JMU Convocation Center

The Convocation Center, set up for basketball

The JMU Convocation Center is a 6,426-seat multi-purpose arena in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The arena opened in 1982,[1] and was home to the James Madison Dukes men's basketball and James Madison Dukes women's basketball teams through the 2019–20 season. It hosted the 1984 ECAC South men's basketball tournament (now known as the Colonial Athletic Association).[2]

It was one of the rotating host venues for the CAA women's basketball tournament, having hosted the tournament six times since 1987.[3] JMU's University Program Board (UPB) hosts concerts at the Convocation center each semester. Past concerts have included: The Kinks,[4] Third Eye Blind,[5] Jason Derulo, Wale,[6] Wiz Khalifa,[7] Macklemore,[8] and Big Sean.[9] The Convocation Center also hosts numerous other functions including the winter commencement ceremony.[10]

The Convocation Center hosted its last basketball games in February 2020.[1] The Dukes moved into the 8,500-seat Atlantic Union Bank Center for the 2020–21 season.[11] The Convocation Center was converted into practice facilities and home court for the Dukes' Women's Volleyball team.[12]

  1. ^ a b "WHSV Sports Presents: The history of the JMU Convocation Center". Harrisonburg, VA: WHSV-TV. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  2. ^ "1983-84 Richmond Spiders Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  3. ^ Terry, Aaron. "JMU Convocation Center – James Madison Dukes | Stadium Journey". Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  4. ^ "The Breeze Front Page, April 1 1985 (PDF)".
  5. ^ Breeze, The. "UPB brings '90s band Third Eye Blind to the Convocation Center this fall". The Breeze. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  6. ^ Breeze, The. "Mash-Up Magic". The Breeze. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  7. ^ Peters, Kelsey. "Wiz casts hip-hop spell: Hip-hop's latest mega-star Wiz Khalifa plays to adoring crowd at sold out Convocation Center". The Breeze. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  8. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Take a "Victory Lap"". info.jmu.edu. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  9. ^ Breeze, Holly Warfield | The. "Big Sean sells out Convocation Center with UPB spring concert". The Breeze. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  10. ^ Hood, John. "JMU graduates largest December class". www.whsv.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  11. ^ Driver, David. "Convo Center Has Been JMU's Hoop Haven". Daily News-Record. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  12. ^ Basheda, Ingrid (April 13, 2017). "JMU to replace Convocation Center". The Breeze. Harrisonburg, VA. Retrieved March 29, 2020.