Cox Arena
| Cox Arena |
Location: 5500 Canyon Crest Drive Owner(s): San Diego State University Operator San Diego State University Tenant(s): San Diego State Aztecs (1997-present) Cost: $29 million USD Architect: Carrier Johnson Capacity: 12,414 |
Cox Arena, located on the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus in San Diego, California, USA, is the home of the SDSU Aztecs' basketball teams. Built in 1997, it seats 12,414 for basketball and up to 12,845 for concerts. Cox Arena also hosts SDSU's commencement ceremonies. Previously, the Aztecs played at Peterson Gym.
The SDSU men's basketball team plays at Cox Arena. In 2006 the team was the Mountain West Conference regular season champion, won the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament, advanced to the NCAA tournament, and sent two players to the All-Conference team.
Cox Arena was built on the site of the old "Aztec Bowl" stadium (a Works Progress Administration project) on the SDSU campus, and the university (or its affiliated corporation) still owns the arena. Site of many events including those just mentioned, it was named for Cox Communications, which owns the local cable television system in the greater San Diego regional area, and which paid fees to become the arena's corporate sponsor. The arena's official name is Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl.
The Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl hosted the NCAA Tournament first and second rounds in 2006. It has once before played host in 2001. In the 2006 tourney, the first round was delayed and the building evacuated due to a bomb-sniffing dog picking up scents of a potentially dangerous substance. These fears were unfounded, however, and play went on as scheduled, albeit delayed.
It has also hosted WCW Bash at the Beach in 1998, and in 2007 will be the home of the San Diego Shockwave indoor football team.
