Tech set to host final game at Alexander Memorial before major re

Sports

Tech set to host final game at Alexander Memorial before major re

Georgia Tech will host the final game at Alexander Memorial Coliseum Sunday before the building undergoes a $45 million renovation.

Georgia Tech plays its final game in Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Sunday before the 55 year-old arena undergoes a $45 million renovation. The Yellow Jackets take on Miami.

Since the building opened, the Yellow Jackets have won three ACC titles, been to the Sweet Sixteen seven times and the Final Four twice. Many former players have gone on to successful NBA careers.

After more than a year of renovations that will leave little more than the old coliseum's roof, it will be known as Hank McCamish Pavilion. It is set to open for the 2012-13 season.

McCamish is a 1950 graduate of Tech and a longtime insurance executive. The McCamish family donated $15 million to the project.

"If we were going to do something major to this building, now's the time to move forward with it," Tech AD Dan Radakovich said. The current building needed about $20 million in maintenance. Radakovich added the court will remain named in honor of former coach Bobby Cremins.

A courtyard outside the arena will honor William Alexander, the former football coach and athletic director at the school for whom the coliseum was originally named for in 1956.

The school also recently opened a new practice facility named for Stephen Zelnak, a 1969 Tech grad who gave a gift of $3.75 million for the building of the facility. The 20,000-square-foot Zelnak Center, which connects to Alexander Memorial Coliseum's southeast side, cost $8.5 million.

Known as the "Thrillerdome," fans have stayed away this season as the Jackets basketball team has struggled on the court. It holds 9,191 fans. The remodeled coliseum will have a capacity of 8,900.

Attendance at Georgia Tech women's basketball games at Alexander Memorial Coliseum has grown over the past five years, and the team averaged more than 2,000 fans per game this season, the most in recent history.

The building, the second-oldest in the ACC, is home to a long history of success for Tech. "I got chill bumps when it really got good," said former Georgia Tech broadcaster Brad Nessler.

After the last major renovation before the 1996 Olympics, the arena was known as the McDonald's Center for a time. The fast-food chain gave $5.5 million to that project.

Part of the 1996 renovations included the installation of chairback seats for the first time as well as the addition of air conditioning units.

The arena also hosted boxing during the 1996 Olympics.

And it was used to hold much of the SEC Tournament in 2008 after a tornado hit the Georgia Dome. Rival Georgia took the title that year.

The building is used for more than basketball. Graduations and concerts have taken place at Alexander Memorial Coliseum including the College of Engineering commencement in 2010.

1/15

Georgia Tech plays its final game in Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Sunday before the 55 year-old arena undergoes a $45 million renovation. The Yellow Jackets take on Miami.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Spring Training Day 3 (Thursday)

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

1h ago

Her Story Art and Food

AJC photos of the month -- January 2026

Spring Training Day 2 (Wednesday)

PHOTOS: Braves settle into day 2 of spring training

Spring Training Day 1

PHOTOS: Braves arrive for spring training

More Galleries

aajc 011926 hawks-mlkgame

PHOTOS: Hawks and Bucks in action on MLK Day

atlanta hawks, boston celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks fall at home to Celtics

Georgia basketball vs. Arkansas

PHOTOS: No. 21 Georgia holds off No. 17 Arkansas in men's basketball

aajc 011626 buford nc ceremony

Buford football holds ceremony to celebrate its consensus national championship