Save Mart Center at Fresno State

Save Mart Center, 2009
Save Mart Center at Fresno State Location in California Show map of California Save Mart Center at Fresno State Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Address	2650 East Shaw Avenue
Location	Fresno, California, U.S.
Coordinates	36°48′35″N119°44′19″W / 36.809722°N 119.738611°W /36.809722; -119.738611
Owner	California State University, Fresno
Executive suites	40
Capacity	Concerts,Professional wrestling,Boxing – 16,182 Basketball – 15,596 Hockey – 14,224 Rodeo – 12,368
Surface	Multi-surface
Construction
Broke ground	May 8, 2001[1]
Opened	November 27, 2003
Construction cost	$103 million ($176 million in 2024 dollars[2])
Architect	Sink Combs Dethlefs
Project manager	International Facilities Group
Structural engineer	John A. Martin & Associates
Services engineer	M–E Engineers, Inc.
General contractor	Clark Construction Group Inc.
Tenants
Fresno State Bulldogs (NCAA) (2003–present) Fresno Falcons (ECHL) (2003–2008)

Save Mart Center at Fresno State is a multi-purposearena, on the campus ofCalifornia State University, Fresno (Fresno State), located inFresno, California. An open house was held for the community on November 5, 2003, with the official ribbon cutting following on November 27, 2003. It is home to theFresno State Bulldogs men's and women'sbasketball teams, women's volleyball team and wrestling team.

It is the former home of theFresno Falconsice hockeyteam for their first five seasons in theECHL (2003–08); prior to the opening of the building, they played atSelland Arena.

It is also aconcert destination, with its first performance featuringoperatenorAndrea Bocelli.

Financing for the project was provided through revenue, from corporatesponsorships, private gifts, leasing ofluxury suites, sale ofclub seating and personal seat licenses, as well as revenue fromadvertising andsignage agreements.

• Sink Combs Dethlefs, conceptual designs, project architect
• International Facilities Group (IFG), construction monitor, project manager
• Clark Construction Group, LLC, general contractor
• M–E Engineers, Inc., mechanical, electrical & plumbing engineer
• John A. Martin & Associates, structural engineer

• SBC DataComm Inc.,Networking and Phone System conceptual designs, final production design, implementation, project managed
• Duval E. Davis Jr. Sr. Project Manager

Save Mart Center encompasses approximately 40,000 m² (430,000 ft²) on three primary levels; an event level and two concourses, plus a club level mezzanine. The facility includes 32 revenue-generating suites and eight party suites, located on the main concourse level. Seating capacities are approximately 15,596 for basketball, 14,224 for hockey, 8,000 for half-house concerts, 15,500 for end-stage concerts, and 18,000 for center-stage concerts.

The arena's main exterior landmark is the 37 m (93 ft) Larry A. Shehadey Clock Tower. 13 stories in-all, it was named for the founder ofProducers Dairy Foods, a Fresno-based dairy company, who donated US$3 million towards construction. The lobby at the arena's southeast entrance is named after Shehadey’s late wife, Elayne Shehadey.

The majority of the funding for the facility came from two sources.Save Mart Supermarkets paid US$40 million for 20 yearsnaming rights, and thePepsi Bottling Group paid a similar sum for exclusive, indefinite beverage dispensing rights. Total construction costs exceeded US$100 million^{[citation needed]} and when completed, represented the largest privately funded complex of any university in theUnited States.^{[citation needed]}

The Bulldog Foundation donated money for the following amenities at Save Mart Center:

• The Bulldog Foundation Community Room, which displays the names of past presidents, current officers, lifetime honorees and annual top fund raisers, is used for show catering, premium seating holder dining, and is also available for rent.
• The Bronze Bulldog at the Shehadey Lobby. Created by theVisalia-basedartfoundry,EMI, the massivebronzebulldogstatue has dimensions of 3 m (10 ft) high, 2 m (7 ft) wide, 3 m (9 ft) long, weighing 1,905 kg (4,200 lb). Statue onlookers will see engraved on its mounted plaque:

This is our mascot and he ain't no hound.

He's an English bull and weighs lots of pounds

He's got two rows of teeth and a terrible frown

Hey, nobody’s kicking our dog around!!!

• Nine time capsule boxes were placed in the base of the massive Bulldog statue early in 2004. The contents of capsules were chosen to represent all aspects of Fresno State University, including the Bulldog Foundation, administration, alumni, students and athletics. The capsules are scheduled to be opened in early 2054.
• Save Mart Center's display cases, located on the upper and main concourses, exhibits equipment and memorabilia of each of the current Bulldog sport activities. Additionally, the display case in the northwest corner spotlights the academic success of Fresno State’s student athletes.
• The Bulldog Walkway is a permanent, on-campus tribute to the California State University, Fresno alumni, graduates and friends. It is located on the north side of Save Mart Center with the first three tiles in honour ofColonelRick Husband, who died in theSpace Shuttle Columbia accident,Lieutenant CommanderOtis Vincent Tolbert, who died in the911 attack onthe Pentagon andUnited Airlines Flight 93 passenger,Todd Morgan Beamer. All were Fresno State alumni. Expected to eventually be extended throughout the campus, the walkway consists of personalized tiles and bricks intended to leave a lasting impression to those who use it.
• The Bulldog Shop souvenir store is located on the arena's northeast lobby. It will only be open to sell Fresno State merchandise and apparel during university events.

Several major entertainers have performed at the venue includingBeyoncé,RBD,Carrie Underwood,AC/DC,The Rolling Stones,Eagles,Paul McCartney,The Who,Billy Joel,Madonna,Prince,Jonas Brothers,Maná,Miley Cyrus,Drake,Bruno Mars,Hannah Montana,Britney Spears,JoJo Siwa,Shania Twain,Justin Timberlake,Taylor Swift,Kelly Clarkson,Chris Brown,Gwen Stefani,Paramore,Miranda Lambert,Jordin Sparks,Justin Bieber,Luke Bryan,Brad Paisley,Little Big Town,Jay Z,Florida Georgia Line,Bon Jovi,Andrea Bocelli,Ariana Grande,Selena Gomez,Twenty One Pilots,Blake Shelton,Garth Brooks,Janet Jackson,Foo Fighters,Pearl Jam,Metallica,Trans-Siberian Orchestra, & many others. The arena has also played host to music festivals, including theWinter Jam Tour, theVans Warped Tour & theMayhem Festival.

The first athletic event held at Save Mart Center took place when theRainbow Wahine ofHawaii took on the Fresno State Bulldogs in women'sNCAAvolleyball in October 2003.

Officials from theFresno Falcons of theWest Coast Hockey League announced on March 18, 2002, that the Falcons would make Save Mart Center at Fresno State their home ice beginning with the 2003 season.^[3] TheWestern Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament was held at the center in 2004, as well asWWE'sRoyal Rumble 2005 and WWE Live Events, includingECW/SmackDown 6/30/09 where 3 superstars made their debut, includingmultiple timeWWE Champion,Sheamus. Also, on Feb 17th, 2004, a SmackDown show featuring a newly crowned WWE ChampionEddie Guerrero, had his celebration ceremony at Save Mart Center, and was featured on WWE DVD "Legendary Moments".

Save Mart Center's first arena football game was held on July 19, 2008. TheCentral Valley Coyotes defeated theBoise Burn 55–50. Both teams were members of the now defunctAF2, the former developmental league for theArena Football League.

Save Mart Center has hosted five NBApreseason games. The first game was in 2003-2004 when theLos Angeles Lakers hosted theSacramento Kings; the Lakers defeated the Kings 105–80. The second was in 2004-2005 with the Sacramento Kings taking on thePhoenix Suns; the Suns defeated the Kings 100–88. The third was in 2005-2006 when the Lakers hosted theUtah Jazz; the Lakers defeated the Jazz 95–85. The Los Angeles Lakers hosted another game in the 2008 preseason against theLos Angeles Clippers, with the Clippers beating the Lakers 107–80. The Los Angeles Lakers hosted another game in the 2012 preseason against theGolden State Warriors, with the Warriors beating the Lakers 110–83.

Save Mart Center hosted anNHL preseason game on September 23, 2006. TheSan Jose Sharks took on theAnaheim Ducks, winning 4–3.Joe Thornton scored the game-winning goal for the Sharks; Anaheim went on to win its firstStanley Cup Championship later that season.

Save Mart Center hosted theArtur Beterbiev-Enrico Köllingboxing match for theIBFLight Heavyweight belt on November 11, 2017. It hosted theJerwin Ancajas-Jonas Sultan boxing match for the IBFSuper Flyweight belt on May 26, 2018. It hosted the boxing match betweenJose Ramirez andAntonio Orozco for theWBCJunior Welterweight belt on September 14, 2018.

Save Mart Center hosted theStrikeforce: Tank vs. Buentellomixed martial arts (MMA) event on October 6, 2006. It hosted the inauguralShoMMA on May 15, 2009. It hostedBellator 125 on September 19, 2014,Bellator 148 on January 29, 2016 andBellator 156 on June 17, 2016. It hostedUFC Fight Night 123 on December 9, 2017.

Since 2004, the arena is a stop forPBR'sBuilt Ford Tough Series for theTable Mountain Casino Invitational.

In March 2012, the Save Mart Center hosted the West Regional of theNCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. TheStanford Cardinal won the regional and advanced to the2012 NCAA women's Final Four.

Attendance for Bulldogs men's basketball has tailed off significantly since the early 2000s. In recent years, Fresno State has covered the upper level with atarp.^[4] As a result, while Fresno State lists the official capacity for basketball as 15,596, the "actual" capacity is somewhat smaller.

• List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas

• Save Mart Center at Fresno State official site
• Fresno Falcons official site
• Fresno State Bulldogs Athletics official site
• Sink Combs Dethlefs Project Page

• Sports venues completed in 2003
• College volleyball venues in the United States
• Fresno State Bulldogs basketball venues
• Fresno State Bulldogs women's volleyball
• Ice hockey venues in California
• Mixed martial arts venues in California
• Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States
• Sports venues in Fresno, California
• Music venues in Fresno, California
• Volleyball venues in California
• 2003 establishments in California

• Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas
• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Coordinates on Wikidata
• All articles with unsourced statements
• Articles with unsourced statements from February 2007