Convocation Center (Northern Illinois University)

Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...

's Convocation Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena

Arena

An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...

, at 1525 W Lincoln Hwy, in DeKalb, Illinois

DeKalb, Illinois

DeKalb is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 43,862 at the 2010 census, up from 39,018 at the 2000 census. The city is named after decorated German war hero Johann De Kalb, who died during the American Revolutionary War....

, 60115-2854, USA. The arena opened in 2002. The Convocation Center is home to both the Northern Illinois Huskies

Northern Illinois Huskies

The Northern Illinois Huskies are the athletic teams that represent Northern Illinois University. The Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Mid-American Conference...

men's basketball

Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball

The Northern Illinois Huskies Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1996. The Huskies are...

and women's basketball teams, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, and women's indoor track and field squads. Previously, the basketball teams played at the Chick Evans Field House

Chick Evans Field House

The Chick Evans Field House is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena in DeKalb, Illinois, USA. The arena opened in 1956 and was home to the Northern Illinois University Huskies basketball team prior to the opening of the Convocation Center in 2002. The building is now used for recreation, housing...

. The Convocation Center also houses many other events including the opening convocation ceremony for freshmen, concerts, job fairs, expositions, and the annual graduation ceremony.

The first Northern Illinois athletic event in the new facility happened on August 30, 2002, when the Huskie women's volleyball team defeated IUPUI, 3-1, in the opening round of the Best Western Invitational at Victor E. Court.

Entertainers that have performed at the Center include Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

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, Bill Cosby

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, Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...

, Brooks & Dunn

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, Drake

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, Dave Chapelle, Sugarland

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, Goo Goo Dolls

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, 3 Doors Down

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, Carrie Underwood

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, Josh Turner

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, Chamillionaire

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, Chingy

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, Rascal Flatts

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, Michelle Branch

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, John Mayer

John Mayer

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, Wayne Brady

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, O.A.R.

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, Hoobastank

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, Ludacris

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, Ashlee Simpson

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, Jason Aldean

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, REO Speedwagon

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, Ja Rule

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, Counting Crows

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, Bill Engvall

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, Jimmy Eat World

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, B.B. King, 311

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, Cheap Trick

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, Joan Jett

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, Cedric the Entertainer

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, Larry the Cable Guy

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, Nelly

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, Ciara

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, Dierks Bentley

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, Kanye West

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, Incubus

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, Staind

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, Big & Rich

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, Casting Crowns

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, Styx

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, Jars of Clay

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, Sesame Street Live

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, and Young Jeezy

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.

The arena was also the site of a memorial service held on February 24, 2008 in tribute to the victims of the Northern Illinois University shooting

Northern Illinois University shooting

The Northern Illinois University shooting was a school shooting that took place on February 14, 2008, during which Steven Kazmierczak shot multiple people on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, United States, killing five and injuring twenty-one, before committing...

. Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...

was scheduled to rehearse at the arena beginning February 14, 2008, prior to the start of the North American leg of their Lost Highway Tour

Lost Highway Tour

The Lost Highway Tour was a worldwide concert tour by American rock band Bon Jovi, that took place from October 2007 to July 2008 in support of their tenth studio album Lost Highway...

on February 18 in Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...

, but was forced to start the tour without rehearsals due to the NIU shooting and the subsequent closure of the campus.

External links

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