The Gallagher Center is a 2,400-seat multi-purpose
arena
An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...
at Niagara University's campus in
Lewiston, New York
Lewiston is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 15,944 at the 2020 census. The town and its contained village are named after Morgan Lewis, a governor of New York.
The Town of Lewiston is on the western bord ...
. The structure was initially built in 1949 and substantially renovated in 1999.
It is the home court of the
Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball
: ''For information on all Niagara University sports, see Niagara Purple Eagles''
The Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball team is the college basketball team that represents Niagara University in Lewiston, New York, United States. The scho ...
and women's basketball and volleyball teams.
Originally known as the Niagara University Student Center, it was renamed in honor of John J. "Taps" Gallagher (1905–1982) on May 23, 1982. Coach Gallagher guided the Purple Eagles men's team for 31 seasons (1931–1943, 1946–1965), leading the team to 25 winning seasons, including 11 ''Little Three'' championships and seven appearances in the
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitational Tournament (NIT) is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Played at regional sites and traditionally at Madison Square Garden (Final Four) in New York City ...
when the NIT was the premiere postseason tournament. At the time of his retirement, he was the 12th winningest coach in college basketball history.
[Purple Eagles basketball history book]
/ref>
In 2014, the playing surface was named "Layden Court" in honor of former Purple Eagles coach Frank Layden
Francis Layden (born January 5, 1932) is an American former basketball coach and executive of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz as well as former head coach of the Women's National Basketball Association's Utah Starzz.
Coaching car ...
and his wife, Barbara. Layden coached the Purple Eagles from 1968 to 1976, leading the Purple Eagles to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1970. He then went on to a 23-year coaching career in the NBA, most notably with the Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference, Northwest Division (NBA), ...
.[
left, 250px, Gallagher Center also hosts the Niagara Hall of Fame
]
Student Center
The lower level of Gallagher Center houses the Student Center and Campus Activities Office.
Additional offices located in the Gallagher Center include
* Campus Ministry
* NUSGA
* Student Life
* Multicultural and International Student Affairs
* Athletics
* WNIA Radio
See also
* List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas
A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to:
People
* List (surname)
Organizations
* List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
* SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
References
External links
Gallagher Center
College basketball venues in the United States
Sports venues in New York (state)
Indoor arenas in New York (state)
Niagara Purple Eagles
Sports venues in Niagara County, New York
1949 establishments in New York (state)
Sports venues completed in 1949
Basketball venues in New York (state)
College volleyball venues in the United States
Volleyball venues in New York (state)
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