WHY MOCS? - UTC Athletics

CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
The Mocs topped the 2-million mark in attendance on Jan. 28, 2009 hosting Davidson.
THE MCKENZIE ARENA
The McKenzie Arena, originally
named the UTC Arena, was officially dedicated
in December, 1982. It’s construction
was the result of a cooperative venture
between the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton
County, The University of Tennessee system
and the State of Tennessee.
The 210,000-square-foot, $15.5 million
multi-purpose complex is home to the
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s
basketball teams. It also houses UTC’s
wrestling practice area, training room,
athletic administrative and coaches offices
and locker rooms for basketball, football
and wrestling.
The Arena was renamed The McKenzie
Arena on Feb. 21, 2000, after a generous
donation from supporters Toby and Brenda
McKenzie of Cleveland, Tenn. The Arena’s
longtime nickname “The Roundhouse”
came about because of the facility’s round
shape, but also because of the railroad
LARGEST MCKENZIE ARENA CROWDS
DATE ATTENDANCE OPPONENT RESULT
1) 12/4/07 11,221 Tennessee L, 70-76
2) 12/1/82 11,218 Tennessee L, 49-55
3) 12/21/82 11,218 North Carolina L, 66-73
4) 12/3/94 11,103 Michigan L, 71-83
5) 2/15/92 10,915 East Tennessee State L, 67-83
6) 2/16/87 10,727 Marshall W, 82-78
7) 2/4/84 10,491 Marshall L, 67-75
8) 2/22/96 10,343 Memphis L, 55-63
9) 2/5/94 10,205 East Tennessee State W, 86-84
10) 3/14/84 10,132 Georgia W, 74-69
11) 1/21/91 10,121 East Tennessee State W, 76-74
12) 12/4/85 9,846 Georgia Tech L, 74-94
13) 3/5/83 9,783 Western Carolina W, 76-63
14) 1/14/89 9,514 Marshall W, 99-75
15) 2/5/83 9,284 Marshall W, 88-71
16) 2/21/85 9,253 Marshall W, 80-73
17) 1/28/09 9,234 Davidson L, 70-92
18) 12/22/94 9,222 Purdue L, 77-94
19) 2/22/97 9,211 Marshall W, 92-72
20) 12/21/90 9,121 Alabama L, 58-62
21) 12/19/95 9,117 Ohio State W, 83-70
22) 1/8/94 9,108 Marshall W, 92-81
23) 2/27/89 8,927 The Citadel W, 79-70
24) 2/26/91 8,926 Furman W, 79-74
tradition in the city. The building that housed the mechanism to turn locomotives around when it reached the terminal was known as the roundhouse.
The University of Tennessee’s men’s basketball team came down from Knoxville to open the Arena on Dec. 1, 1982. A sellout crowd of 11,218 saw the Vols defeat the
Mocs 56-49. The game turned out to be a showdown of two future NBA players. Tennessee’s Dale Ellis paced the Vols with 17 points, while UTC’s Gerald Wilkins led all scorers
with 20 points.
Defending National Champion North Carolina also visited the UTC Arena during the 1982-83 season playing before another sellout crowd. The Tar Heels, who boasted
such players as Brad Daugherty, Sam Perkins and a sophomore named Michael Jordan, managed a sevenpoint
victory, 73-66. UTC’s Willie White, who would also go on to play professionally, netted 26 points. Jordan
finished with 27 points.
A new record was set on Dec. 4, 2007, as 11,221 packed the Arena for the Mocs anniversary showdown
with Tennessee. The Mocs battled the top-10 Vols to the wire dropping a 76-70 decision.
25) 12/22/93 8,922 Georgia Tech L, 74-81 A school-record crowd of 11,221 saw the Mocs battle No. 10 Tennessee on Dec. 4, 2007 in the 25th Anniversary game of the McKenzie Arena.
14 SoCon Regular-Season/Division Champions: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009