Chaifetz Arena
Chaifetz Arena (/ˈʃeɪfɛts/ SHAY-fets),[4] located on the campus of Saint Louis University, is a 10,600 seat multi-purpose arena in St. Louis, Missouri, that began construction on August 28, 2006 and opened on April 10, 2008.[2]
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| Location | 1 South Compton Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63103 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38.63246°N 90.22797°W |
| Owner | Saint Louis University |
| Operator | Spectra by Comcast Spectacor |
| Capacity | 10,600 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 28, 2006[1] |
| Opened | April 10, 2008[2] |
| Construction cost | $80.5 million ($95.6 million in 2019 dollars[3]) |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs Mackey Mitchell Associates |
| Structural engineer | Alper Audi, Inc. |
| General contractor | Clayco Construction |
| Tenants | |
| Saint Louis Billikens (NCAA Division I) (2008–present) | |
| Website | |
| http://thechaifetzarena.com/ | |
In February 2007, Chicago-based businessman Richard Chaifetz, CEO of ComPsych Corporation and 1975 graduate of SLU, made a $12 million donation to the university, which named the arena in his honor.
Since the 2008–09 season, it has been the home of the Saint Louis University men's and women's basketball teams. Additionally, the attached Chaifetz Pavilion includes a two-court basketball and volleyball practice facility that also serves as an 800-seat venue that is the home for the university's volleyball teams.[5] The arena, known as "the Jewel of Midtown," includes a three-story athletic office. Chaifetz Arena has been called by former VCU coach Shaka Smart as the toughest venue to play in the Atlantic 10 Conference.[6]
Men's basketball record at Chaifetz Arena
| Year | Conference record | Record overall | Winning Percentage | Head Coach | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | 6-2 | 14-3 | .824 | Rick Majerus | 7,627 |
| 2009–2010 | 6-2 | 18-4 | .818 | Rick Majerus | 7,149 |
| 2010–2011 | 4-4 | 9-7 | .563 | Rick Majerus | 6,299 |
| 2011–2012 | 7-1 | 15-1 | .938 | Rick Majerus | 7,757 |
| 2012–2013 | 7-1 | 17-2 | .895 | Jim Crews | 7,673 |
| 2013–2014 | 6-2 | 14-3 | .824 | Jim Crews | 8,428 |
| 2014-2015 | 3-6 | 9-9 | .500 | Jim Crews | 7,032 |
| 2015-2016 | 3-6 | 7-11 | .389 | Jim Crews | 6,757 |
| 2016-2017 | 5-4 | 10-8 | .556 | Travis Ford | 5,593 |
| 2017-2018 | 6-3 | 12-6 | .667 | Travis Ford | 6,235 |
| 2018-2019 | 7-2 | 15-2 | .882 | Travis Ford | 6,890 |
| 2019-2020 | 7-2 | 15-3 | .833 | Travis Ford | 6,880 |
| TOTALS | 67-35 | 155-59 | .724 |
Events
The first event held at the venue was a Harlem Globetrotters game against the Washington Generals, played on April 11, 2008.[7]
Barry Manilow performed the inaugural concert at Chaifetz Arena on April 25, 2008.
The first student concert was held on April 26, 2008 featuring artists Tyler Hilton, Chingy, The Starting Line, Jo Dee Messina, and Augustana.
Saint Louis University held its first commencement ceremony on campus in 60 years at the arena on May 17, 2008. Fox Sports personality and native St. Louisan Joe Buck delivered the Commencement Address.
The first political rally at the Arena was on October 2, 2008, for Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She appeared to supporters after the 2008 Vice Presidential debate held at Washington University in St. Louis.[8]
FIRST Robotics has held its St. Louis FRC Regional at Chaifetz Arena for several years.
American Idols Live! made its Chaifetz Arena debut in 2009, having previously been held at the Enterprise Center (2002) and Family Arena (2003-2008). Chaifetz Arena also became the St. Louis stop for Champions on Ice and Cirque du Soleil, also in 2009.
The USA Gymnastics Championships occurred June 7–10, 2012 at the Chaifetz Arena.
The building has become a popular concert venue when not hosting basketball, as its urban location, modest but substantial capacity and lack of a professional sports tenant (unlike Enterprise Center) mean that it can have more flexibility to attract touring talent. Migos, The Black Keys, Phish and Sturgill Simpson have all played Chaifetz amongst many others.
TNA broadcast Impact! from here in September 2013.
March 6, 2016 Bruce Springsteen performed to the largest sold-out crowd in the building's history with 10,247 sold tickets.
The 2016 Men's U.S. Olympic Trials and P&G Gymnastics Championships were held at Chaifetz Arena June 23–26, 2016. The 2018 SEC Gymnastics championships were held at the arena.
WWE held its first show there on July 21, 2018.
League of Legends North American LCS spring finals was held on April 13, 2019 at the Chaifetz Arena.[9]
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) held their April 8, 2020, episode of AEW Dynamite at the arena.
David Meyer is the AV Coordinator. [10]
References
- Chaifetz Arena - SLUBillikens.com
- Johnson, Kevin C. (April 10, 2013). "Chaifetz Arena Celebrates 5th Anniversary". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Allen, Matt. "Clayco, Mackey Mitchell finish SLU's Chaifetz Arena," St. Louis Business Journal, March 9, 2008.
- http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205246206/
- Durando, Stu (October 14, 2014). "SLU Notes: SLU's Glaze Out with Dislocated Shoulder". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- MyFox St. Louis | New Chaifetz Arena Opens With Globetrotters Archived 2013-01-29 at Archive.today
- Palin Supporters in St. Louis Hold VP Debate Watch Party | ksdk.com | St. Louis, MO
- https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/01/2019-lcs-spring-finals-will-be-held-in-st-louis/
- http://thechaifetzarena.com/our-team