Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Trojan Arena 5000 Veterans Stadium Dr Troy, AL 36082
Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 6,000
Where the Trojans Play H-O-R-S-E
Trojan Arena is one of the most modern college basketball arenas in the country, as it opened in 2012. This has allowed it to include some of the most up to date technology available to enhance the fan experience. The 5,200 seat facility features chair back seating, seven upper level suites and a Stadium Club for major donors.
The arena has made extensive use of LED technology throughout the basketball portion of the building. It has an LED ribbon board that encircles the entire arena and a pair of 767 square foot LED video/scoreboards at each end of the court. These are the largest end-wall boards of their kind in an indoor facility in the country. In addition, the court level of the arena has eight sections of LED scoring tables, allowing it to promote the university, provide statistical information on the game and coordinate cheers with the band/cheerleading squads simultaneously.
The exterior of the facility is designed to match the architecture of the surrounding campus and it does this flawlessly. Fans enter through a three tiered rotunda, with the concession areas located around an interior concourse and a food court with specialty foods available. These are all unique features at a university of this size.
Food & Beverage 3
Trojan Arena features four concession stands and a food court, something not usually found at an arena of this size. Just like everything else in this very modern facility, the information on the menu and prices is provided in a digital format.
Another thing that you can say about the concession pricing is that you will leave with change in your pocket… even if it is a penny. Items sold at the concession stands include hot dogs ($1.99), chicken sandwiches ($3.99) nachos ($3.99), popcorn ($2.19) BBQ pork sandwiches ($2.99), peanuts ($3.99) and chips and candy are ($1.19). Sodas are $1.99 and bottled water is $1.69.
Atmosphere 5
The Trojans have quite a basketball heritage. During their days in Division II they went to 10 NCAA tournaments under Coach Don Malestri. Coach Malestri coached at Troy for 29 years, winning 500 games at the school. During this period Troy also led the country in three point baskets, averaging 11 per game as a team.
Troy has paired this tremendous basketball heritage with a facility featuring the most up to date technology available to generate the feel of a professional arena for the citizens and students of Troy University. In addition to the large video boards, the 360-degree video ribbon and on floor graphics, Trojan Arena provides a great view of the action whether you are courtside or on the back row. Even the seating is first class, as it features a woven material with the Trojan logo embroidered into it… It is no surprise that leading stadium and arena designer Populous worked on this project.
The Trojan Arena is impressive externally as well, as it does not project the boxy gymnasium feel of many college sports facilities. The entry way into the building carries out the Trojan theme well through architecture of the rotunda, graphics of Trojan Warriors. Instead of a dusty arrangement of trophies in a display, Troy has gone digital in saluting Trojan greats and their accomplishments through the Troy Sports Hall of Fame located just off the rotunda. This salute to success is also carried out in the inside of the playing arena, with the countless championship banners hanging from the rafters surrounding the court.
Neighborhood 3
Trojan Arena is an on-campus facility on the beautiful Troy campus. Rather than standing out, the arena melds in perfectly with the architecture permeating the remainder of the campus. Campus buildings are red brick with white columned fronts with many of the newer structures featuring a turret or rotunda shaped roof at the main entrance. In between the buildings are large open quad areas with beautiful landscaping and statuary.
Just outside of the campus is the small town (population 18,000) of Troy. It is a true college town, as the major employer in town is the university. You will also find many of the merchants in the downtown area cater to the needs of college students, with several fast food locations, bookstores and other service – oriented stores.
Among the restaurants close to campus, two stand out from the rest. The first is the Sisters Restaurant and the second would have to be Hooks BBQ, which has been a local favorite for years. For adult beverages, head to Sips on the Square, where you will find the most varied selection of craft brews.
Most of the lodging in Troy is situated along Hwy 231, the major highway into Troy. Popular brands along Hotel row include the Courtyard Marriott and the Hampton Inn.
Fans 4
The Trojan Nation has come to expect a lot of the Troy basketball program due to its storied past, and many contributed to the construction of the Trojan Arena. The primary fan base comes from the student body, which can attend free of charge, due to the mandatory student activity fee all students enrolled at the university must pay. They situate themselves near the pep band made up of members of Troy’s fabled Sounds of the South Band. Pair the students, the band and the video boards with cheer graphics and you can create quite a din in the arena.
The basketball games draw well, especially when they are playing Sun Belt foes such as Georgia State, Southern Alabama or Georgia Southern. They also draw well when playing nearby Auburn University @Montgomery or Alabama State.
Access 3
The directions to getting to Troy are quite simple. From Montgomery you would take Highway 231 South for 40 miles which will bring you straight into Troy. Once in Troy simply follow the campus directional signs to Trojan Arena. There is no parking situated directly adjacent to the arena, but staff will be on hand on game nights to direct you to the nearest public lot.
Once you enter the arena you will see that it is well designed to maintain a constant flow of fans without any bottlenecks. The concourses are quite wide and the concessions are well placed at each corner of the facility.
Return on Investment 4
The return on investment from a visit to Trojan Arena is excellent. General admission seating is $10 and reserved seating is $15. Parking is free and the concessions are very reasonably priced. Add to that the professional level amenities provided by the arena and you have an entertaining evening that will not break the family budget.
Extras 2
The Troy Sports Hall of Fame is also in the Trojan Arena. The latest in digital technology is also found in this area, as members are depicted in a digital format, much like the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Amongst the notables enshrined in this Hall of Fame are former Troy Head Coach/NFL Head Coach Chan Gailey, NFL players DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Reed, Lawrence Tynes and Osi Umennylora. The Hall of Fame is adjacent to the rotunda.
The Trojan basketball team holds the NCAA record for most point ever scored in a game (258) in a 1992 game against DeVry University.
Final Thoughts
The Troy Trojans are dangerous, especially when playing at Trojan Arena. Like their fabled Trojan Horse, the enemy takes Troy lightly at their own peril.
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