Tad Smith Coliseum

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C. M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum
"The Tad Pad"
C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum.jpg
Former names Rebel Coliseum (1966–1972)
Location Confederate Drive
University, MS 38677
Coordinates 34°21′43.91″N 89°32′21.49″W / 34.3621972°N 89.5393028°W / 34.3621972; -89.5393028Coordinates: 34°21′43.91″N 89°32′21.49″W / 34.3621972°N 89.5393028°W / 34.3621972; -89.5393028
Owner University of Mississippi
Operator University of Mississippi
Capacity 8,867 (2013–present)
9,061 (2008–2013)
8,700 (2001–2008)
8,135 (1988–2001)
8,500 (1966–1988)
Surface Hardwood
Construction
Broke ground 1964
Opened February 21, 1966
Construction cost $1.8 million
($13.1 million in 2015 dollars[1])
Tenants
Ole Miss Rebels
(Men's and women's basketball)

C. M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum is an 8,867-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Mississippi. It is home to the University of Mississippi Rebels and Lady Rebels basketball teams. It has also hosted many concerts, one of which was The Allman Brothers with Gov't Mule in November 1995.

Inside

The circular building, similar to many arenas constructed at the time, has a 272-foot-diameter white steel-framed, Neoprene-covered roof which tops out at 89 feet above the court. From its exterior, it looks like a giant hub cap. The floor, 130' from end to end with its Rebel red and blue trim, is located twelve feet below the surrounding ground level. The seats were replaced in 2001 with navy blue upholstered seats. In 2010 the Tad Pad was upgraded. These upgrades included a unique new center hung video display, featuring four LED boards approximately 7 feet high by 13 feet wide. Two ring displays are also part of the center hung structure and are able to show a variety of graphics, animations and statistical information. Overall the display measures approximately 17 feet high by 24 feet wide and also features four dedicated scoring sections. In addition to this upgrade, Daktronics provided a custom sound system for the newly renovated arena.[2] The outside of the building includes red Mississippi brick and blue vinyl-covered steel siding. It is located to the southwest of the center of campus, west of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and across the street from the Robert C. Khayat Law Center. A Confederate cemetery lies behind the building.

The building opened during 1965–1966 as Rebel Coliseum. It was renamed on March 25, 1972, to honor C. M. "Tad" Smith, former three-sport letterman, coach and athletic director at the university.

The largest crowd ever at the building was on February 10, 2007, when 9,452 fans watched the Rebels defeat the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Prior to the building of the Coliseum, the team played in Old Gym (now the Martindale Student Services Center), a 2,500-seat gym built in 1929.[3]

In July 2014 Ole Miss broke ground on a new arena named The Pavilion at Ole Miss.[4] This arena is currently under construction.

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