Dale F. Halton Arena
Dale F. Halton Arena (commonly shortened to Halton Arena) is an indoor sports venue located on the campus of UNC Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the home venue of the Charlotte 49ers men's and women's basketball teams and volleyball team.
Halton Arena was named for the former president and CEO of a Pepsi bottling company located in Charlotte. She remains a benefactor to the university. The building was funded entirely through private donations and student fees.
The arena is located inside the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center (known commonly by students as "The SAC") on the campus of university. Its seating capacity for basketball and volleyball is listed as 9,105. The University holds its commencement ceremonies every December and May inside the arena.
The arena opened on December 2, 1996 when the 49ers men's basketball team defeated Appalachian State in a non-conference game. It was the fourth primary home court for the 49ers since they joined the NCAA's Division I in 1971; previously the 49ers played at the on-campus Belk Gymnasium, or "The Mine Shaft" (1970-76), Cricket Arena (1976-88, 1992-96), and the Charlotte Coliseum (1988-92). Even after the men's basketball team began playing its home games off campus, the women's basketball and volleyball teams remained at Belk Gym.
Halton Arena was the location for the 2005 Conference USA women's basketball tournament.