Gentry Center – Tennessee State Tigers

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71

Gentry Center 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd Nashville, TN 37209

Tennessee State Tigers website

Gentry Center website

Year Opened: 1980

Capacity: 9,100

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This House is Fit for a Tiger

Basketball at Tennessee State University began in 1944 under the leadership of Henry A. Kean. While the program established a solid foundation in its early years, it rose to national prominence under John McLendon, a disciple of the game’s creator, James Naismith. Under McLendon, the Tigers won three consecutive NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship titles in 1957-1959.

Tennessee State moved to what would become the NCAA Division II level in 1968 before transitioning to NCAA Division 1 in 1977; the Tigers competed as an independent for a decade before joining the Ohio Valley Conference in 1987.

Named in honor of longtime professor, coach, and athletic director Howard C. Gentry Sr., the Tigers have played at Gentry Center since 1980.

Food & Beverage   2

There are two concession stands inside Gentry Center, one located in the main lobby just inside the entrance and another on the track level overlooking the court.

Options are fairly limited, consisting mainly of hot dogs, nachos with cheese, chips, and candy. Coca-Cola soft drinks and Powerade sports drinks are also available at the stands. Aside from a ticketed seating area at one end of the floor, alcoholic beverages are not sold inside Gentry Center.

Atmosphere   3

Gentry Center is a large concrete facility with a somewhat imposing exterior. The building has few windows, though it appears to have undergone some updates in recent years, including the addition of an aquatics and fitness center.

Inside, the arena feels open and somewhat cavernous. Seating is primarily on the lower level, with bleachers behind the baskets often pushed in. An indoor track circles the top of the seating bowl, which helps make navigating the arena relatively straightforward.

A four-sided scoreboard hangs over center court, displaying the game clock, score, individual player points, and personal fouls. Video boards mounted along the upper seating level also show a live feed of the game.

Like many other HBCU programs, Tennessee State incorporates its band into the game atmosphere. Early in the game the band provides an energetic and entertaining backdrop, though its presence tends to fade as the game progresses. This is somewhat disappointing since the band helps establish a lively tone early on.

Neighborhood   4

Tennessee State’s campus sits in the Hadley Park area of west Nashville.

The nearby Jefferson Street corridor has long been considered the heart of Black music, business, and activism in the city. Today, the Gateway to Heritage Trail highlights that history through public art, murals, and interpretive displays that tell the story of the neighborhood’s role in the Civil Rights movement and Nashville’s musical legacy.

For food close to campus, Salem Market and Deli is highly regarded for its gyros and Mediterranean plates. In addition, just across Interstate 40, Charlotte Avenue offers a wide range of independently owned eateries.

About two miles down Jefferson Street sits the Germantown neighborhood, home to First Horizon Park, where the Nashville Sounds play. Also, one of the area’s hidden gems is Little Hats Italian Market, known for its sandwiches.

The center of Nashville’s nightlife, Broadway, is just under four miles from campus. The district is packed with bars, restaurants, and hotels, and is also home to the NHL’s Nashville Predators, who play at Bridgestone Arena.

Fans   2

Attendance for Tennessee State men’s basketball has been somewhat inconsistent over the past five years. During that stretch, the Tigers have ranged from near the top of the Ohio Valley Conference in attendance, averaging more than 2,700 fans per game, to near the bottom at just over 500.

Recent attendance figures fall toward the lower end of that range. Perhaps more surprising is the relatively small student presence at games, which limits the potential game-day energy inside the arena.

Access   3

Tennessee State’s campus sits just west of downtown Nashville, only a few blocks from Interstate 40, which runs east to west across the state. This location makes the campus relatively easy to reach, though typical metropolitan traffic, especially during evening rush hour, can complicate the trip.

Parking around Gentry Center is somewhat informal. While there are no clearly marked visitor lots, many fans park along the roads leading toward the arena. The nearest lot sits adjacent to William J. Hale Stadium (Tennessee State’s prior football venue), which requires a short walk to Gentry Center.

The primary entrance leads into a small lobby at court level on the back side of the building. From there, stairs just inside the doors lead up to the main seating level. In addition, the indoor track that circles above the court runs the full length of the arena, making it relatively easy to move between seating sections.

Return on Investment   2

Tickets run $25, which on weekends often includes admission to both the men’s and women’s games. While that price point is slightly high for a typical Ohio Valley Conference matchup, the possibility of seeing two games during one visit does add some value for fans planning to stay for both contests. Tickets for children 12 and under are just $5, so there is also a draw to bring younger fans.

Extras   3

A trophy case just inside the main lobby celebrates many of the Tigers’ athletic accomplishments over the years.

Gentry Center does a great job highlighting Tennessee State’s athletic history. The Wall of Legends honors distinguished athletes from basketball and track and field, including former NBA enforcer Anthony Mason, NBA Hall of Famer Dick Barnett, and three-time Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph from the 1960 Summer Olympics.

The hallway behind court level also features displays celebrating Tiger basketball and track and field history. Exhibits highlight former players who reached the NBA, conference championship teams, and the remarkable success of the women’s track program, including the four Tennessee State athletes who made up the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s 4x100 relay team at the 1960 Olympics.

Final Thoughts

Gentry Center may not offer the flash or amenities found in some newer arenas, but it does provide an enjoyable college basketball experience along with a sense of the historic achievements of the university.

With Nashville home to three professional sports teams that overlap with the college basketball season, along with Belmont, Lipscomb, Vanderbilt, and Fisk universities, adding a stop at Gentry Center for Tennessee State basketball can make for a perfect addition to a full sports weekend in Nashville.