Omaha Civic Auditorium
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| Omaha Civic Auditorium | |
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| Location | 1804 Capitol Avenue Omaha, Nebraska 68102 |
| Opened | 1954 |
| Owner | City of Omaha |
| Operator | Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) |
| Surface | multi-surface |
| Tenants | Creighton Bluejays Women's Basketball, Volleyball (MVC) (2003-Present) Omaha Beef (UIF) (2000–Present) Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL) (2005–07) Creighton Bluejays Men's Basketball (MVC) (1961–2003) Kansas City-Omaha Kings (NBA) (1972–75) UNO Mavericks (CCHA) (1997–2003) |
| Capacity | 10,960 (concerts) 9,300 (sports) |
The Omaha Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose convention center in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1954, it surpassed the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum as the largest convention/entertainment complex in the city, until the completion of Qwest Center Omaha in 2003.
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[edit] Facilities
[edit] Arena
The Civic Auditorium arena currently seats up to 9,300 people for sporting events and up to 10,960 for concerts.
In the past, the arena was home to the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team, the University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey team, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights American Hockey League team, and the NBA's Kansas City-Omaha Kings basketball team (1972-75).
Today, it is home to the Omaha Beef indoor football team and the Creighton women's basketball and volleyball teams. It is also used for trade shows, concerts, smaller conventions, and local graduations.
The arena was the site of the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament title game in 1978 and 1981. It was also the site of the seventh WWF In Your House pay-per-view in 1996.
[edit] "You are no Jack Kennedy"
A memorable event at the Civic Auditorium was the 1988 U.S. vice-presidential debate between Democrat Lloyd Bentsen and Republican Dan Quayle. The debate produced one of the most famous quotes in American political history.
Quayle, then a U.S. Senator from Indiana, had been a relative political unknown and reporters covering the campaign wondered if he would make a suitable president if something were to have happened to George H.W. Bush, who selected him as his running mate. In response to a question, Quayle pointed out that he had as much experience in the Senate as John F. Kennedy had prior to being elected President of the United States in 1960. To which, Bentsen, a Senate veteran from Texas, responded: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy."
[edit] Music Hall
The Civic Auditorium Music Hall, located on the east side of Omaha Civic Auditorium is used for concerts, Broadway shows, and other events. It currently seats 2,453 and is well known for its intimate yet casual atmosphere.
[edit] Exhibit Hall
The Civic Auditorium exhibit hall features 43,400 square feet (4,000 m²) of space for conventions and trade shows.
[edit] Mancuso Hall
Mancuso Hall is a large-events venue used for parties, trade shows, concerts, banquets, and conventions, among other events. 25,000 square feet (2300 m²) of space, Mancuso Hall seats 2,500 for concerts and 1,500 for banquets.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by None |
Home of the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2005 – 07 |
Succeeded by i wireless Center |
| Preceded by Cincinnati Gardens |
Home of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 1972 – 75 |
Succeeded by Kemper Arena |
| Preceded by Vinardi Center/"Old Gym" |
Home of Creighton Bluejays Men's Basketball 1961 – 2003 |
Succeeded by Qwest Center Omaha |
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