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University Sports Complex

Coordinates: 29°56′15.2″N 90°7′11.8″W / 29.937556°N 90.119944°W / 29.937556; -90.119944
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
University Sports Complex
The Den
Entrance to the complex
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 Athletics
TypeArena
Capacity500
SurfaceMulti-surface
Current useBasketball
Volleyball
Swimming
Construction
Opened1987; 38 years ago (1987)
Renovated2017
Tenants
Loyola Wolf Pack (NAIA) teams:
basketball, volleyball, swimming

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

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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

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It is home to the Loyola Wolf Pack basketball, swimming, and volleyball teams (men's/women's in all cases).[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

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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]

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See also

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References

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  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.
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