Charles Koch Arena

Charles Koch Arena
The Roundhouse
Former names	University of Wichita Field House (1955–1964) WSU Field House (1964–1969) Levitt Arena (1969–2003)
Location	Wichita State University
Built	1953
Opened	December 3, 1955
Renovated	2002–2003
Owner	Wichita State University
Operator	Wichita State University
Construction cost	$1.4 million (original construction) $25 million (renovation)
Capacity	10,506
Tenants
Wichita State Shockers men's basketball (NCAA) (1955–2002, 2003–present)

Charles Koch Arena (pronounced "coke"), popularly known as The Roundhouse, is a 10,506-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. It is home to the Wichita State Shockers men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams.

History

The arena was originally built in 1953 as the University of Wichita Field House. It was considered several years ahead of its time because of its circular design, which gave nearly every fan a clear sight line and put the seats very close to the action. As a result, it was quickly nicknamed "The Roundhouse," a name that has stuck to this day. When Wichita State joined the state university system in 1964, the arena was renamed the WSU Field House.

In 1969, the arena was officially renamed Levitt Arena after Henry Levitt who had just died. Levitt's Wichita clothing store sponsored basketball team won three consecutive national Amateur Athletic Union titles in the 1930s at a time when colleges and corporate-sponsored teams competed in the same tournament.

Endowment

Following a $6 million endowment from Charles G. Koch^[1] the arena underwent a $25 million renovation in 2002-03, popularly known as the "Roundhouse Renaissance." The old arena concourse was completely demolished and a new one built around the original playing/seating area. A portion of the seating bowl was remodeled to make for more legroom. All new seating was installed as well as a video scoreboard, and virtually every surface that was not renovated was given a fresh coat of paint. The Shocker basketball teams played at the Kansas Coliseum for the 2002-03 season while the arena was rebuilt.

Recent Years

Koch Arena hosted the 2008 Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 6A state wrestling tournament. The arena also hosts numerous high school basketball games involving schools from the Wichita City League. The KSHSAA Class 6A boys and girls basketball state tournaments will move to Koch Arena from Emporia State University's White Auditorium starting in 2011. As Levitt Arena it hosted the 1977 and 1989 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament title game.

References

1. ^ KOCH GIVES $6 MILLION TO UPDATE WSU ARENA -- THE DONATION, THE LARGEST IN THE UNIVERSITY'S HISTORY, HELPS MAKE POSSIBLE A COMPLETE RENOVATION OF LEVITT ARENA, WHICH WILL REOPEN AS KOCH ARENA IN 2003 - Wichita Eagle - November 1, 2000

Official athletic site

Coordinates: 37°43′18″N 97°17′51″W / 37.72167°N 97.2975°W / 37.72167; -97.2975