John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center

John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center
Map
LocationCampbell University
Buies Creek, NC 27506
Coordinates35°24′28″N 78°44′12″W / 35.407905°N 78.736696°W / 35.407905; -78.736696
OwnerCampbell University
OperatorCampbell University
Capacity3,095
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
Broke groundSeptember 1, 2007
OpenedOctober 17, 2008
Construction cost$34 million[1]
($48.1 million in 2023 dollars[2])
ArchitectLittle Diversified Architectural Consulting
General contractorT.A. Loving Company[3]
Tenants
Campbell Fighting Camels

The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center is a multi-purpose arena in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The arena, Gore Arena, is located on the campus of Campbell University and hosts the university's basketball, volleyball, and wrestling programs. It is named for Gilbert Craig Gore, the late son of a Campbell alum. The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center is a part of the expansion plan of Campbell's athletic facilities, which includes a new football stadium and renovations to existing Taylor Field of the baseball program. The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center replaced Carter Gymnasium, which was the second smallest gymnasium in Division I Basketball with just 947 seats, second only to Charleston Southern's Fieldhouse which holds 750. The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center also host events such as the universities commencement ceremonies and other university related events.

The Pope Convocation Center played host to the 2016 Big South Conference men's basketball tournament, taking place March 3–6 of that year.[4] It will once again host the quarterfinal and semifinals of the conference tournament in 2019.[needs update] In November 2023, the basketball court was dedicated to longtime coach and administrator Wanda Watkins.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Tony Delp - Campbell Athletics
  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. ^ Grand Opening & Dedication of Campbell University Convocation Center
  4. ^ Payne, Marilyn (November 4, 2015). "Camels to host 2016 Big South Men's Basketball Championship". WRALSportsFan.com. Retrieved November 8, 2015.