Smith Spectrum

Dee Glen Smith Spectrum

Interior of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in 2013
Logan Location in the United States Show map of the United States Logan Location in Utah Show map of Utah
Former names	USU Assembly Center (1970–1971)
Address	900 East 900 North
Location	Utah State University Logan, Utah, U.S.
Coordinates	41°44′53″N111°48′43″W / 41.748°N 111.812°W / 41.748; -111.812
Owner	Utah State University
Operator	Utah State University
Capacity	10,270
Surface	Hardwood
Construction
Broke ground	1968
Opened	December 1, 1970; 53 years ago (1970-12-01)
Construction cost	$3 million ($23.5 million in 2024 [1] )
Architect	Folsom and Hunt
Tenants
Utah State Aggies (NCAA) (Men's & Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball, Gymnastics)

The Dee Glen Smith Spectrum is a 10,270-seat multi-purpose arena in the western United States, located on the campus of Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Best known as the home of the Utah State Aggies men's and the women's basketball teams, it also hosts gymnastics, volleyball, and other sporting events. The elevation at street level is approximately 4,770 feet (1,450 m) above sea level.

In addition to sporting events, the Smith Spectrum is utilized for concerts, commencement ceremonies, and other special events central to the Cache Valley community. Originally known as the Assembly Center, the arena's first basketball game was 54 years ago on December 1, 1970, a 95–89 victory over Ohio State. ^[2]

It became known as the Spectrum within the next year, and was named for Dee Glen Smith, founder of Smith's Food and Drug, ^[3] whose contribution funded a 1988 renovation that added new offices for the athletics department and ticket office.

USU Men's Basketball

Main article: Utah State Aggies men's basketball

Since the Spectrum's inaugural 1970-1971 season, through the 2018–19 season, the Aggies are a combined 588–140 (.808) at home.

In December 2005, the Utah State Aggies played their 500th game in the Spectrum. In those games, USU amassed a dominating record of 398 wins and 102 losses versus its competition.

Large crowds are another characteristic of the arena, as the Aggies have averaged better than 7,000 fans per game in 38 of their 42 seasons in the Smith Spectrum, and have averaged better than 8,500 fans per game every year since the 2007–08 season. ^[4] A large part of the home court advantage comes from the USU student section, known as The Hurd.

Student section of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum during the 2006–07 season

On March 1, 1990, two former Utah State students set off a water bomb that soaked UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian and other UNLV coaches and players with a blue-green dye. UNLV was awarded two technical free throws and made both of them. UNLV won the game by two points, 84–82. ^{[5] [6]}

Stew Morrill Era

From 1998 to 2015, head coach Stew Morrill amassed a home record of 248–32 (.886) over 17 seasons. In that same time period, the Aggies were 119–20 (.856) against league opponents and 125–12 (.912) in non-conference games at home. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Utah State held the second-longest home winning streak in the NCAA, having won 34 straight home games. ^[7] The Aggies finished the 2007–08 season ^[8] as well as the 2008–09 season ^[9] with undefeated marks at home.

Records at the Spectrum

Overall: 621–147 (.809) ^[10]

Stew Morrill era (1998–2015): 248–32 (.886)

Craig Smith era (2018–2021): 40–4 (.909)

Undefeated seasons (6): 1973–74 (14–0), 1997–98 (15–0), 2000–01 (15–0), 2007–08 (17–0), 2008–09 (17–0), 2010–11 (17–0)

Longest win streak: 37 (November 2007 – December 2009)

See also

• List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas

References

1. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
2. Miller, Hack (December 2, 1970). "USU, Weber win openers". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. D1.
3. "Utah State Aggies Official Athletic Site - on Campus". Archived from the original on 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
4. USUStats.com :: Season Results
5. Sorensen, Mike (March 2, 1990). "Aggies give Rebels a scare in rematch". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. D1.
6. "Summonses are issued against two in water bombing of UNLV's bench". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 14, 1990. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
7. "Men's Basketball Season In Review - Utah State Aggies Official Athletic Site". www.utahstateaggies.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-20.
8. USUStats.com :: Season Results : 2007-08
9. USUStats.com :: Season Results : 2008-09
10. "USUStats.com - Season Results". usustats.com. Retrieved 2022-02-08.

External links

• Utah State University Athletics – Dee Glen Smith Spectrum