The WVU Coliseum still remains one of the nation's supreme showcases for college basketball. Whether it is during the day with the sun shining down on the massive structure, or at night when its golden lights make it an evening showcase, the Coliseum stands as one of the most striking facilities on the WVU campus and played a major role in the expansion of West Virginia's growing Evansdale Campus.
The Coliseum first opened on Dec. 1, 1970 when the Mountaineers played host to Colgate. Nearly 10,000 showed up to see the Mountaineers defeat the Red Raiders, 113-92. Six nights later, West Virginia nearly knocked off fifth-ranked Kentucky before more than 13,000 fans to begin a long history of raucous crowds and unforgettable games.
In 1971, the WVU Coliseum received a major architectural design award from the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Concrete Institute for being the "Outstanding Concrete Structure of the Year."
Through the years, the Coliseum has experienced several upgrades. In 2004, those included: renovations to the men's basketball locker room, renovations to the women's basketball locker room, construction of a players' lounge and team video theater, expansion of the Coliseum strength and conditioning center, expansion of the equipment room and training room and refurbishment of the Coliseum roof. Construction of a club seating area in the main arena was completed, with private space for concessions, hospitality areas and rest rooms under the lower level seats.
In 2008, state-of-the-art score/video boards complete with high resolution video and expanded messaging capabilities became part of the fan experience at the Coliseum in addition to a new sound system. A Coliseum Marquee at the intersection of Monongahela Boulevard and Patteson was constructed to help promote West Virginia University events.
In 2016, the entire concourse of the Coliseum was renovated with additional restrooms and concessions, as well as the expansion of the concourses to improve the fan experience at home basketball games.
The 14,000-seat domed arena has been the home of Mountaineer cagers for more than five decades, but its many uses include commencement, concerts, conferences, floor shows and a host of educational and athletic events.
The Coliseum has hosted conference basketball tournament championships, NCAA basketball, NCAA rifle and gymnastics regionals as well as many other tournament events.
Initially constructed in 1970 at a cost of $10.4 million, the Coliseum once served as the home of the WVU School of Physical Education and much of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. It is also the home competition site for Mountaineer women's basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and volleyball teams.
Extensively used by the University, the WVU Coliseum remains the centerpiece of the athletic facilities that are now such an important part of the WVU Intercollegiate Athletic Program.
Top 10 Men's Basketball Crowds
| No. |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1. |
2/24/82 |
Pitt |
W, 82-77 |
16,704 |
| 2. |
1/27/18 |
Kentucky |
L, 76-83 |
15,835 |
| 3. |
2/27/83 |
#1 UNLV |
W, 87-78 |
15,638 |
| 4. |
2/8/10 |
#4 Villanova |
L, 75-82 |
15,593 |
| 5. |
2/3/10 |
#22 Pitt |
W, 70-51 |
15,417 |
| 6. |
12/4/82 |
Marshall |
W, 95-82 |
15,409 |
| 7. |
1/31/81 |
Pitt |
W, 76-63 |
15,299 |
| 8. |
2/20/16 |
#3 Oklahoma |
L, 62-76 |
15,289 |
| 9. |
1/16/10 |
#5 Syracuse |
L, 71-72 |
15,271 |
| 10. |
12/2/95 |
#6 Georgetown |
L, 83-86 (OT) |
15,193 |
Top 10 Women's Basketball Crowds
| No. |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1. |
3/2/13 |
#1 Baylor |
L, 49-80 |
13,447 |
| 2. |
11/21/19 |
Coppin State |
W, 82-47 |
10,663 |
| 3. |
12/6/24 |
ETSU |
W, 85-40 |
8,489 |
| 4. |
11/15/19 |
Bryant |
W, 94-48 |
8,307 |
| 5. |
2/16/08 |
DePaul |
L, 80-81 |
8,307 |
| 6. |
3/22/92 |
#20 Clemson |
W, 73-72 |
8,268 |
| 7. |
2/5/11 |
Pitt |
L, 53-60 |
8,025 |
| 8. |
12/10/23 |
Wright State |
W, 77-72 |
7,535 |
| 9. |
12/7/82 |
Indiana (Pa.) |
W, 131-44 |
7,000 |
| 10. |
2/14/10 |
#16 Georgetown |
W, 55-46 |
6,754 |
Top 10 Gymnastics Crowds
| No. |
Date |
Opponent |
Attendance |
| 1. |
2/18/18 |
Maryland, Pitt |
4,517 |
| 2. |
2/28/24 |
Denver, Iowa State |
4,139 |
| 3. |
3/18/23 |
Big 12 Championship |
3,742 |
| 4. |
4/19/94 |
NCAA Southeast Regional |
3,492 |
| 5. |
2/1/97 |
Penn State |
3,269 |
| 6. |
1/14/11 |
Michigan State |
3,206 |
| 7. |
4/14/07 |
NCAA Southeast Regional |
3,074 |
| 8. |
2/2/25 |
Florida, Utah |
2,798 |
| 9. |
3/15/97 |
George Washington
Massachusetts
Rutgers |
2,767 |
| 10. |
1/5/18 |
Florida |
2,613 |
Top 10 Volleyball Crowds
| No. |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1. |
8/29/12 |
Texas |
L, 3-0 |
3,112 |
| 2. |
9/24/14 |
Texas |
L, 3-2 |
1,914 |
| 3. |
9/17/21 |
Penn State |
L, 3-0 |
1,826 |
| 4. |
10/23/13 |
Texas |
L, 3-0 |
1,812 |
| 5. |
10/23/21 |
Baylor |
L, 3-1 |
1,340 |
| 6. |
8/26/17 |
Penn State |
L, 3-0 |
1,332 |
| 7. |
10/13/17 |
Oklahoma |
W, 3-1 |
1,264 |
| 8. |
10/8/16 |
Oklahoma |
L, 3-1 |
1,251 |
| 9. |
10/13/18 |
Baylor |
L, 3-2 |
1,189 |
| 10. |
8/28/19 |
Oklahoma |
L, 3-1 |
1,095 |
Top 10 Wrestling Crowds
| No. |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1. |
2/18/18 |
Clarion |
W, 25-13 |
4,517 |
| 2. |
12/18/16 |
Virginia Tech |
L, 36-4 |
2,822 |
| 3. |
1/17/16 |
#9 Oklahoma |
L, 23-11 |
2,390 |
| 4. |
2/23/20 |
Utah Valley |
L, 20-19 |
2,250 |
| 5. |
1/12/25 |
#18 Pitt |
L, 25-17 |
2,220 |
| 6. |
2/23/25 |
Arizona State |
W, 24-13 |
2,064 |
| 7. |
1/14/24 |
#5 Oklahoma State |
L, 29-9 |
1,884 |
| 8. |
2/3/23 |
#3 Iowa State |
L, 20-13 |
1,494 |
| 9. |
2/1/25 |
#4 Northern Iowa |
L, 29-10 |
1,485 |
| 10. |
1/26/24 |
#2 Missouri |
L, 30-6 |
1,327 |
