The Vadalabene, The VC | |
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| Full name | Sam M. Vadalabene Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 Circle Drive |
| Location | Edwardsville, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38°47′45.56″N 89°59′59.58″W / 38.7959889°N 89.9998833°W |
| Owner | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
| Operator | SIUE Athletics Department |
| Capacity | 4,000+ |
| Record attendance | 4,392 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 5, 1984 |
| Renovated | 2008, 2014 |
| Expanded | 1993, 2012 |
| Tenants | |
| SIUE Cougars men's & women's basketball, volleyball & wrestling teams | |
The Sam M. Vadalabene Center is a multi-purpose sports and recreation building on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) that features an arena (known as "First Community Arena" for sponsorship reasons) with a seating capacity of just over 4,000. The Vadalabene, which opened in 1984, was named in honor of Illinois State Senator Sam M. Vadalabene (1914–1994),[1] who was a long-time and ardent supporter of the university. The Vad Pad is home to the SIUE Cougars basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams. In addition to the arena, the Vadalabene also houses a swimming pool, classrooms, offices, and several activity areas. The Student Fitness Center (SFC), built in 1993, is immediately adjacent to and an integral part of the venue and contains numerous additional recreational and fitness facilities.
In addition to SIUE athletics, the Vadalabene hosts the university's commencement ceremonies, trade shows, concerts, and sports events sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the Prairie State Games, and the State Games of America. The Vadalabene was host to the 1986 & '87 NCAA Division II wrestling championships[2] which were televised on ESPN. In 2000, the Vad Pad hosted the IHSA class AA sectional semifinals and finals, where future NBA player Darius Miles led East St. Louis High School past Edwardsville High School in the championship game in front of a sold-out crowd. In 2002, rapper Nelly played a concert at the Vadalabene. In May, 2010, the Vadalabene was site for a Guinness World Record--- for most people clicking a pen at one time, despite an attendance of only about 100 at the event.