Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
KSU Convocation Center 590 Cobb Ave Kennesaw, GA 30144
Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 3,800
Hooty Hoo
Kennesaw State University, located in the northwest Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, was once primarily known as a commuter school, but after significant investments in on-campus housing in the early 2000s, the university has experienced substantial growth in both its student population and its presence in college athletics.
Since moving to NCAA Division I in 2009, Kennesaw State has competed as a member of the Big South and Atlantic Sun conferences. In 2024, the Owls will begin their inaugural season as members of Conference USA.
Food & Beverage 2
The concession menu at KSU Convocation Center offers a range of basic options to satisfy your hunger, though it lacks notable specialty items. Featured items include hot dogs, nachos, and pretzels, along with popcorn, candy, and chip options.
Beverage choices come from the Coca-Cola family, Powerade, and Dasani water. For adult beverages, the selection includes common domestic beers, craft beers, Emergency Drinking Beer, and Sweetwater 420, as well as White Claw seltzer and Long Drink spirits.
Atmosphere 3
Built in 2005, the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center has maintained a modern feel despite it being nearly 20 years old. In addition to hosting KSU volleyball, it also serves as the home for the Owls men’s and women’s basketball programs.
The front entrance welcomes fans with a wall of windows that open into a shallow but spacious two-level lobby – entrances on either side lead to a walkway above court level. Upon first sight of the competition area, the school-specific black and yellow seats stand out as players warm up on the court below. A large, digital video board at the far end of the arena displays not only advertisements but set scores, a live feed of the game, and individual player and team stats.
Volleyball, by nature, has a positive and festive nature to it. Owls points are celebrated by dual percussionists stationed courtside, while cheerleaders cheer along. During breaks in the action, the cheerleaders engage fans by throwing t-shirts into the crowd, mostly targeted to the younger or the most enthusiastic of fans.
Seating is general admission, allowing fans to choose their preferred experience. Some may opt to sit close to the court for the appreciation of the speed and power of the game up close, while those choosing a higher vantage point have a better view of point rotations.
Neighborhood 3
Kennesaw State University is situated in the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, where residential neighborhoods transition into college apartments and shopping centers. While the area may lack the typical college town atmosphere, its proximity to shopping and dining makes it convenient for grabbing a bite before or after the match.
Downtown Kennesaw is just 2.5 miles from campus, offering a small selection of restaurants and two popular tap houses, School House Brewing and Horned Owl Brewing. The area also features the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History Museum, which highlights the Civil War era ‘Great Locomotive Chase’ that began in Kennesaw.
For those seeking outdoor activities, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is just a 10-minute drive from campus and has miles of trails for visitors to explore, along with an amazing view of the area from atop the mountain’s summit.
Fans 3
The Owls do a good job drawing fans out in support of the volleyball program, typically around 400 fans per match. While there does not seem to be a formal student support group, students are scattered throughout the stands.
The strongest support, however, comes from local youth volleyball players, who show up in large numbers to cheer on the Owls. The metro Atlanta area has a strong youth volleyball system, and this is reflected in the enthusiasm and support that the next generation of players shows for both collegiate and professional volleyball in the area.
Access 3
Kennesaw State University is centrally located in Kennesaw, just west of Interstate 75. During rush hour traffic, the area often becomes extremely congested, especially for those traveling north from Atlanta. However, once past the highway traffic, accessing the KSU Convocation Center is very direct.
Free parking is available in the East Deck behind the arena. However, there is only one entrance to the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center, requiring fans to walk around the building for access. On the plus side, there is usually not much of a wait to enter the arena.
Return on Investment 5
Kennesaw State volleyball offers a great opportunity for families or youth volleyball teams to enjoy a match at little to no cost. Both parking in the adjacent garage and admission are free, with concessions as the only expense, but those are also reasonably priced.
Extras 3
The action on the court is paired nicely with in-house music that is accompanied by a drum duo to celebrate points, as well as to entertain fans before the match gets underway and in between sets.
Scrappy, Kennesaw State’s owl mascot, is a constant presence, engaging with fans and taking photos with them throughout the arena.
Following each Friday night match, the team invites fans onto the court for a post-match autograph session and meet-and-greet.
Final Thoughts
Kennesaw State Volleyball does a good job of providing an entertaining platform for the university to showcase volleyball for both the student body and the local community. It would be nice to see more of an organized student support group in place, but it seems like the local community and youth volleyball programs do a good job of filling that void. In turn, the KSU volleyball program and its players go above and beyond to serve as role models for volleyball’s next generation.
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