Yet the story of Gonzaga University basketball is the stuff dreams are made of. The little school from the Pacific Northwest that played in a 2,000-seat gymnasium rocked the basketball establishment in the late 1990s with upset win after upset win in the NCAA Tournament.
Today, every basketball fan knows Gonzaga, and the Zags opened this season in a new arena that matches their status as one of the nation’s elite programs. The design team – Ellerbe Becket, ALSC Architects and Garco Construction – went to great lengths to ensure that the new McCarthey Athletic Center has the same kind of intimacy and excitement as the old Martin Centre, known affectionately as the “Kennel.”
While McCarthey can accommodate 4,000 more spectators than the Martin Centre, the seating was designed with a steep pitch to allow fans to be close to the action. The new facility boasts the same atmosphere as the Kennel, and athletic officials believe the Zags now have an even greater home-court advantage.
“Just look around right now,” Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Few told the crowd at the McCarthey Center grand opening. “This place is unbelievable…this is absolutely the nicest venue to play college basketball in the United States right now.”
It’s the largest endowment and construction initiative in Gonzaga’s 117-year history. Primarily a venue for college basketball, McCarthey also has the capacity to host special events such as commencement ceremonies and concerts, providing entertainment and value to the entire Spokane community. It’s attached to the Martin Centre to allow easy access to facilities in both buildings.
An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket is a leader in architecture, engineering and the construction industry with office locations worldwide.
Contact: news@ellerbebecket.com
