James H. Hilton Coliseum, is a 14,267-seat multi-purpose arena located in Ames, Iowa, United States.
- Venue
- Hilton Coliseum
- Town
- Ames, US
- Capacity
- 15,000
James H. Hilton Coliseum, is a 14,267-seat multi-purpose arena located in Ames, Iowa, United States. The arena opened in 1971. It is home to the Iowa State University Cyclones men's and women's basketball teams, wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball teams. The building was constructed in 1971 as part of the Iowa State Center, an athletic and cultural events area located southeast of the main campus. The Coliseum was named after James H. Hilton, ISU's president from 1953 to 1965, who pushed for the construction of the facility. The Iowa State Center also includes Jack Trice Stadium, C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, Fisher Theater and Scheman Continuing Education Building. Hilton Coliseum and Jack Trice Stadium replaced the Iowa State Armory and Clyde Williams Stadium, at the corner of Union Dr. & Sheldon Ave. Hilton Coliseum was specifically built to hold in sound with a solid concrete structure, steel doors, and a crowd that sits just a few feet from the court. The first band to ever perform at the Hilton Coliseum was Meloncolony, a band composed of Midwest natives: Chuck Vail (singer), Wayne Groff (organ), Matt Peterson (bass), Clint Dudley (guitar), and Bob Curtis (drums). The band performed at an event organized by the YMCA to both entertain and encourage 2,300 locals to register to vote. Of the 2,300, 200 people registered that night. Phish played the arena in both 1996 and 1999. The arena hosted the 1972 NCAA basketball tournament Midwest Regionals, as well as the 1982, 1988 and 1993 NCAA wrestling championships. The arena is also the site of the annual Iowa All State Music Festival. It has also hosted commencements, concerts, conventions and other assemblies. A crowd of 15,000 saw the Cyclones post a 97-94 win over Iowa in 1971. Until Casey's Center in Des Moines was built, Hilton Coliseum was Central Iowa's primary entertainment venue. The Hilton Coliseum is described as having "Hilton Magic" that gave the Cyclones unexpected victories. It was first described by Des