Dunkin' Donuts Center
Encyclopedia
The Dunkin' Donuts Center (formerly Providence Civic Center and also known as The Dunk), is an indoor arena, located in downtown Providence, Rhode Island
, United States
. It was built in 1972, as a home court for the emerging Providence College men's basketball
program, due to the high demand for tickets to their games in Alumni Hall
, as well as for a home arena for the then-Providence Reds
, who played in the nearly fifty-year old Rhode Island Auditorium
. Current tenants include the Providence Bruins
, of the AHL
and the Providence College men's basketball team.
In 2001, the arena was named the Dunkin' Donuts Center as part of a naming-rights deal with Dunkin' Donuts
. In December 2005, the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority purchased the building from the city of Providence and spent $80 million on an extensive renovation. Major elements of the construction included a significantly expanded lobby and concourse, an enclosed pedestrian bridge from the Rhode Island Convention Center, a new center-hung LED
video display board, a new restaurant, 20 luxury suites, four new bathrooms, and all-new seats with cupholders in the arena bowl. Behind-the-scenes improvements included a new HVAC
system, ice chiller, and a first-of-its-kind fire suppression system. These renovations were completed in October 2008.
In 2010
, the arena hosted first and second-round games of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament for the first time since 1996
.
team has been the only major tenant of the arena since its inception, having played almost all of its home basketball games at the arena since 1972. The University of Rhode Island
men's basketball team also played some home basketball games at Dunkin' Donuts Center beginning in 1973, although this practice stopped with the opening of the Ryan Center
in 2002. On rare occasions, the Providence women's basketball team has played "home" games in the arena, most notably for games against URI or UConn
, where demand for tickets would be enough to warrant an arena larger than the 2,620-seat Alumni Hall.
The Providence Reds
(later known as the Rhode Island Reds) hockey team of the AHL
played there from 1972–1977. The Providence Bruins
of the AHL began play at the arena in 1992. The New England Steamrollers
of the Arena Football League also called the arena home for their single season of existence in 1988.
A number of other professional sporting events including the Harlem Globetrotters
and preseason games for the Boston Celtics
of the NBA
have been held at the arena.
The arena has been the site of many collegiate tournaments, including the inaugural 1980 Big East Conference
men's basketball tournament; several ECAC
basketball tournaments; NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament first- and second-round games in 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1989, 1996, and 2010; the 1978 and 1985 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament regional finals; the inaugural 1985 Hockey East
Tournament as well as the second tournament a year later in 1986 before the tourney made Boston
a permanent home; and the 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1995, and 2000 NCAA Frozen Four ice hockey championships.
tournaments six times: (from 1986–1990) five times before the event became a pay-per-view
, and once after in 1997, and hosted the 1994 Royal Rumble
. On April 25, 1999, the arena was home to the first WWE Backlash
pay-per-view event. In December 2005 the arena hosted WWE Armageddon
. It also hosted the final edition of Backlash
in 2009. In 2011, WWE SmackDown made its latest appearance in the arena on June 14, 2011.
The Grateful Dead
recorded half of their live album, entitled Dick's Picks Volume 12, here on June 26, 1974.
The arena played host to The Rolling Thunder Revue
Tour on November 4, 1975, headed by Bob Dylan
.
David Bowie
's concert on May 5, 1978, was filmed and later released as a live album, entitled Stage.
Phish
recorded Live Phish Volume 20
on December 29, 1994, Live Phish 04.04.98 and Live Phish 04.05.98 on April 4-5, 1998.
On October 30–31, 2001, U2
played back to back sell outs on their Elevation Tour
, one month after the tragedy of September 11 attacks. On the second night, the band celebrated drummer Larry Mullen, Jr.'s 40th birthday, with the capacity crowd singing "Happy Birthday
", with Bono
.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was built in 1972, as a home court for the emerging Providence College men's basketball
Providence Friars men's basketball
The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition, in which they are a founding member of the Big East Conference. They play their home games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island...
program, due to the high demand for tickets to their games in Alumni Hall
Alumni Hall (Providence)
Alumni Hall is the on-campus basketball gymnasium at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. It was built in 1955 and was the home court for the school's men's basketball program until 1972...
, as well as for a home arena for the then-Providence Reds
Providence Reds
The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
, who played in the nearly fifty-year old Rhode Island Auditorium
Rhode Island Auditorium
Rhode Island Auditorium was an indoor arena in Providence, Rhode Island, at 1111 North Main Street. It hosted the NBA's Providence Steamrollers from 1946 until 1949, and the Providence Reds ice hockey team until the Providence Civic Center was opened in 1972. The arena held 5,300 people and opened...
. Current tenants include the Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
, of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
and the Providence College men's basketball team.
In 2001, the arena was named the Dunkin' Donuts Center as part of a naming-rights deal with Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts is an international doughnut and coffee retailer founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts; it is now headquartered in Canton...
. In December 2005, the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority purchased the building from the city of Providence and spent $80 million on an extensive renovation. Major elements of the construction included a significantly expanded lobby and concourse, an enclosed pedestrian bridge from the Rhode Island Convention Center, a new center-hung LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
video display board, a new restaurant, 20 luxury suites, four new bathrooms, and all-new seats with cupholders in the arena bowl. Behind-the-scenes improvements included a new HVAC
HVAC
HVAC refers to technology of indoor or automotive environmental comfort. HVAC system design is a major subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer...
system, ice chiller, and a first-of-its-kind fire suppression system. These renovations were completed in October 2008.
In 2010
2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:*March 18 / 20*March 25 / 27*March 26 / 28Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held on April 3 and 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by the Horizon League and Butler University, as per the NCAA's...
, the arena hosted first and second-round games of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament for the first time since 1996
1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1996, and ended with the championship game on April 1 at Continental Airlines Arena in...
.
Sports
The Providence Friars men's basketballProvidence Friars men's basketball
The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition, in which they are a founding member of the Big East Conference. They play their home games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island...
team has been the only major tenant of the arena since its inception, having played almost all of its home basketball games at the arena since 1972. The University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
men's basketball team also played some home basketball games at Dunkin' Donuts Center beginning in 1973, although this practice stopped with the opening of the Ryan Center
Ryan Center
Ryan Center is a 7,657-seat multi-purpose arena in Kingston, Rhode Island. The arena opened in 2002 as a replacement for the old Keaney Gymnasium, which was built when the school's needs were for a much smaller student population.. It is home to the University of Rhode Island Rams basketball...
in 2002. On rare occasions, the Providence women's basketball team has played "home" games in the arena, most notably for games against URI or UConn
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
, where demand for tickets would be enough to warrant an arena larger than the 2,620-seat Alumni Hall.
The Providence Reds
Providence Reds
The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
(later known as the Rhode Island Reds) hockey team of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
played there from 1972–1977. The Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
of the AHL began play at the arena in 1992. The New England Steamrollers
New England Steamrollers
The New England Steamrollers were a former Arena Football League team that played in the AFL's 1988 season. The Steamrollers were one of four teams to enter the AFL in 1988, and along with the New York Knights and Los Angeles Cobras were folded following the season.The Steamrollers were based out...
of the Arena Football League also called the arena home for their single season of existence in 1988.
A number of other professional sporting events including the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
and preseason games for the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
have been held at the arena.
The arena has been the site of many collegiate tournaments, including the inaugural 1980 Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
men's basketball tournament; several ECAC
Eastern College Athletic Conference
The Eastern College Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference comprising schools that compete in 21 sports . It has 317 member institutions in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, ranging in location from Maine to North Carolina and west to Illinois...
basketball tournaments; NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament first- and second-round games in 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1989, 1996, and 2010; the 1978 and 1985 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament regional finals; the inaugural 1985 Hockey East
Hockey East
Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
Tournament as well as the second tournament a year later in 1986 before the tourney made Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
a permanent home; and the 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1995, and 2000 NCAA Frozen Four ice hockey championships.
Other events
The arena has long been a regular stop on WWE tours. It was the site of WWF King of the RingKing of the Ring
King of the Ring is a professional wrestling single-elimination tournament held by WWE. The tournament was held annually from 1985 to 2002, with the exception of 1990 and 1992, and from 1993 to 2002 the tournament was produced as a pay-per-view event....
tournaments six times: (from 1986–1990) five times before the event became a pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
, and once after in 1997, and hosted the 1994 Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble (1994)
Royal Rumble was the seventh annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 22, 1994 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The main event was the Royal Rumble match, a battle royal in which...
. On April 25, 1999, the arena was home to the first WWE Backlash
Backlash: In Your House
Backlash: In Your House was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation promotion, which took place on April 25, 1999 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island...
pay-per-view event. In December 2005 the arena hosted WWE Armageddon
Armageddon (2005)
Armageddon was the sixth Armageddon professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on December 18, 2005 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and was a SmackDown! brand-exclusive event.The main event was a Hell in a Cell...
. It also hosted the final edition of Backlash
Backlash (2009)
Backlash was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on April 26, 2009 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The 11th and final event under the Backlash banner, it featured talent from all three WWE brands: Raw,...
in 2009. In 2011, WWE SmackDown made its latest appearance in the arena on June 14, 2011.
The Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
recorded half of their live album, entitled Dick's Picks Volume 12, here on June 26, 1974.
The arena played host to The Rolling Thunder Revue
Rolling Thunder Revue
The Rolling Thunder Revue was a famed U.S. concert tour consisting of a traveling caravan of musicians, headed by Bob Dylan, that took place in late 1975 and early 1976; the prevailing theory was that the tour was named after the Native American shaman Rolling Thunder. Others maintained that tour...
Tour on November 4, 1975, headed by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
.
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's concert on May 5, 1978, was filmed and later released as a live album, entitled Stage.
Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
recorded Live Phish Volume 20
Live Phish Volume 20
Live Phish Vol. 20 was recorded live at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 29, 1994.This concert is best known for its experimental, 35-minute version of "David Bowie," widely considered one of the greatest Phish jams of all time...
on December 29, 1994, Live Phish 04.04.98 and Live Phish 04.05.98 on April 4-5, 1998.
On October 30–31, 2001, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
played back to back sell outs on their Elevation Tour
Elevation Tour
The Elevation Tour was a worldwide concert tour by the Irish rock band U2. Launched in support of the group's 2000 album All That You Can't Leave Behind, the tour visited arenas in 2001. After the band's previous two extravagant stadium tours, Zoo TV and PopMart, the Elevation Tour returned the...
, one month after the tragedy of September 11 attacks. On the second night, the band celebrated drummer Larry Mullen, Jr.'s 40th birthday, with the capacity crowd singing "Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to You
"Happy Birthday to You", also known more simply as "Happy Birthday", is a song that is traditionally sung to celebrate the anniversary of a person's birth...
", with Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
.