Dean Smith Center
Encyclopedia
The Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center, usually called simply the Smith Center and popularly referred to as the Dean Dome is a multi-purpose arena
in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
. The arena is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tar Heels men's
basketball
team
, and temporary home to the women's team during renovations to Carmichael Auditorium
. The arena opened in 1986.
The arena is named after former North Carolina coach Dean Smith
, who coached the team from 1961 to 1997. According to David Halberstam
's biography of Michael Jordan
, Smith did not want the arena named after him, but was persuaded by the UNC administration and the arena's backers that fundraising efforts for the facility could fail if they did not use his name. Smith coached the last 11 years of his career in the arena, making him one of the few college coaches in any sport to coach in an arena or stadium that is named for him.
The largest crowd to see a game in the Dean Dome was on March 6, 2005, when 22,125 fans saw the Tar Heels win 75-73 against Duke
.
The arena is somewhat spread out, making the seats seem far from the floor; however, the sight lines throughout most of the arena are very good, as they are almost the same as those of Carmichael Auditorium, UNC's previous basketball arena. The only obstructed seats are in the upper rows of the lower level, where the view is partially cut-off by the upper level's overhang.
The first game at the Dean E. Smith Center featured the #1 North Carolina Tar Heels against the #3 Duke Blue Devils on January 18, 1986. Warren Martin scored the first Tar Heel basket in the new arena, Kenny Smith
was credited with the assist. North Carolina ended up defeating Duke 95-92.
The arena's seating arrangement has been somewhat controversial. Most of the lower-level seats were allocated to members of UNC's athletic booster foundation, the Educational Foundation (better known as the Rams Club). Furthermore, most of those seats are season tickets. While tickets are usually available for most non-conference games, Atlantic Coast Conference
games are almost always sold out. For many years, scalping
was virtually the only way to get in for ACC games. Recently, UNC has begun putting any tickets returned by the visiting team on sale at 5 pm Eastern Time
on the day before the game. This is usually the only way to get a seat for anywhere near face value.
In its early years, the arena was known as among the quieter ones in the country because many seats that would have been occupied by students at other schools were occupied by considerably older alumni who were not so inclined to cheer anywhere near as loudly. This led Florida State player Sam Cassell
to say that the Dean Dome “is not a Duke
kind of crowd. It’s more like a cheese-and-wine crowd, kind of laid back." In contrast, Carmichael Auditorium, the team's previous arena, was known for its noise level; before one game, the University of Virginia Cavaliers
couldn't hear their names announced during player introductions because of the din.
Since 1992, however, expanded student seating and a younger alumni base has made the Smith Center louder. For example, after the then top-ranked Connecticut Huskies
were defeated by Carolina at the Dean Dome in 2004, Huskies coach Jim Calhoun
said, "I don't know what they are talking about because there was no 'wine and cheese' crowd here today." After the Tar Heels defeated then top-ranked Ohio State University
in 2007, Buckeye
coach Thad Matta
stated, "I think I’ve never been in a building that was as loud as that building was at times."
The arena is usually at its loudest for games against Duke; however, during a regular-season game against Maryland
in 2000, more students were allowed into the lower level. The game had been postponed two days because of a heavy snowstorm. Students were also allowed to take most of the lower level seats during the Tar Heels' National Invitation Tournament
appearance in 2003.
The Tar Heels have one of the most formidable home-court advantages in the country, rarely losing more than three home games in a season. One of the few times they have lost more than that was the 2009-2010 season, when they finished with a disappointing 5 home losses (16-16 overall). As of the end of the 2009-10 season, North Carolina had a record of 282-56 (.834) at the Smith Center, an average of 11.5 wins and just 2.1 losses per year.
They have gone undefeated at home four times since the arena opened (1986-87, 1992-93, 2004-05 and 2010-11). North Carolina has an overall record in the Smith Center of 285-52. UNC's ACC record in the Smith Center is 146-40.
, for commencement ceremonies each year, as well as the same for all undergraduates receiving degrees in December of each year. It is also the graduation site for the local high schools each June.
Advertising arrangements, such as a signage deal with Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo
) fund the arena.
The arena has also hosted concerts from Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Guns & Roses, Boyz II Men, and many others. On April 28, 2008, then presidential-candidate Barack Obama held a rally in the arena in anticipation of the North Carolina primary. President Obama (a Senator at the time) spoke in front of 18,000 while showing support of his surroundings in a Carolina-blue tie.
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...
in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
. The arena is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
Tar Heels men's
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team
Team
A team comprises a group of people or animals linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks.A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team...
, and temporary home to the women's team during renovations to Carmichael Auditorium
Carmichael Auditorium
William Donald Carmichael, Jr. Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels women's basketball team.The arena opened in 1965 as Carmichael Auditorium...
. The arena opened in 1986.
The arena is named after former North Carolina coach Dean Smith
Dean Smith
Dean Edwards Smith is a retired American head coach of men's college basketball. Originally from Emporia, Kansas, Smith has been called a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is best known for his successful 36-year coaching tenure at the University of North Carolina at Chapel...
, who coached the team from 1961 to 1997. According to David Halberstam
David Halberstam
David Halberstam was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and historian, known for his early work on the Vietnam War, his work on politics, history, the Civil Rights Movement, business, media, American culture, and his later sports journalism.-Early life and education:Halberstam...
's biography of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Smith did not want the arena named after him, but was persuaded by the UNC administration and the arena's backers that fundraising efforts for the facility could fail if they did not use his name. Smith coached the last 11 years of his career in the arena, making him one of the few college coaches in any sport to coach in an arena or stadium that is named for him.
General information
The arena originally seated 21,444. Seating adjustments brought capacity to 21,572 in 1992 and 21,750 in 2000.The largest crowd to see a game in the Dean Dome was on March 6, 2005, when 22,125 fans saw the Tar Heels win 75-73 against Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's basketball
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
.
The arena is somewhat spread out, making the seats seem far from the floor; however, the sight lines throughout most of the arena are very good, as they are almost the same as those of Carmichael Auditorium, UNC's previous basketball arena. The only obstructed seats are in the upper rows of the lower level, where the view is partially cut-off by the upper level's overhang.
The first game at the Dean E. Smith Center featured the #1 North Carolina Tar Heels against the #3 Duke Blue Devils on January 18, 1986. Warren Martin scored the first Tar Heel basket in the new arena, Kenny Smith
Kenny Smith
Kenneth "The Jet" Smith is a retired National Basketball Association player and current TV basketball analyst, primarily for Inside the NBA on TNT.-Early life:...
was credited with the assist. North Carolina ended up defeating Duke 95-92.
Seating issues
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
games are almost always sold out. For many years, scalping
Ticket resale
Ticket resale is the act of reselling tickets for admission to events. Tickets are bought from licensed sellers and are then sold for a price determined by the individual or company in possession of the tickets. Tickets sold through secondary sources may be sold for less or more than their face...
was virtually the only way to get in for ACC games. Recently, UNC has begun putting any tickets returned by the visiting team on sale at 5 pm Eastern Time
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
on the day before the game. This is usually the only way to get a seat for anywhere near face value.
In its early years, the arena was known as among the quieter ones in the country because many seats that would have been occupied by students at other schools were occupied by considerably older alumni who were not so inclined to cheer anywhere near as loudly. This led Florida State player Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell
Samuel James "Sam" Cassell , is a retired American professional basketball player who is an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards. The , point guard was selected out of Florida State University by the Houston Rockets with the 24th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft...
to say that the Dean Dome “is not a Duke
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Cameron Indoor Stadium is an indoor arena located on the West Campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. It is home to the Duke Blue Devils men's and women's basketball teams, the women's volleyball team, and the men's wrestling team....
kind of crowd. It’s more like a cheese-and-wine crowd, kind of laid back." In contrast, Carmichael Auditorium, the team's previous arena, was known for its noise level; before one game, the University of Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
couldn't hear their names announced during player introductions because of the din.
Since 1992, however, expanded student seating and a younger alumni base has made the Smith Center louder. For example, after the then top-ranked Connecticut Huskies
Connecticut Huskies men's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball team representing the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut, USA. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
were defeated by Carolina at the Dean Dome in 2004, Huskies coach Jim Calhoun
Jim Calhoun
James A. Calhoun is the head coach of the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team. His teams have won three national championships , played in four Final Fours , won the 1988 NIT championship, and have won seven Big East tournament championships...
said, "I don't know what they are talking about because there was no 'wine and cheese' crowd here today." After the Tar Heels defeated then top-ranked Ohio State University
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
in 2007, Buckeye
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
coach Thad Matta
Thad Matta
Thad Matta is an American college basketball coach. He is the current head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team. He was hired as the 13th head coach in Ohio State history on July 7, 2004 after the school had fired previous coach Jim O'Brien...
stated, "I think I’ve never been in a building that was as loud as that building was at times."
The arena is usually at its loudest for games against Duke; however, during a regular-season game against Maryland
Maryland Terrapins men's basketball
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I competition...
in 2000, more students were allowed into the lower level. The game had been postponed two days because of a heavy snowstorm. Students were also allowed to take most of the lower level seats during the Tar Heels' National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
appearance in 2003.
Home court advantage
They have gone undefeated at home four times since the arena opened (1986-87, 1992-93, 2004-05 and 2010-11). North Carolina has an overall record in the Smith Center of 285-52. UNC's ACC record in the Smith Center is 146-40.
Non-basketball uses
The arena has also held many concerts and is used by many of the graduate and professional schools, such as the UNC School of LawUniversity of North Carolina School of Law
The University of North Carolina School of Law is a professional school within the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Established in 1845, Carolina Law is among the oldest law schools in the nation and is the oldest law school in North Carolina. It is consistently ranked in the top-tier...
, for commencement ceremonies each year, as well as the same for all undergraduates receiving degrees in December of each year. It is also the graduation site for the local high schools each June.
Advertising arrangements, such as a signage deal with Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
) fund the arena.
The arena has also hosted concerts from Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Guns & Roses, Boyz II Men, and many others. On April 28, 2008, then presidential-candidate Barack Obama held a rally in the arena in anticipation of the North Carolina primary. President Obama (a Senator at the time) spoke in front of 18,000 while showing support of his surroundings in a Carolina-blue tie.