University of Virginia's John Paul Jones Arena
John Paul Jones Arena, opening for the 2006–2007 NCAA Division I basketball season, is
located at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. It has seating for 15,219
fans, nearly twice the capacity of 8,457 at Virginia's previous facility, University Hall. The
design features columns on the outside to tie in the design with Scott Stadium, UVa's
football facility. This style is known as Jeffersonian architecture, reminiscent of the many
buildings designed by Thomas Jefferson on UVa's grounds and nearby.
John Paul Jones Arena is named in honor of the father of Paul Tudor Jones, a commodity
trader and Virginia alumnus who donated $35 million for the construction of the arena.
Paul Tudor Jones earned a B.A. in Economics from the University in 1976. His father,
John Paul "Jack" Jones, is a 1948 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law.
Design of John Paul Jones Arena
The arena is in a U shape with the top closed. The curved western end is the main
entrance and ticket sales office. The locker rooms, sports medicine facility and event
support are located on the first floor or "event level." Access to suites and lower level
seating, concessions, bathrooms and VIP lounges is located on the second floor or the
"lower concourse," while higher level seating, concessions, bathrooms and the ticket
office are via the third floor "upper concourse," which is actually at ground level from the
parking lot and garage.
The arena features a custom designed steel roof support structure. The pieces were
manufactured in San Angelo, Texas and shipped by trucks to the site. Some pieces were
so large and heavy, it took two large cranes to hoist them in place. The arena is being
outfitted with the latest in lighting and audio/video technologies, including four 16 ft by 9 ft
(4.9 by 2.7 m) plasma screens for game replay. Total cost of the audio/video system
exceeds $7 million.
A 900-car parking garage was simultaneously constructed next to the arena, mainly for
VIP and donor parking. A double story pedestrian walkway links the arena to the parking
garage. A separate mechanical plant is part of the parking lot structure and provides
heating and cooling functions.
The arena was designed by VMDO Architects and Ellerbe Becket, and the general
contractor was Barton Mallow. Work began in April 2003, which included the demolition of
a parking lot that served University Hall. The arena celebrated its topping off on June 22,
2005. Most of the arena was given its certificate of occupancy on June 16, 2006. The
parking garage was inspected and passed on July 15, 2006. The locker rooms, practice
courts and the sports medicine facility were inspected and passed August 4, 2006. One
man died during construction, the result of a heart attack.
Most Memorable Games of the 1st Season at the Arena
The University of Virginia opened the John Paul Jones Arena on November 12, 2006 with a pair of victories. The Virginia women's basketball team
defeated Old Dominion University 92–72 in the afternoon. Later that evening in front of a capacity crowd of 15,219, the Virginia men's basketball
team defeated #10 ranked Arizona Wildcats 93–90, rallying from a 19 point first half deficit. Both games included elaborate pre-game festivities
that featured a fireworks display and the Cavalier mascot rappelling from the rafters. Michael Buffer was introduced to announce the Virginia
starting lineup prior to men's game.
On February 1, 2007, the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team defeated the #8 Duke University Blue Devils 68–66 in overtime, marking their
first win over Duke since February of 2002. The Cavaliers trailed by eight points with 3:42 left in regulation but their defense held Duke without a
field goal for the final 8:42 of the game, including all of overtime. With 24.8 seconds left in regulation, a Sean Singletary 15-footer forced the extra
period; Singletary also hit the game-winning basket with one hand while falling backward with one second left in overtime. The win marked
Virginia's fifth ACC victory in a row and ended Duke's own five-game winning streak.
On March 1, 2007, the men's basketball team defeated Virginia Tech 69–56, clinching at least a share of first place in the final ACC regular
season standings for the 2006–2007 season. The victory marked the school-record 16th home win of the season, and the Cavaliers finished 16–
1 for the season in their new arena. Furthermore, Virginia went an undefeated 8–0 in league games at home for the first time since the Hoos went
7–0 at home in 1982. Also at this game, the fans in attendance said goodbye to two 4th-year players, J.R. Reynolds and Jason Cain, both of
whom have contributed greatly to the Virginia Basketball program.
