New era begins at UT Arlington as College Park Center opens

By Diane Smith

dianesmith@star-telegram.com

ARLINGTON -- Sporting Maverick blue and orange, the crowd streamed into the University of Texas at Arlington's new $78 million College Park Center on Wednesday ready to be wowed by the surroundings while welcoming a new era in school sports.

The night had been long envisioned by city and university leaders who hope the 7,000-seat center changes the face of downtown Arlington while reshaping the image of UTA -- from commuter school to destination campus.

Students came ready to cheer for their basketball program during back-to-back games against men's and women's teams from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

"I'm pretty elated," UTA President James Spaniolo said. "I think this whole campus is excited. It's a whole different feeling. Now, it feels like a place where you play major athletic events."

College Park Center is the new home for UTA men's and women's basketball, as well as women's volleyball. After years of playing on a theater stage at Texas Hall, teams will now compete in a real arena designed to make spectators feel close to the action.

"I thought it would never get here," said Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, shortly before the women's team took the court. "It's going to be great. You know who I'm rooting for."

Cluck wore a Maverick blue shirt emblazoned with the orange words "Celebrate College Park."

Doors opened at 5 p.m. Revved up by band music, cheerleaders and a new spirit team -- the Maverick Wranglers -- fans were ready for some serious basketball.

After the women's game (they won 51-40), the noise level cranked up to 11 when a giant blue ribbon was displayed across center court.

In a video shot at Texas Hall, Spaniolo told the crowd that a new era was beginning. Then, using animated graphics, he appeared to throw a flaming basketball from the Mavericks' old venue to the new one.

The strains of singer Ke$ha's This Place is About to Blow filled the center.

"You know, Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore," Spaniolo said as he walked onto the court.

The men's basketball team, which won 67-66, was greeted with dancing, tumbling and more cheers of "UTA! UTA!"

It was a never-before experience at UTA, participants said.

"It's awesome," said Toby Bradford, a Weatherford freshman who lives on campus.

Junior Cody James, 22, said, "It's really, really amazing." Student organizations turned out in force for the opening, he said.

"It shows how much UT Arlington is growing," James said.

State Rep. Diane Patrick, a former UTA professor, said she felt a new energy just while walking across campus to the new center.

"It gave me goose bumps," Patrick said.

Diane Smith, 817-390-7675

Twitter: @dianestar

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