University Venues

By Zachary Chouteau - Meetings Focus, May 2011

Whether planners are seeking a peerless spectator sports outing or on the lookout for team-building options that build winning bonds, college campuses boast endless opportunities. To top things off, these settings are usually budget-friendly and are located in appealing destinations.

Here are some intriguing athletic-themed options, ranging from group gridiron excitement to a snazzy collegiate Hall of Fame showcasing superb meeting spaces, that are fit for winning teams.

John Q. Hammons Arena, Missouri State University

Springing up in Springfield, Mo., in 2008 with the help of a $30 million donation from Missouri-based hotel developer and MSU alumnus John Q. Hammons, the JQH Arena instantly became one of college basketball's most enticing hard-court havens.

"JQH Arena is one of the top on-campus basketball facilities in America," says Rick Kindhart, assistant athletics director for communications. "Its location, atmosphere and amenities not only make it a destination for basketball enthusiasts, but also make it one of the top entertainment venues in the Midwest."

Event options include 24 private suites and the PRIME Overtime Club, which can seat around 150 people and features an elevated court view as well as food and beverage service. Other nice touches at JQH include a wide concourse brimming with concession stands and TV monitors and a Hall of Fame devoted to Missouri State's athletic heritage.

Groups will also enjoy the arena's on-campus locale, plus several nearby sports-themed bars and eateries for some post-game evening excitement. One of the best is definitely Ebbets Field, an attractive former bungalow home converted into a boisterous local sports bar.

NCAA Hall of Champions

While not technically part of a college campus, the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis pays tribute to some of the best college athletes—and teams—in history, while also showcasing a forward-thinking conference center.

That was certainly the impression it made on Adam Rauch, president of New York-based One Line Sports Agency, who worked with a team of in-house event planners to create an unforgettable affair for a group of top executives and independent business owners at last year's Final Four.

"In addition to attending both the Semi-Finals and Championship Games, a multitude of activities were organized for the group that ranged from a private basketball clinic with Division I NCAA Coaches at Crispus Attucks High School to a private event at the NCAA Hall of Champions Museum," Rauch says.

He adds that the NCAA Hall of Champions shut their entire facility down for the group during the evening hours, when they held a cocktail party and dinner reception. Guests also had the opportunity to play with the wide range of interactive displays that included an indoor basketball court, football target game, virtual golf driving range and tennis serve display.

"Overall, the museum was the perfect backdrop for a successful event during the Final Four weekend," Rauch says.

Assistant Director Kelly Dodds offers her own take on the unique facility. "The NCAA Hall of Champions and Conference Center differentiates itself from other venues by having all the benefits of a conference center, but also access to the Hall of Champions for a closer look at the NCAA and its 23 sports," she says.

"The Hall of Champions provides an opportunity for the client to include team-building exercises, fun games with prizes or simply a wonderful athletic backdrop for leisure time viewing between meeting sessions."