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Location | 4400 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Beaumont, Texas 77710 |
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Coordinates | 30°2′38″N94°4′15″W / 30.04389°N 94.07083°W |
Owner | Lamar University |
Operator | Lamar University |
Executive suites | Red Room: 20 to 150 Morgan Suites: 7 Suites with 16 seats each (face football field) |
Capacity | Maximum: 10,746 Basketball: 10,080 (Permanent seating: 8,102 and telescopic chairback seating system: 1,978) |
Record attendance | Men's Game: 10,010 (on January 10, 1987 vs McNeese State Cowboys) [1] Women's Game: 9,143 (on March 17, 1991 vs LSU Lady Tigers) [2] [3] |
Surface | Multi-surface |
Construction | |
Broke ground | June 20, 1983 |
Built | June 20, 1983 –November 1984 [4] |
Opened | November 24, 1984 |
Renovated | 2005, 2008 (Major repairs due to Hurricanes Rita and Ike) [5] [6] |
Expanded | 1985 |
Construction cost | $12.5 million ($36.7 million in 2023 dollars [7] ) |
Architect | LaBiche Architectural Group |
Structural engineer | Walter P Moore [8] |
Tenants | |
Lamar Cardinals men's basketball Lamar Cardinals women's basketball | |
Website | |
Montagne Center |
Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at theMontagne Center, built in 1984, is a mixed-use event center that houses a 10,746-seat a multi-purpose arena and a variety of event spaces in Beaumont, Texas. The Montagne Center was designed especially for the basketball program with a wing designated for instructional purposes. The Montagne Center is currently home to the Lamar University Cardinals, the Lady Cardinals basketball teams, and the Lamar University Pathway Program, Lamar University's language program. The arena was previously the home of the Lady Cardinals volleyball team until renovations to McDonald Gym were completed in 2006–07. The Montagne's instructional area has been home to Lamar's language program since 2010 when the Lamar Language Institute (LLI) first moved there, then transitioned to TIEP at Lamar in 2011, and became the Lamar University Language Program (LUPP) in 2017.
The Montagne Center is a mixed-use facility with a split funding arrangement, as required by state statute. Much of the center is devoted to sports and special events; a wing of the center is devoted to education.
The Sports & Events Center
After one year of operation, the arena's seating capacity was expanded from 8,000 in basketball configuration to its current seating capacity of 10,080. [9] The 10,080 capacity is made up of 8,102 permanent seats and a telescopic chairback seating system totaling 1,978 seats. All seats in the arena are chairbacked and all are cushioned with the exception of folding back seats in the four topmost rows of seats. Including floor seating, the arena has a maximum capacity of 10,746 in event configuration. The arena was named Neches Federal Credit Union Arena in 2023 in return for a $3.5 million donation by Neches Federal Credit Union. Naming rights to the arena extend to December 31, 2033. [10]
The arena floor can host sporting events including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, boxing and martial arts tournaments. With stadium and floor seating, the Montagne Center can be configured for hosting concert events. The arena floor (which can be expanded to 165' x121') can also be transformed into hosting graduation ceremonies, proms, dances, banquets and conferences.
The Morgan Suites and Red Room are both sports suites housed in the Montagne. The Morgan suites face the football field and are priced at $25,000 a year. Each of the seven suites has seating for 16. The Red Room is a university reception center for alumni and reunion events. The Red Room is unique because one side has windows facing the North end of the Football field while the other side faces the basketball court.
The building includes the following in addition to the main arena area:
Educational Area
The educational wing houses the Lamar University Pathway Program, is located on the ground floor of the Montagne Center and contains a variety of instructional space designated to serve domestic and international students and ESOL teacher development. Language contains 5 modern equipped classrooms, a computer lab/classroom, office and conference suite, and student lounge.
Lamar University Pathway Program (LUPP) offers three language programs through domestic and international collaborations.
On February 19, 2011, during halftime Billy Tubbs was honored by Lamar with the naming of the Montagne Center basketball court in his and his wife's honor. The court was named the "Billy & Pat Tubbs Court". [11] [12] During the same halftime ceremony Lamar also honored Billy's 78-79 Cardinal squad the first team in Lamar University history to advance to the NCAA tournament.
A small piece of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament East Regional – Syracuse, New York is now part of the Montagne Center. The goals used in the Syracuse Regional were moved to and installed in the Montagne Center in April 2015. [13]
The Montagne Center received significant damage from both Hurricane Rita (September 24, 2005) and Hurricane Ike (September 13, 2008). According to a November 2005 issue of the Cardinal Cadence, Lamar University's Alumni magazine, Rita severely damaged the roof leaving gaping holes. Exterior tiles around the building were blown out leaving the arena area exposed. Also, the mezzanine entrances were destroyed. [5] Hurricane Ike, striking three years later, also did significant damage to the center. According to an October 2008 issue of the Cardinal Cadence, exterior tiles again were blown out and the roof was damaged. Additionally, glass walls gave way. [6]
Source: [22]
Below is a list of the Cardinals 10 best-attended games men's* home games (all at the Montagne Center).
Rk. | Date | Opponent | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|
Top 10 Attendance | |||
1 | January 10, 1987 | McNeese State | 10,010 |
2 | February 27, 1986 | McNeese State | 9,467 |
3 | December 16, 1985 | LSU | 9,432 |
4 | January 24, 1987 | Arkansas State | 8,992 |
5 | March 15, 1985 | Houston | 8,610 |
6 | December 27, 1995 | Texas | 8,454 |
7 | February 23, 2008 | Northwestern St. | 8,338 |
8 | January 26, 1985 | Louisiana Tech | 8,317 |
9 | March 20, 1985 | Chattanooga | 8,245 |
10 | November 26, 1985 | Villanova | 8,216 |
As of the 2018–19 season.
*Note: Record home attendance for a Lady Cardinals game at the Montagne Center of 9,143 was on March 17, 1991, vs the LSU Lady Tigers. [23] [24]
Below is a list of the attendance by year since the Cardinals moved into the Montagne Center.
Season | Average | High |
---|---|---|
Yearly Attendance | ||
2022–23 [25] | 1,853 | 2,620 |
2021–22 [25] | 2,221 | 3,532 |
2020–21 [25] | 1,282 | 2,359* |
2019–20 [25] | 2,256 | 4,254 |
2018–19 [25] | 2,356 | 5,218 |
2017–18 [25] | 1,560 | 2,196 |
2016–17 [25] | 1,890 | 2,774 |
2015–16 [25] | 1,776 | 2,312 |
2014-15 [25] | 2,173 | 3,543 |
2013-14 [25] | 2,170 | 3,984 |
2012-13 [25] | 2,664 | 6,059 |
2011-12 [25] | 2,834 | 5,138 |
2010-11 [25] | 3,176 | 5,083 |
2009-10 [25] | 2,970 | 4,675 |
2008-09 [25] | 3,673 | 6,182 |
2007-08 [25] | 3,704 | 8,338 |
2006-07 [25] | 3,579 | 7,497 |
2005-06 [25] | 3,269 | 5,173 |
2004-05 [25] | 3,986 | 6,164 |
2003-04 [25] | 4,063 | 5,347 |
2002-03 [25] | 3,338 | 4,537 |
2001-02 [25] | 2,670 | 4,147 |
2000-01 [25] | 2,768 | 5,033 |
1999-2000 [25] | 3,704 | 6,271 |
1998-99 [25] | 3,382 | 6,193 |
1997-98 [25] | 4,442 | 7,584 |
1996-97 [25] | 2,638 | 5,089 |
1995-96 [25] | 2,822 | 8,454 |
1994-95 [25] | 2,294 | 4,142 |
1993-94 [25] | 2,987 | 3,876 |
1992-93 [25] | 3,861 | 8,033 |
1991-92 [25] | 3,602 | 5,642 |
1990-91 [25] | 5,437 | 7,641 |
1989-90 [25] | 1,629 | 2,932 |
1988-89 [25] | 4,562 | 6,615 |
1987-88 [25] | 4,562 | 7,504 |
1986-87 [25] | 6,615 | 10,010 |
1985-86 [25] | 6,326 | 9,467 |
1984-85 [25] | 6,306 | 8,310 |
* Fall 2020 attendance limited to 25% capacity due to COVID19 precautions. [26]
As of the 2021–22 season.
Lamar University is a public university in Beaumont, Texas. Lamar has been a member of the Texas State University System since 1995. It was the flagship institution of the former Lamar University System. As of the fall of 2022, the university enrollment was 17,044 students. Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas.
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Billy Duane Tubbs was an American men's college basketball coach. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native was the head coach of his alma mater Lamar University, the University of Oklahoma (1980–1994) and Texas Christian University (1994–2002). His first head coaching job — from 1971-72 through 1972-73 — was at Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, where his teams were 12–16 and 19–8. From there he went to the University of North Texas to serve as assistant coach under Gene Robbins and for one year under Bill Blakeley.
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Ford Park is a 221-acre multi-purpose entertainment complex consisting of an arena, exhibit hall, amphitheater, midway, and 12 youth baseball fields located on I-10 South in Beaumont, Texas. The complex opened in 2003. It is owned by Jefferson County, Texas and operated by OVG360, a division of the Oak View Group. It is the home of the South Texas State Fair.
Provost Umphrey Stadium is a 16,000-seat multi-purpose stadium located on the campus of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. The stadium, home to the Lamar Cardinals football team, is located next to the Montagne Center. While primarily used for football, Provost Umphrey Stadium is also a concert venue with seating up to 20,000 for concerts. The stadium was completely renovated in 2009 and is designed to allow for a future expansion to 28,000.
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Vincent–Beck Stadium is a ballpark located in Beaumont, Texas, on Jim Gilligan Way on the campus of Lamar University. The stadium was built in 1969 and has a current capacity of 3,500 spectators. It is the home stadium of the Lamar Cardinals baseball team. It was also home to the Beaumont Golden Gators, a minor league Double-A Texas League affiliate of the San Diego Padres (1983–1986) as well as the Beaumont Bullfrogs of the Central Baseball League (1994). The facility is named after former Major League Baseball coach Al Vincent and Bryan Beck, a former member of the Lamar University board of regents.
The Lamar Cardinals basketball team represents Lamar University in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Cardinals currently play in the Southland Conference following a return from the Western Athletic Conference on July 11, 2022. They were one of four programs, all from Texas, that left the Southland Conference on July 1, 2021, to join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Lamar left the Southland Conference for the second time, having initially joined at the league's formation in 1963, left in 1987, and returned in 1999. After one season in the WAC, Lamar returned to the Southland Conference. The Cardinals have played home games in the Montagne Center since 1984. The Lamar University basketball team is one of the school's most storied athletic programs. The Cardinals have competed in NCAA Tournament play eleven times and six times at the NCAA Division I level with the most recent appearance in the 2012 tournament. The 1979–80 team was one of the 1980 tournament's Sweet Sixteen teams. The Cardinals have also competed in four NIT tournaments. Heading into the 2014–2015 season Lamar had a 284–143 record in the Montagne Center. The Cardinals overall record going into the 2014–2015 season was 922–818.
Downtown Beaumont is the central business district of Beaumont, Texas. It is where the city's highrise buildings are located, as well as being the center of government and business for the region. Downtown Beaumont is currently experiencing a renaissance, with streets, sidewalks and historic buildings receiving significant attention.
The Lamar Cardinals football program represents Lamar University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. The Cardinals are members of the Southland Conference and play their home games in the 16,000 seat Provost Umphrey Stadium. The Cardinals left the Southland Conference in July 2021 to join the Western Athletic Conference, which relaunched its football league at the FCS level during the 2021 season. After one season in the WAC, Lamar and the Southland Conference announced on July 11, 2022 Lamar's accelerated return to the Southland Conference effective immediately.
The Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball team represents Lamar University in NCAA Division I women's basketball competition. The team plays in the 10,080 seat Montagne Center. The Lady Cardinals currently compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Southland Conference.
The 2013–14 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball team represented Lamar University during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Lady Cardinals, led by first year head coach Robin Harmony, played their home games at the Montagne Center and are members of the Southland Conference. The Lady Cardinals finished the season tied for the Southland Conference regular season championship with Stephen F. Austin. The Lady Cardinals were the Number One seed in the conference tournament because of the conference tie-breaker. After falling to Northwestern Louisiana in the Conference tournament final game, the Lady Cardinals received and invitation to the WNIT. The Lady Cardinals played the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg, MS.
The 2015–16 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball team represented Lamar University during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Lady Cardinals, led by third year head coach Robin Harmony, played their home games at the Montagne Center and are members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season with a 12-19 overall record and a 7-11 conference record. Qualifying for the conference tournament, the Lady Cardinals won the first game against Houston Baptist and were eliminated by McNeese State.
The 1990–91 Lamar Cardinals basketball team represented Lamar University during the 1990–91 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Lady Cardinals were led by fifth-year head coach Al Barbre. The team played their home games at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas and were members of the American South Conference. The Lady Cardinals finished the season with a 29–4 overall and a 12–0 conference record. The team qualified for the 1991 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament winning games against Texas, LSU, and Arkansas. The team lost to eventual tournament championship game participant, Virginia in the Elite Eight.
The Lamar Lady Cardinals volleyball team represents Lamar University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. The Lady Cardinals compete in the Southland Conference and play their home games at McDonald Gym, an on campus facility in Beaumont, Texas. Ariel Apolinario was named head coach on January 5, 2024. He replaced former head coach Brandon Crisp who left the program on November 13, 2023.
The 2023–24 Lamar Cardinals basketball team represented Lamar University during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cardinals were led by third-year head coach Alvin Brooks and played their home games at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas. They finished the 2023–24 season 19–14 overall and 12–6 in Southland Conference play for a fourth place conference finish. As the 4th seeded team, the Cardinals were 1–1 in the SLC tournament defeating 8th seeded New Orleans 71–57 and losing to 1st seeded McNeese 57–76 in the semi–final round.
Until further notice, attendance at campus events will be limited to 25% of the venue's seating capacity and adherence to social distancing of 6 feet between each individual, family, or party in attendance. (Larger parties may be asked to separate into smaller groups for safety.)