Prather Coliseum is a 3,900-seat multi-purpose arena in Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States. It opened in 1964 and is home to the Northwestern State University Demons basketball team.Prather Coliseum
at nsudemons.com, URL accessed November 17, 2009
Archived
11/17/09 The arena also holds concerts and events. It was named in honor of the school's most successful basketball and football coach,

H. Lee Prather Henry Lee Prather (October 10, 1886 – September 23, 1964) was an American football and basketball coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute for one season ...

, who served from the 1910s through the 1940s before becoming NSU President in 1951.

History

The coliseum is among projects credited to the late

State Senator A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. Description A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of 49 U ...

Sylvan Friedman Sylvan Friedman (May 19, 1908 – March 18, 1979) was an American politician. He served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Foshee also served as a member of the Louisiana State Senate. Born in Natchitoches Parish ...

of Natchitoches Parish. It opened two years before Friedman's retirement.Friedman Student Union
at facilityuse.nsula.edu, URL accessed November 17, 2009
Archived
11/17/09 Prather Coliseum is also known as the venue for the final concert performed by rock star Jim Croce on Thursday, September 20, 1973. Shortly after the concert, Croce's plane crashed shortly after takeoff from

Natchitoches Regional Airport Natchitoches Regional Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) south of the central business district of Natchitoches, a parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Although most U.S. a ...

, killing him and all others aboard the plane.Jim Croce
at vegasvalleycomputers.biz, URL accessed November 17, 2009

11/17/09 The arena hosted the Southland Conference men's basketball tournament in 2005–06.Northwestern State Wins Men's O'Reilly Auto Parts/SLC Tournament Title
at southland.org, URL accessed November 17, 2009
Archived
11/17/2009

Loyola University New Orleans Loyola University New Orleans is a Private university, private Jesuit university in New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name o ...

women's basketball player Keiva Council set the single-game scoring record in the building with 48 points in an 84–80 Wolfpack victory over Northwestern State on November 25, 2011.

References

College basketball venues in the United States College volleyball venues in the United States Sports venues in Natchitoches, Louisiana Sports venues in Louisiana Indoor arenas in Louisiana Basketball venues in Louisiana Volleyball venues in Louisiana Northwestern State Demons basketball Northwestern State Lady Demons basketball Northwestern State Lady Demons volleyball Music venues in Louisiana Buildings and structures in Natchitoches, Louisiana 1964 establishments in Louisiana Sports venues completed in 1964 {{Louisiana-stadium-stub

History

See also

References