Dahlberg Arena

University of Montana
Dahlberg Arena
"The Fieldhouse"
Basketball court in 2006
Map
Former namesHarry Adams Field House (1966–1999)
UM Field House (1953–1966)
LocationUniversity of Montana
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, Montana
Coordinates46°51′50″N 113°58′59″W / 46.864°N 113.983°W / 46.864; -113.983
OwnerUniversity of Montana
OperatorUniversity of Montana
Capacity7,321 (basketball)
5,500 (concerts)
SurfaceWood
Construction
Broke ground1951
OpenedDecember 18, 1953 [3]
Renovated1999
Construction cost$800,000 [1]
($9.11 million in 2023 dollars[2])
$14.7 million (1999 renovation)
($26.9 million in 2023 dollars[2])
Tenants
University of Montana Grizzlies (NCAA)

Dahlberg Arena is a 7,321-seat multi-purpose arena in the western United States, located on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula.[4] The arena opened in 1953 and is home to the Montana Grizzlies and Lady Griz basketball teams. It has hosted the Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament five times: 1978, 1991, 1992, 2000, and 2012.

Opened in late 1953,[1][3][5] the field house was named for newly retired track coach Harry Adams in June 1966.[6] In the 1980s, Adams Field House seated over 9,000 and was known as the toughest arena for visiting teams in the Big Sky due to its belligerent crowd and (at one time) tartan flooring,[7][8] and also enjoyed a national reputation.[9] Its laminated wood arches were constructed in Portland, Oregon.[10] The elevation of the floor is approximately 3,200 feet (980 m) above sea level.

Alumnus George P. (Jiggs) Dahlberg[11] was head coach of the Grizzlies from 1937 to 1955 and retired as athletic director in 1961.[12][13] He was one of four brothers known as "The Four Norseman of Butte" who competed in athletics for the Griz.[11]

The arena can be configured to seat 5,500 people for a traditionally staged concert or can use all of the seats for a concert with a central stage. It has hosted many concerts, including Pearl Jam, Grateful Dead, Gym Class Heroes, Rascal Flatts, and Macklemore.[14]

  1. ^ a b "Montana to play Vandals tonight". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). December 11, 1953. p. 16.
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Montana is licked in dedication game". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). December 19, 1953. p. 8.
  4. ^ "GoGriz.com - The Official Athletic site of The University of Montana Grizzlies - Facilities". Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  5. ^ "Montana hopes to baptize gym". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 2, 1953. p. 16.
  6. ^ "Field House named for Coach Adams". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). June 7, 1966. p. 6.
  7. ^ Devlin, Vince (January 13, 1983). "Nobody but Grizzlies likes to play in Adams Field House". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 26.
  8. ^ Devlin, Vince (January 17, 1984). "Trumbo discovers feeding time at The Zoo". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. C2.
  9. ^ Finder, Chuck (November 27, 1987). "There's no place like these basketball homes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 19.
  10. ^ "Huge arches to support University of Montana Fieldhouse". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (photo). July 24, 1953. p. 6.
  11. ^ a b "Montana legend Dahlberg dies at 93". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). wire reports. September 20, 1993. p. C5.
  12. ^ Devlin, Vince (January 12, 1961). "Montana's Dahlberg to end 23-year coaching career". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 17.
  13. ^ Missildine, Harry (July 7, 1961). "After 28 years with Grizzlies". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 18.
  14. ^ Dahlberg Arena - All Concerts | Setlisting