// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did Thomas Assembly Center goer bring a ladder? To take their seat to a higher level.
"The TAC" | |
![]() Interactive map of Samuel Thomas Assembly Center | |
| Location | 1650 West Alabama Avenue Ruston, LA 71272 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°31′56″N 92°39′30″W / 32.5321°N 92.6584°W |
| Owner | Louisiana Tech University |
| Operator | Louisiana Tech University |
| Capacity | 8,000 |
| Surface | Maplewood |
Record attendance | 8,975 (January 22, 1985) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 4, 1982 |
Cost | $17.5 million |
| Architect | Morgan, Hill, Sutton & Mitchell Architects, LLC. |
| Tenants | |
| Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Lady Techsters (NCAA) (1982–present) | |
The Samuel M. Thomas Assembly Center is an 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Ruston, Louisiana.[1] The arena, named for its benefactor and businessman Samuel M. Thomas, is home to the Division I NCAA Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs (men) and Lady Techsters (women) basketball teams. The arena also hosts concerts and events.
The arena opened in November 1982 just west of Joe Aillet Stadium, and replaced the then-30-year-old Memorial Gymnasium on the corner of Tech Drive and Railroad Avenue. The men's basketball team hosted the Southland Conference tournament in the STAC in 1985 and 1987, and four NIT games, one in 1986, two games in 2002, and one in 2015. The women's team has hosted the first, second and regional rounds of the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament nineteen times, most recently in 2003.
The TAC also serves as the home of the Louisiana Tech women's volleyball team since the program's inception in 1987.
NBA greats including Karl Malone, P.J. Brown, Randy White and Paul Millsap have called the Samuel Thomas Assembly Center home during their collegiate careers.[1]
Gallery
[edit]- Thomas Assembly Center - Signage
- Thomas Assembly Center - Main Entrance
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Thomas Assembly Center". latechsports.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-20. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
External links
[edit]- College basketball venues in Louisiana
- College volleyball venues in Louisiana
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball
- Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball
- Convention centers in Louisiana
- Music venues in Louisiana
- Sports venues in Ruston, Louisiana
- Sports venues completed in 1982
- University and college buildings and structures completed in 1982
- 1982 establishments in Louisiana
