Frank Erwin Center

Frank Erwin Center
The Drum
Map
Full nameFrank C. Erwin Jr. Special Events Center
Former namesSpecial Events Center (1977–1980)
Address1701 Red River Street
LocationAustin, Texas
Coordinates30°16′37″N 97°43′56″W / 30.2770°N 97.7322°W / 30.2770; -97.7322
OwnerUniversity of Texas at Austin
OperatorUniversity of Texas at Austin
Capacity17,900 (center stage) (concert)
16,540 (basketball, 2013–present)
7,820 (theatre)
Record attendanceJohn Denver 17,829
SurfaceTerrazzo floor/portable basketball floor/portable turf
Construction
Broke groundAugust 1974
OpenedNovember 29, 1977
Renovated2001
Expanded2003
ClosedMay 21, 2022
DemolishedNovember 2023 – May 19, 2024
Construction cost$34 million (original)
($171 million in 2023 dollars[1])
$55 million (renovations/expansion)
ArchitectWilson, Crain & Anderson

Heery International (renovations/expansion)
Structural engineerWalter P Moore[2]
General contractorH.A. Lott Inc.
Tenants
Texas Longhorns (NCAA) (1977–2022)
Austin Wranglers (AFL/af2) (2004–2008)

The Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center (originally Special Events Center) was a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas. It was also sometimes referred to as "The Drum" or "The Superdrum", owing to its round, drum-like appearance from outside (not to be confused with Big Bertha, the large bass drum used by the University of Texas marching band).

The multi-purpose facility hosted entertainment events and was the home court for the Texas Longhorns men's and women's basketball programs until 2022, when it was replaced by the Moody Center. The Erwin Center was located at the southeastern corner of the UT central campus and was bounded on the east by Interstate 35.

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Arenas". Walter P Moore. Archived from the original on July 8, 2000. Retrieved November 10, 2013.