Jan. 28, 2006
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced today he is pledging $15 million to improving athletics facilities at the University of New Mexico. The focal point of Richardson’s capital outlay is $8 million for the renovation, modernization and expansion of The Pit/Bob King Court. The venerable arena is currently in its 40th year of existence.
Additionally, Richardson said $6 million will be provided to construct an indoor workout complex for Lobo football and other Olympic sports, while $1 million is targeted to build lockerrooms and meetings rooms for men’s and women’s soccer.
The preliminary scope of work at The Pit includes the expansion of the north, east and west concourses. The north concourse will house a new entrance, ticket office and Lobo Store.
The expansion of the east and west concourses will provide new restrooms and concessions areas and easier mobility for fans.
Richardson said he would like to see the project at The Pit completed in the next two years.
“It has been almost 23 years since Jim Valvano and North Carolina State won the national championship in The Pit,” said Gov. Richardson. “If it is to continue to be one of the best arenas in college basketball, it has to be updated, and this is the first step in that effort. The Pit is nearly 40 years old. This money will be used to provide fan conveniences that have become necessary to continue UNM’s storied history with NCAA men’s and women’s tournament games.
“The football and soccer programs need these facilities, too. Rocky Long has done an outstanding job with Lobo football and the men’s soccer team led by (head coach) Jeremy Fishbein took us all the way to the national championship game last year. It was very exciting.”
The new indoor facility for football and Olympic sports is expected to be built on one of the football practice fields south of University Stadium. Construction of the soccer facility would be at the south end of the existing track and soccer complex.
“One of the last things Con Colbert (UNM deputy athletics director) and I wanted to see happen before we retired was a renovation plan for The Pit,” said University of New Mexico director of athletics Rudy Davalos. “Governor Richardson’s extremely generous commitment to not only the arena, but to the indoor facility and soccer facility, has made this possible. The modernization of The Pit is a benefit not only to Lobo athletics and our fans, but to the entire state of New Mexico. It will greatly enhance the state boy’s and girl’s high school basketball tournaments, NCAA basketball tournaments that UNM plans to host, plus other events like concerts and shows.”
UNM has hosted NCAA men’s tournament action nine times, highlighted by the 1983 Final Four won by North Carolina State over Houston. The Pit also served as a host venue for the 1968, ’78, ’92, 2000 and `05 regionals, and the 1985, ’96 and 2002 first and second rounds.
“This is an exciting project for the University of New Mexico, which has served as host to numerous NCAA basketball tournament memories,” said Tom Jernstedt, Executive Vice-President of the NCAA. “The NCAAhas enjoyed its past experience withUNM, the city of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico and we look forward to learning more about the plans.”
The Pit was the site of the 2003 NCAA Women’s First and Second Rounds and the Midwest Regional when tournament attendance records were shattered. A total of 32,365 fans were on hand for the first and second rounds three years ago, followed by 28,595 for the regional the following week. UNM also hosted a women’s regional in 2004 while the 2006 Albuquerque Regional is scheduled for March 25 and 27. The women’s first and second rounds will return in 2008.
Additionally, UNM recently submitted a bid to host the NCAA men’s and/or women’s basketball tournaments in 2009 and/or 2010.
“The NMAA and its member schools are excited about the renovation and expansion of The Pit,” said Gary Tripp, Executive Director of the New Mexico Activities Association. “The Pit serves as an important aspect of high school basketball in New Mexico and it is great to see that improvements are going to be made. The Pit is the host of the high school state basketball tournament and the renovation will only help to make the tournament more exciting and appealing for athletes and spectators.”
The Pit was built 40 years ago in a 37-foot hole on Albuquerque’s southeast mesa. First the roof was constructed, then the hole was dug and the arena built. The unique Behlen roof (338 by 300 feet) was set up by contractors and then 55,000 cubic yards of earth were removed. About 28,000 yards of concrete were poured in the initial construction, which allowed a seating capacity of 14,831. The cost was an incredibly economical $1.4 million.
Arena expansion was undertaken when it became apparent that fan interest was too great even for the original structure. The expansion in 1975 cost $2.2 million and involved the extension of a cantilevered deck above the existing facility. There are six rows in the mezzanine level, with a seating capacity of 2,300. Reserved standing-room-only spots increase The Pit’s capacity to 18,018.
The playing floor of The Pit was officially named Bob King Court on Oct. 2, 1992, in honor of the late UNM men’s coach who led the program to prominence in the 1960s. It was that success that led to the construction of The Pit.
The Rudy Davalos Basketball Center, a new practice facility and coaches’ office for UNM men’s and women’s basketball, was finished earlier this year. Gov. Bill Richardson provided $4.2 million for the project.
The 2005-06 season is the 40th year that The Pit has served as the home of Lobo basketball. The first game was played Dec. 1, 1966, with the New Mexico men defeating Abilene Christian, 62-53. Through Jan. 7, 2006, a total of 699 men’s games have been played in the building. The Lobos have come away the victor in 566 of those for a stunning .810 winning percentage.
What is even more impressive about UNM’s home court is that nearly 11 million fans have flocked into the sunken edifice to see their beloved Lobos play basketball. New Mexico has averaged more than 15,650 fans a game, an amazing 97% of capacity, and placed in the top-15 in the nation in average attendance every year since the arena opened.
The New Mexico women’s basketball team has enjoyed overwhelming success in The Pit as well. Over the past 10-plus seasons under current head coach Don Flanagan, the Lobo women have compiled a home record of 154-32 (.826), including a 66-9 (.877) mark in conference games. UNM has placed in the top-10 in national average attendance each of the past seven seasons, including more than 10,600 a game since 2002-03.
The Lobos’ homecourt advantage at The Pit is currently in full force for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The men have won 21 straight at home, while the UNM women have prevailed in 30 consecutive Mountain West Conference home games going into tonight’s game against UNLV.