Island Federal Credit Union Arena, commonly referred to as Island Federal Arena,[1][2][3] is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Stony Brook, New York. It is the home of the Stony Brook Seawolves men's and women's basketball teams.
 The exterior of Island Federal Arena | |
 | |
| Former names | Stony Brook University Arena (1990–2014) |
|---|---|
| Location | 100 John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York, 11790 |
| Coordinates | 40°55′03″N 73°07′33″W / 40.91741°N 73.125955°W |
| Owner | State University of New York |
| Operator | Stony Brook University |
| Capacity | 4,160 |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1990 October 3, 2014 (re-opening) |
| Renovated | 2012–2014 |
| Construction cost | $17 million
$21.1 million renovation |
| Tenants | |
| Stony Brook Seawolves (1990–2011, 2014–present) | |
| Website | |
| www.stonybrookathletics.com | |
Originally built in 1990 as the Stony Brook University Arena, it underwent a $21.1 million renovation in 2012–14. Naming rights were sold to a regional credit union, Island Federal Credit Union.[4] The Island Federal Arena has hosted the America East Conference men's basketball tournament finals in 2012 and 2016, as well as the NBA G League Finals in 2019.[5][6][7]
It contains four scoreboards and two video boards, plus four luxury suites with 16 seats each.[8] It is also used for concerts, trade shows, conventions, graduations, and other special events.
History
editThe Stony Brook University Arena opened in 1990 at a construction cost of $17 million.[9] It served as the West Wing for the Stony Brook Indoor Sports Complex.
In April 2008, Stony Brook announced plans to renovate its arena.[9] A $21.1 million renovation of the Stony Brook University Arena was announced with $20 million provided by the State of New York and an additional $1 million provided by private donations.[10] It included a seating capacity for 4,008 spectators, four luxury boxes and a VIP lounge area at the loge level with premium courtside seating. During the renovations, both basketball teams played at Pritchard Gymnasium, which like the Island Federal Credit Union Arena, is part of the Stony Brook Sports Complex.[11]
During the arena's renovation, the basketball court was rotated 90 degrees from its original angle, and the seating bowl was built around it.[12] The old arena contained gaps in the seating bowl, and the renovation faced challenges due to the physical limitations of the original structure.[12]
The renovation of the arena was completed in 2014. On October 3, 2014, the arena officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.[13] The first official general public event to take place at the newly renovated arena was a Harlem Globetrotters game.[13][14] The arena hosted its first home basketball game on November 14, 2014, and Stony Brook defeated Columbia 57–56 on a game-winning layup.[15][16]
On October 28, 2014, it was announced that Stony Brook had reached a deal with Island Federal Credit Union to purchase naming rights to the arena for $7 million.[4]
Island Federal Arena served as the home court for the Long Island Nets during the 2019 NBA G League Finals due to conflicts with the Nets' home arena, the Nassau Coliseum.[7]
During the summer of 2019, Island Federal Arena renovated its court, which previously featured the interlocking "SB" logo at mid-court. The new court contains the Seawolves' logo at mid-court, with a silhouette of Long Island that spans the entire length of the floor.[17]
In May 2024, Stony Brook announced that the 2024–25 season would be the last year under the Island Federal Arena name, with the original naming rights contract set to expire and Island Federal opting not to renew the deal.[18]
Other events
editIsland Federal Arena has also hosted numerous concerts since its 1990 opening as the Stony Brook University Arena. The first concert hosted in the venue was Bob Dylan in 1991. It would not host another concert until 2000 when Sleater-Kinney became the first music act to play the arena in nine years. Concerts in the 2000s were sparse, with only 3 Doors Down & Oleander (2000), Sugar Ray (2001), Kanye West (2004), and Jimmy Eat World & Taking Back Sunday (2005) headlining during the decade.[19]
Since the arena's rebranding as Island Federal Arena, Lupe Fiasco, 3lau, B.o.B, Twenty-One Pilots, Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon, Timeflies, Cash Cash, Future, Fetty Wap, Post Malone, 21 Savage, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, A$AP Ferg and Aminé have headlined concerts.[19]
Stony Brook University's winter graduation ceremonies take place at Island Federal Arena.[20]
Speakers include Supreme Court associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, author Janet Mock and designer Joshua Davis have held talks at Island Federal Arena.[21][22]
Gallery
edit-
Island Federal Arena in 2020 -
Island Federal Arena in 2020 -
Jameel Warney's retired number in the rafters -
Banner commemorating Stony Brook's first NCAA Tournament berth
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Release, Press. "SBU Sports: Men's basketball celebrates fourth consecutive victory | TBR News Media". Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ "Surprise Military Homecoming Creates Special Moment at December Commencement". SBU News. December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ Genn, Adina (November 4, 2021). "McInnis officially inaugurated as SBU's sixth president". Long Island Business News. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Eichenholz, Andrew (October 30, 2014). "Corporate partnership gives Stony Brook Arena a new name". The Statesman. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ Kussoy, Howie (March 11, 2012). "Stony Brook loses America East final". New York Post. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ "Seawolves punch ticket to NCAA tournament with 80-74 win over Vermont". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ a b Milholen, Chris (April 7, 2019). "Long Island Nets begin quest for G League title Sunday". NetsDaily. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ "Island Federal Credit Union Arena". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ a b "Stony Brook Unveils Plans to Renovate Basketball Arena". americaeast.com. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ "Stony Brook commences $21.1 million Stony Brook Arena renovation". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ "Stony Brook Unveils Plans to Renovate Basketball Arena". Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ a b Eichenholz, Andrew (September 25, 2014). "Stony Brook Arena serves as new home for Athletics". The Statesman. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ a b "Stony Brook University Arena ribbon cutting a slam dunk". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ "Harlem Globetrotters to open Stony Brook Arena with pair of shows October 4". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ Logan, Greg (May 19, 2012). "SBU to begin $21.1M arena renovation". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012.
- ^ "McGrew's game-winner opens #Seawolves season and new arena with a bang". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ Brookland (August 7, 2019). "Exclusive: Feast your eyes on Stony Brook's new basketball court". Medium. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Stony Brook Engages Van Wagner for New Naming Rights Partner". Stony Brook University Athletics. May 3, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ a b "Stony Brook University Concert History" (PDF). University Archives, Stony Brook University. 2020.
- ^ "Winter Commencement Ceremony Takes Place December 20 |". SBU News. December 13, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ Clukey, Keshia (October 14, 2018). "Supreme Court justice to speak at Stony Brook". Newsday. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ Brown, Maya (October 20, 2019). "Janet Mock, transgender rights activist, speaks about living authentically". The Statesman. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.