Chattanooga Women's Basketball Camps
Facilities / Directions
McKenzie Arena
The McKenzie Arena, originally named the UTC Arena, was officially dedicated in December, 1982. Its construction is the result of a cooperative venture between the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, The University of Tennessee and the State of Tennessee.
The 210,000-square-foot, $15.5 million multipurpose complex is home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's basketball teams. It also houses UTC's wrestling practice area, training room, athletic administrative offices, coaches offices and locker rooms for football, wrestling and men's and women's basketball.
The Arena was renamed The McKenzie Arena on Feb. 21, 2000 after a generous donation from supporters Toby McKenzie and Brenda Lawson of Cleveland, Tenn. The Arena's longtime nickname "The Roundhouse" came about because of the facility's round shape, but also because of the railroad tradition in the city. The building that housed the mechanism to turn locomotives around when it reached the terminal was known as the roundhouse.
The 10,928-seat Arena has two state-of-the-art video boards that enhance the fan experience at every men's and women's basketball home game. Expanded courtside seating and the "Gold Circle" provide fans with an excellent vantage to catch all of the action on the court.
The Arena has also supplied some major entertainment acts for the city of Chattanooga. In addition to ice shows, rodeos and circuses, the Arena has also set a stage for such performers as Elton John, Barry Manilow, Cher, Billy Joel and Alabama. Kenny Rogers was the building's first event, performing for a crowd of 12,000 on Oct. 8, 1982.
The Arena's most recent events have been concerts by Aerosmith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Shania Twain, Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood and many other national acts.
McKenzie Arena will serve as the host location for the Southern Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments in March 2011. It is the third time in the last seven seasons the Mocs have hosted the conference tournament, including 2005 and 2009.
Lady Mocs Dominance in the McKenzie Arena
The first game for the Lady Mocs in McKenzie Arena was an 88-81 win over Clemson on Feb. 13, 1984. Overall, UTC has posted an amazing 158-33 (.827) record in the Roundhouse. Even more impressive is the .860 winning percentage (135-22) posted by the Lady Mocs during the 12 years of the Wes Moore era.
Chattanooga women's basketball started playing all of its home games in the arena in the 1998-99 season. Since then they have had crowds of 4,000+ seven times, including a school-record 10,051 against Tennessee on Nov. 19, 2004.
The Lady Mocs have led the Southern Conference in average home attendance each year since moving to the McKenzie Arena. In 2009-10, they averaged 2,043 fans per game, over 1,000 more than the next closest SoCon school.
The McKenzie Arena has twice hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The Lady Mocs knocked off Rutgers in the first round of the 2004 tournament on their home floor. Over 6,000 fans saw one of the biggest wins in school history and Chattanooga also served as a host site for the 2009 tournament.
Directions to the McKenzie Arena
From Atlanta
Take I-75 North to I-24 West to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C). Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street. The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Birmingham
Take I-59 North to I-24 East to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C.) Stay on 4th Street. Turn right on Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Knoxville
Take I-75 South to I-24 West to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C). Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street. The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Memphis
Take I-40 East to Nashville. Pick up I-440 loop to I-24 East. Take I-24 East to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C). Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street. The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Nashville
Take I-24 East to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C).
Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street. The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.