Sports in Norfolk, Virginia

Club Sport League Venue Norfolk Tides Baseball International League Harbor Park Norfolk Admirals Ice Hockey American Hockey League Norfolk Scope Old Dominion University Football Colonial Athletic Association Foreman Field Old Dominion University Basketball Colonial Athletic Association Constant Center Norfolk State University Football Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Dick Price Stadium Norfolk State University Basketball Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Echols Hallcite web|url=http://www.norfolkadmirals.com/|title=Norfolk Admirals|accessdate=2008-02-16] cite web|url=http://www.norfolktides.com/|title=Norfolk Tides|accessdate=2008-02-16] cite web|url=http://odusports.cstv.com/|title=ODU Monarchs|accessdate=2008-02-16] cite web|url=http://www.nsuspartans.com/|title=NSU Spartans|accessdate=2008-02-16]

History

From 1970 to 1976, Norfolk served as home court (along with Hampton, Richmond and Roanoke) for the Virginia Squires regional professional basketball franchise of the now-defunct American Basketball Association (ABA). From 1970 to 1971, the Squires played their Norfolk home games at the Old Dominion University Fieldhouse. In November 1971, the Virginia Squires played their Norfolk home games at the new Norfolk Scope arena, until the team and the ABA league folded in May 1976. [cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/Virginia-Squires.html|title=Remember the ABA - Virginia Squires Page|accessdate=2007-10-03]

In 1971, Norfolk built the region's first entertainment and sports complex, featuring Chrysler Hall and the 13,800-seat Norfolk Scope indoor arena, located in the northern section of downtown. Norfolk Scope has served as a venue for major events. On January 30, 1974, the city hosted its first professional basketball all-star game, courtesy of the American Basketball Association, at the Norfolk Scope. 10,624 spectators were in attendance, as Artis Gilmore won Most Valuable Player of this professional sports event. [cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/ABAAllStarGames/AllStar.html|title=Remember the ABA, All Star Games|accessdate=2007-10-03] On March 29, 1982, Norfolk hosted the first NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship (also known as the Women's Final Four). The Norfolk Scope served as the chief venue for the event. 9,531 spectators were in attendance at this inaugural event. [cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1244/1982-bracket.html|title=1982 NCAA National Championship Tournament|accessdate=2007-03-29] On April 3, 1983, Norfolk hosted the second NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship at the Norfolk Scope. 7,837 spectators were in attendance.cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1244/1983-bracket.html|title=1983 Tournament|accessdate=2007-03-29]

In April 1993, the 12,067-seat Harbor Park baseball stadium opens, hosting the Norfolk Tides Triple-A minor league baseball team. Designed by HOK Sport, it was instantly acclaimed as one of the best minor league ballparks in America, and received the honor of best minor league park in 1995 by "Baseball America." Also, despite worries that a new downtown park would not draw fans from the region's other cities, Harbor Park continually posts one of the best attendance records in minor league baseball, and certainly far higher than at their previous stadium, Met Park.cite web
url = http://www.norfolktides.com/ballpark/
title = Harbor Park
accessdate = 2007-10-10
format = HTML
publisher = Harbor Park
language = English]

Championships

The former Hampton Roads Admirals have three championships in the ECHL.

Collegiate Sports

Old Dominion Monarchs and the Norfolk State Spartans play in NCAA Division I while the Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins play in NCAA Division III.cite web|url=http://odusports.cstv.com/|title=ODU Monarchs|accessdate=2008-02-16] cite web|url=http://www.nsuspartans.com/|title=NSU Spartans|accessdate=2008-02-16] cite web|url=http://www.vwc.edu/athletics/|title=VWC Marlins|accessdate=2008-02-16]

References