The Early Years
In the first two years The Center was open over 2 million guests enjoyed a wide variety of sporting, entertainment, and cultural events. The first two years alone provided more than 200 events. The diversity of events helped the Center fulfill its mission to not only the University but also Greater Columbus and central Ohio. The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, KISS, N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Tina Turner, Cher, Bette Midler, Kenny Rogers, Bill Gaither, Alan Jackson, Limp Bizkit, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billy Joel, Bolshoi Ballet, WWF, the Ohio High School State wrestling and basketball Championships, Professional Basketball and Ice Hockey, the Harlem Globetrotters, Champions on Ice, Sesame Street Live and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus were just a few of the events hosted.
The number of guests attending events or visiting the Center average one million per year. And the reputation keeps growing. National acts continue to flock to the Central Ohio and Campus area. The Center hosted rehearsals and tour openings for both Neil Diamond and Fleetwood Mac. In 2002 the Jeopardy College Championships were held at the Center. After moving in the custom, campus themed set for 7 days, 10 shows were recorded over one weekend for one of the most successful remote tapings in years. Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John and Bon Jovi stopped on campus during their national tours. The arts community also has taken notice as Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Liza Minnelli, and the Three Tenors have all played the Center.
The Rolling Stones, Pavarotti, and Bruce Springsteen are all honorary members of The Million Dollar Club. The Backstreet Boys have the record for fastest sell out at 9.5 minutes!
With the opening of the Center new attendance records were set for Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball and Ice Hockey. Ice Hockey alone saw its average attendance grow from 1,500 per game to almost 7,000 per game. A focal point for recruiting, the Center also developed a reputation as housing some of the loudest fans in the Big Ten, cheering the Men's Basketball team on to its first Final Four appearance in almost 30 years and leading the Women's Basketball team to the 2001 NIT Championship.