Versatile arena not just for sports.
By Peter Ciancone
When Hulman Center opened in December 1973, nobody knew that a basketball player of the caliber of Larry Bird would come along to make the place famous, but he did.
The 32-year-old multi-purpose facility at Ninth and Cherry streets witnessed the collegiate career of one of the greatest basketball players in history.
Larry Aiken, an Evansville-based promoter, has brought numerous events to the Terre Haute landmark, including concerts like the Eagles, Broadway shows and exhibition games featuring the Bird-led Boston Celtics.
He recalled the thrill of the first exhibition in Hulman Center with Bird in 1980. Noting that those were the days of paper tickets sold from a box office, he marveled at the draw of Bird.
"We sold the entire 10,000-plus, 10,500, tickets in four hours," Aiken said. With computer ticket outlets available in malls and stores across the country, "today that's commonplace."
The next year, at a second exhibition, Aiken said, "It may have taken a day and a half" to sell out.
But basketball is only one aspect of Hulman Center's versatility as a venue, said Jennifer Cook, who has worked there for 20 years.
"We have very few dark days in Hulman Center," she said, noting that between it and Tilson Auditorium, they average about 700 events a year, ranging from basketball to banquets, rodeos to Broadway shows.
Named for Tony Hulman, the facility is a compromise built after a spirited local discussion about its size. Original plans called for a larger structure that would have required the closure of Eighth Street along its west side. Ground broke for construction on Dec. 18, 1971. The building was completed for about $10.5 million, including a $2.5 million gift from Hulman.
"It was designed to be versatile," Cook said. Configured for a concert, Hulman Center can hold more than 11,000 visitors. For basketball, the capacity is just more than 10,000. Using a system of heavy curtains, it turns into a theater wedge that seats 2,500. With a large banquet/meeting complex, and huge dressing rooms, it can be used for nearly anything.
"There are cities a lot larger than Terre Haute that don't have a facility of this versatility," Cook said.
Charlie Potts took over as director earlier this year from Cliff Lambert, who oversaw the facility for 27 years. Potts said he hoped to continue to take advantage of Hulman Center's adaptability.
Enhancing event experiences through banners, signage and lighting also will be explored, Potts said.
"There's a relationship between how you present an event and the experience you have at the event," he said.
Ada Kukurisas, who retired from teaching at Indiana State University in 1988, has held season tickets to ISU basketball since the Larry Bird era. She rarely misses ISU home games.
"Larry Bird is something to get excited about," she said of how she got started.
Asked about Hulman Center as a place to watch her favorite sport, she said, "I've got really good seats," an advantage the Wabash Valley has shared with her in Hulman Center for 32 years.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. garza |
| Center of attention: Ground broke for construction of the Hulman Center on Dec. 18, 1973. The building was completed for about $10.5 million, including a $2.5 million gift from Tony Hulman. |
HULMAN CENTER FAST FACTS
First event: Dec. 14, 1973, Purdue Boilermakers vs. Indiana State University Sycamores men's basketball
First concert: Feb. 15, 1974, Charlie Pride
Millionth visitor: James D. Burns of Clay City, Jan. 28, 1977 (currently estimated that more than 25 million visitors have attended Hulman Center events)
Top draw: Alice Cooper concert, Aug. 26, 1977 (more than 11,200 in attendance)
Among other famous performers: Kiss, Bob Hope, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan and Toby Keith
Among other notable events: Circuses, banquets, bird shows, job fairs, rodeos and Broadway shows
Size: 25,000 square feet of space on the floor, 6,000 square foot banquet/meeting complex that can be divided
Upcoming events
Sept. 17: Bill Cosby
Sept. 24: 30th reunion performance of Ebony Majestic Choir (part of Terre Haute Street Fair events)
Sept. 30: Gallagher
Oct. 6: Cats (musical theater)
For more information, log on at www.indstate.edu/hctaf or call (812) 237-3770.