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Home of SDSU Basketball
The Aztecs' dream of moving basketball into a state-of-the-art facility on the San Diego State campus became a reality last season with the opening of Cox Arena. This brand new facility is equipped with many of the latest innovations and features state-of-the-art technology that makes it one of the premier collegiate arenas in the nation..
The project is primarily a two-building complex. It includes a 76,000 square foot recreation center in addition to a 12,000-seat multi-purpose arena plus two smaller classroom and ticket office buildings. These facilities are models of multi-use efficiency that satisfy the current demand for formal and informal recreation space as well as the facility needs of Athletics and Physical Education.
The Cox Arena itself is the home to SDSU Basketball and provides a venue for University functions, cultural events, concerts and other special event programming. It features a unique open-air concourse design that will allow fans to enjoy the excellent San Diego climate and add a new experience to attending arena-type events.
The arena is built on the site of the old Aztec Bowl stadium which hosted San Diego State football games as well as other athletic, entertainment and cultural events from the time of its construction in 1936 until 1967.
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In addition to Aztec basketball contests, Cox Arena has already played host to concerts by such artists as Eric Clapton, Barry Manilow and Aerosmith. In addition, the facility has been utilized for business functions such as the Building Industry Association convention and the Jacor Job Fair.
HISTORICAL SETTING
The area on the north side of the arena reveals the essence of its historic site. Built directly into a canyon hillside, Cox Arena encloses one end of the old horseshoe-shaped Aztec Bowl. Two sections of the stadiums' original concrete bleachers and cobblestone walls frame each side of the arena's north entrance. In addition, the University's 10-ton granite boulder, a California landmark commemorating President John F. Kennedy's 1963 commencement address at Aztec Bowl, has also been placed in this area.
SEATING
Cox Arena seats 12,414 for sporting events. The seating consists of the top nine rows being individual bench seats and the remaining areas being full chair seats. The total seating is approximately 3,935 bench seats and 8,065 full chairs. In the special event/concert configuration there will be approximately 11,500 seats available. All seating configurations are flexible and can be adjusted for a variety of sizes.
SCOREBOARD
The facility features a $1.2 million octagonal scoreboard with video replay capabilities. The board also includes up to date statistical information on individual players.
LOCKER ROOMS
The facility is equipped with a total of seven locker rooms. Two of these locker rooms are complete with team rooms, equipment rooms, and a shared training room. These two areas will house the SDSU men's and women's basketball teams.
VIP LOUNGE
The Mezzanine Level will house a VIP Room for banquets, pre and post-game functions, and other formal and informal gatherings. The room consists of a 2,200 square foot room that can be divided into two rooms of 800 and 1,400 square feet. The 800-square foot area can also serve as an interview room for sporting events.
OFFICES
Permanent offices for the men's and women's basketball coaching staffs are located on the Arena's mezzanine level. Also included in the Arena is office space for the facility management team on the north side
TICKET OFFICE
A ticket office building has been constructed adjoining the Arena concourse. It consists of 1,300 square feet of space with a total of eight windows to serve the patrons' ticketing needs.
PARKING
An eight-story, 2,000-space parking garage is located adjacent to the Arena on the north side, allowing fans easy access to the facility.
Incorporating vestiges of the historic Aztec Bowl Stadium in its design, the new Cox Arena is a standing testimonial to memories of the past and a promise of exciting opportunities for the future.
DIRECTIONS
Exit I-8 at college and go south t Montezuma, then west to 55th street and then right to the first parking structure on the left.