Jump to content

G. B. Hodge Center

Coordinates: 34°59′48″N 81°58′08″W / 34.996696°N 81.968774°W / 34.996696; -81.968774
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
G. B. Hodge Center
Map
Coordinates34°59′48″N 81°58′08″W / 34.996696°N 81.968774°W / 34.996696; -81.968774
OwnerUniversity of South Carolina Upstate
OperatorUniversity of South Carolina Upstate
Capacity878
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 14, 1972[1]
OpenedJanuary 10, 1973[3]
Renovated2000, 2010
Construction cost$1 million[1]
($6.86 million in 2023 dollars[2])
ArchitectLockwood, Greene & Co.[1]
General contractorThreatt–Maxwell Construction Company[1]
Tenants
USC Upstate Spartans
UNC Asheville Bulldogs (2024)

G. B. Hodge Center is an 878-seat multi-purpose arena in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is home to the USC Upstate Spartans' basketball and volleyball teams. It was opened in 1973 and is named for one of the university's founders.[4]

In terms of seating capacity, the G. B. Hodge Center is the smallest arena in Division I men's basketball.

History

[edit]

The G. B. Hodge Center hosted its first-ever top-25 ranked opponent when it welcomed the No. 25-ranked Furman Paladins on December 8, 2018. The matchup between the Spartans and the Paladins was also the first time that USC Upstate had hosted a top-25 opponent since becoming an NCAA Division I program during the 2007–08 season. With 353 teams currently competing in NCAA Division I men's basketball, it also marked the first time that the division's smallest arena had hosted a ranked opponent. Although leading 34–30 at halftime, the Spartans ultimately fell to the Paladins, 74–60.

The Hodge Center served as a temporary home for UNC Asheville's volleyball team after their campus sustained damage from Hurricane Helene.[5]

Renovations

[edit]

In October 2009, it was announced that the G. B. Hodge Center would undergo a large renovation thanks to the $4 million donation from alumnus Dolores Anderson. Anderson is a longtime fan of the University of South Carolina Upstate basketball team, particularly the men's team. She is the former co owner of Anderson Hardwood Company. This gift is the largest donation to the university athletic department and second largest ever to the university. Plans for the new arena include brand new floors, lighting, scoreboards, locker rooms, and seating. The university believes that the new renovation will help move into a second renovation later that would create a new entrance and new athletic department offices.[6]

The newly renovated facility was dedicated on December 5, 2010, against East Tennessee State.[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Gov. John West to Visit USC-S for Groundbreaking Ceremonies". The Carolinian. University of South Carolina at Spartanburg. February 8, 1972. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "The Rifles Open the Hodge, 1973". University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics. May 28, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  4. ^ Hodge Center - Facilities Archived 2018-12-20 at the Wayback Machine USC Upstate Spartans website
  5. ^ Unkown. "Volleyball's Season Resumes This Weekend in Spartanburg". UNCA Bulldogs. The University of North Carolina at Asheville. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  6. ^ "USC Upstate Announces $4 Million Gift For Hodge Center Renovation". University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics. October 14, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Rothschild, Will (December 5, 2010). "Spartans Dedicate Hodge Upgrade, Honor Donor". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
[edit]