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University Arena / "The Pit"
The Pit is a wonderful place for any number of reasons. But by any objective standard in the year 2008, the facility itself is not really what makes it a must-see. Its years of greatness are long past, but financial commitments from the state and the University of New Mexico (UNM) Board of Regents ensure that major improvements are coming soon. So, a place with a great history will live on. Given the right circumstances, The Pit is a magical place. "What a terrific atmosphere for college basketball. Great building...great history...18,000 screaming fans. It's big time hoops, baby!" As you might have guessed, that’s what Dick Vitale has to say about The Pit, and those 18,000 fans completely agree. Without the $25 million UNM Regents have already arranged in bonding for improvements, it is hard to imagine how Vitale and the fans’ enthusiasm could be maintained over the long haul. So, let’s explore the good things about The Pit first: its uniqueness, the history, and the devotion of the fans.
Beyond a doubt, University Arena is unique. It’s known as The Pit for good reason: the court is located 37 feet below surface level, making it a great early example of earth-shelter construction before that design term even existed. Completion of the massive Behlen roof came before 55,000 cubic yards of earth was dug out to allow for further construction at a mere total cost of $1.4 million. Talented UNM big man Mel Daniels helped open The Pit in 1966 with a Lobos win over Abilene Christian. The 1960s success of Coach Bob King’s Lobos, coupled with New Mexico’s love affair with The Pit, soon made the need for arena expansion apparent. In 1975, a cantilevered deck was added at a cost of just over $2 million, increasing seating capacity by 2,300 and reserved standing room by nearly 900. A great guard by the name of Michael Cooper came to The Pit a year later. In 1992, the playing court was named in honor of Coach King. All manner of NCAA men’s and women’s games have been played at The Pit, but the arena is best known for perhaps the greatest college basketball upset in history. Coach Jim Valvano and his underdog North Carolina State Wolfpack upset mighty Houston -- led by Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler -- in the thrilling 1983 championship game. Lorenzo Charles managed to grab a desperation toss near the rim and knock down the winner to overcome the famed crew known as Phi Slamma Jamma.
For many college basketball fans, that moment is frozen in time. And, until recently, it seemed like the the '83-style Pit would be frozen in time, as well. That’s just great from an historical perspective perhaps, but not terribly realistic. UNM administrators had little incentive to upgrade because The Pit remained a happening place for decades, with the Lobos averaging over 15,000 fans per game and ranking among the NCAA attendance leaders just about every year. The place really rocks when it fills up. No wonder Sports Illustrated ranked it 13th worldwide on its all-time list of the top 20 sports venues of the 20th century. But we’re well into the 21st century now, and prospects for any selections to host regional NCAA rounds have dwindled as The Pit has aged less than gracefully.
Three decades of virtually no improvement to the arena really shows. While the Lobos team did benefit from conversion of the nearby gymnastics facility to a practice court in 2005, The Pit anticipates its planned update. The night we visited an October NBA exhibition between the Jazz and the Kings drew a light crowd. It didn’t help that the pregame hip-hop sounds at warm-ups failed to resonate with the fans from the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico put its own stamp on the event by featuring Native American stylings to the National Anthem and halftime entertainment. (By the way, the sound system is very good at The Pit, and that came through even on some delicate flute notes.)
Even with relatively few fans attending the exhibition game, the concourses were unpleasantly crowded and dim. That’s a real shame, because a wonderful display of photos and banners honoring the men and women of UNM athletics line the hallways. Did you know that Marv Levy coached the Lobos’ football team in 1958-59? You will want to arrive early if you’d like to see the dimly lit displays up close; the concourses are just too crowded to make worth your while at halftime.
Pretty much everything is minimalist at The Pit. Lines are long at the ticket booth and concession stands. The food is very basic, except perhaps for the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream stand. A great history can take you only so far. So, the recent announcement is surely welcome. Planned improvements costing an estimated $60 million (counting on added state, private and alumni support) will truly revamp The Pit -- literally from top to bottom. Suites, larger concourses, better lighting, added concession stands, new restaurant, bar and lounge, scoreboard and video boards, locker, weight and training rooms, and the lists goes on and on. Not too sure about the kitchen sink, but we wouldn’t be a bit surprised.
It seems like the right thing to do in the scheme of things. We really appreciate the convenient way athletic venues are laid out on the south end of the UNM campus. Three great anchors are in place. The fine football stadium across the street is going to see some improvements, as well. Kitty corner from The Pit you’ll find one of the very best ballparks in the minor leagues, serving double duty as home to the Lobos baseball team. Really, the unimproved arena was the only big question mark heading into the future. Now, an answer to that question has finally emerged, and it appears a great place in history will be preserved.
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