Hey there, curious minds! Have you ever wondered just how colossal the Marriott Center really is? When we talk about "big," it's not just about square footage, is it? It's about capacity, impact, and the sheer scale of events it can host. Today, we're going on a deep dive to uncover the impressive size of the Marriott Center, a truly iconic venue. So, let's embark on this journey of discovery, step by step!
Understanding the Grandeur: How Big is the Marriott Center?
The Marriott Center isn't just a building; it's a landmark. Located on the campus of Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, it's renowned for its impressive size and the vibrant energy it holds, particularly for college basketball. To truly grasp its scale, we need to look beyond a single number.
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| How Big Is The Marriott Center |
Step 1: Let's Talk About Capacity – How Many People Can It Hold?
Perhaps the most common measure of an arena's size is its seating capacity. And in this regard, the Marriott Center is truly a titan.
Sub-heading: The Current Seating Numbers
As of recent renovations and updates, the official seating capacity for basketball games at the Marriott Center is 17,978. This number makes it a truly significant venue in the world of college sports.
Sub-heading: A Historical Perspective on Capacity
Did you know the Marriott Center has seen its capacity fluctuate over the years?
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When it first opened in 1971, it boasted a whopping 22,700 seats! This made it the largest college basketball arena in the nation at the time, surpassing the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena.
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Renovations in 2012 saw the capacity reduced to 20,951.
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Further updates after the 2015 season brought it down to around 19,000.
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And finally, the 2022 updates set it at the current 17,978.
This history highlights the evolving needs and modernization efforts that large venues undergo. Even with these adjustments, it remains among the largest on-campus basketball arenas in the United States and holds the distinction of being the largest basketball arena in the Big 12 Conference.
Step 2: Beyond Seating – The Physical Dimensions
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While seating capacity gives us a great idea of how many people can gather, the sheer physical footprint and volume of the Marriott Center are equally impressive.
Sub-heading: Land Covered and Volume Enclosed
The Marriott Center is not just tall; it's expansive. It covers an impressive three acres of land. To put that into perspective, imagine a vast open field, and then visualize this enormous structure occupying that space! Furthermore, the building encloses a staggering eight million cubic feet. That's a lot of air!
Sub-heading: The Incredible Roof
One of the most striking features of the Marriott Center is its roof. It's truly monumental! The roof alone is the size of two football fields placed side-by-side. It stands an astonishing 10 stories high and is held together by approximately 50,000 bolts. Imagine the engineering marvel required to construct such a massive roof! What's even more fascinating is that this four-million-pound roof was constructed first at ground level, then raised 38 feet into place. Talk about an audacious construction project!
Sub-heading: Navigating the Concourse
If you've ever been to a large arena, you know the concourse can feel like a marathon. At the Marriott Center, the distance around the concourse level is a quarter of a mile. That's a serious stroll if you're circling the entire arena!
Step 3: The Purpose and Impact of its Size
The Marriott Center's size isn't just for show; it serves a crucial purpose for BYU and the wider community.
Sub-heading: Home of the Cougars
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First and foremost, it is the proud home of the BYU Cougars men's and women's basketball teams. The large capacity allows for an incredible atmosphere, with thousands of fans cheering on their teams, creating a significant "home court advantage." The men's team, for instance, has won an impressive 80% of their games in the Marriott Center.
Sub-heading: More Than Just Basketball
While basketball is a primary tenant, the Marriott Center's vastness makes it a versatile venue. It is regularly used for:
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Weekly campus devotionals and forums: These gatherings can attract thousands of students and faculty, making the large space essential.
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Concerts and other entertainment events: Its capacity allows for major touring acts and large-scale performances.
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Commencement ceremonies and other university events: Graduations and other significant university functions often require a venue of this scale.
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Other sporting events: It has even hosted NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament West Regionals and set an NCAA record for highest attendance at a men's volleyball match.
The multi-purpose nature of the Marriott Center truly underscores its importance to the university and the region.
Step 4: A Look at its History and Naming
The Marriott Center's impressive size is intertwined with its history and the generosity of its namesake.
Sub-heading: Named After a Visionary
The arena is named in honor of J. Willard Marriott, the successful Utah businessman and founder of the Marriott Corporation. His vision and contribution helped bring this grand arena to life.
Sub-heading: A Trailblazer in College Arenas
When it opened in 1971, the Marriott Center was not just big; it was revolutionary. It was the largest venue in the nation built specifically for basketball, even larger than any NBA (or ABA) arena at that time. While it eventually lost these distinctions to newer, even larger arenas like Rupp Arena (Kentucky) and Thompson-Boling Arena (Tennessee), its initial dominance cemented its place in collegiate sports history.
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10 Related FAQ Questions
How to measure the size of an arena?
The size of an arena is primarily measured by its seating capacity, but also by its total footprint (acres), enclosed volume (cubic feet), and dimensions of its roof and concourse.
How to find the seating capacity of the Marriott Center?
The official seating capacity for basketball games at the Marriott Center is currently 17,978. This information is usually available on the BYU Athletics official website or Wikipedia.
How to compare the Marriott Center's size to other arenas?
The Marriott Center is among the largest on-campus basketball arenas in the United States and has the largest seating capacity of any basketball arena in the Big 12 Conference. You can compare its capacity and physical dimensions to other college or professional arenas.
How to understand the significance of the Marriott Center's roof?
The roof of the Marriott Center is notable for its immense size (two football fields) and height (10 stories). Its unique construction, built at ground level and then raised, highlights a significant engineering feat.
How to determine if an arena is truly "big"?
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
An arena is considered "big" not just by its seating capacity, but also by its overall footprint, the volume of space it encloses, the scale of events it can host, and its impact on the surrounding community.
How to experience an event at the Marriott Center?
You can attend a BYU Cougars basketball game, a campus devotional or forum, or check the BYU Special Events website for a calendar of concerts and other public events.
How to get to the Marriott Center?
The Marriott Center is located on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Public transit, including UVX, can get you close to the arena. Parking information for events is usually available on the BYU Tickets or Athletics websites.
How to learn about the history of the Marriott Center?
Information about the Marriott Center's history, including its naming, construction, and renovations, can be found on BYU's official websites and Wikipedia.
How to find out what events are held at the Marriott Center besides basketball?
Beyond basketball, the Marriott Center hosts weekly campus devotionals, forums, concerts, graduations, and other special events. Check the BYU Special Events or BYU Tickets websites for a comprehensive schedule.
How to appreciate the architectural features of large arenas like the Marriott Center?
Appreciating the architectural features involves recognizing the engineering challenges of building such large structures, the innovative design elements (like the raised roof), and how the layout accommodates thousands of people for various events.
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