University Sports Complex
The Den
Map
LocationNew Orleans, LA
Coordinates29°56′15.2″N 90°7′11.8″W / 29.937556°N 90.119944°W / 29.937556; -90.119944
OwnerLoyola University New Orleans
OperatorLoyola University New Orleans
Capacity500
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Opened1987
Renovated2017
Tenants
Loyola Wolf Pack men's basketball (NAIA)
Loyola Wolf Pack women's basketball (NAIA)
Loyola Wolf Pack men's swimming (NAIA)
Loyola Wolf Pack women's swimming (NAIA)
Loyola Wolf Pack women's volleyball (NAIA)

The University Sports Complex or The Den is a 500-seat multi-purpose arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, on the campus of Loyola University New Orleans.[1] It was formerly called the Recreational Sports Complex or Rec Plex.

History

The facility opened in 1987 and was paid for with a donation from Freeport-McMoRan. The complex is located on the fifth and sixth floors of the Freret Street parking garage structure.[2] It was built on the same site as the former Loyola Field House.

In 2017, the facility went through a major renovation, including new floor paint, new grandstands and more.[3][4] The facility sustained major damage during Hurricane Ida in 2021 forcing the basketball teams to play across the street at Tulane University's Devlin Fieldhouse for portions of the 2021-2022 season.[5][6]

Athletic teams

It is home to the Loyola Wolf Pack men's basketball, women's basketball, men's swimming, women's swimming and women's volleyball teams.[2][7] The facility offers both men's and women's locker rooms for the teams. The facility also houses the offices for the Wolf Pack Athletics Department.

Recreational sports

The University Sports Complex also serves as the student recreation center.[8] The facility offers multi-purpose courts used for badminton, basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball.[1] It also has a racquetball court, a six-lane Olympic-style pool, a suspended track, a weightlifting/conditioning area, a whirlpool, sauna and steam room.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "About Intercollegiate Athletics & University Sports Complex". loyno.edu. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  2. ^ a b Martone, Laura (26 January 2016). Moon New Orleans. New York, NY: Avalon Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 978-1631211720. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  3. ^ "Loyola gets $1.5M donation for sports facility renovation". neworleanscitybusiness.com. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  4. ^ "First NBC Bank and its donation of $1.5 million". The Maroon. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  5. ^ "Loyola New Orleans wins NAIA title for first national basketball championship in 77 years". Catholic Review. 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  6. ^ snoadmin; Berniard, Jabez (2021-09-29). "University Sports Complex prepared to reopen after storm damage". The Maroon. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  7. ^ "Facilities". loyolawolfpack.com. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  8. ^ Spencer, Janet (April 2004). Visiting College Campuses. Framingham, MA: The Princeton Review. p. 139. ISBN 9780375764004. Retrieved January 13, 2018.

External links


Loyola University New Orleans
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