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The Finn | |
 The Finneran Pavilion during a basketball game in November 2018 | |
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| Former names | John Eleuthère du Pont Pavilion (1986–1997) The Pavilion (1997–2017) |
|---|---|
| Location | Villanova University Villanova, PA 19085 |
| Coordinates | 40°02′03″N75°20′12″W / 40.034072°N 75.336553°W /40.034072; -75.336553 |
| Public transit |
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| Owner | Villanova University |
| Operator | Villanova University |
| Capacity | 6,501 (basketball) 5,500 (concerts) 3,500 (tennis) |
| Surface | Maple |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1985 |
| Opened | February 1, 1986 October 5, 2018[2] |
| Renovated | 2017–2018 |
| Closed | February 25, 2017 (Original Pavilion) |
| Construction cost | $24.9 million ($71.4 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Tully International Inc.EwingCole (Renovation) |
| Tenants | |
| Villanova Wildcats (NCAA) (1986–1995, 1998–2017, 2018–present) Philadelphia Freedoms (WTT) (2010–2016) | |
TheWilliam B. Finneran Pavilion is a 6,501-seat multi-purposearena inVillanova, Pennsylvania,United States, about 10 miles northwest of downtown (Center City)Philadelphia.
Built in 1985, the arena is home to theVillanova University Wildcatsbasketball teams. It is recognizable from the outside for its hyperbolic paraboloid roofline, similar toAlfond Arena at theUniversity of Maine. It replaced the still-existingVillanova Field House, later renamed the "Jake Nevin Field House," a small arena-auditorium built in 1932.
The first men's basketball game played at the Pavilion took place on February 1, 1986, a 64–62 victory against theUniversity of Maryland.
For basketball games where larger crowds are expected, Villanova plays atXfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia (where Villanova holds the record for largest Pennsylvania crowd to watch a college basketball game, att. 20,859).[3] The Finneran Pavilion is known for its famedstudent section, which constitutes a full third of the seating. Formerly located in the south end, the student bleachers seat 2,000 students but have been known to be filled with as many as 2,500 students.
Until 2016, it was the home court of thePhiladelphia Freedoms ofWorld TeamTennis.[4]
23,016 square feet (2,138.3 m2) of arena floor space is utilized forconcerts,conventions,trade shows,graduation ceremonies and other special events. There are two meeting rooms.
The facility was originally known asJohn Eleuthère du Pont Pavilion, as it was funded in part byJohn Eleuthère du Pont, a member of the wealthy and influentialDu Pont family. In 1997, the du Pont name was removed from the facility, with the family's tacit permission, after John was convicted of themurder ofOlympicwrestlinggold medalistDave Schultz. From 1997 to 2017, it was simplyThe Pavilion before its current name was adopted as 1963 graduate William B. Finneran made a $22.6 million donation to the school in April 2016 to help with its current improvements.
In 2016 it was announced the Pavilion would undergo a $65 million renovation to improve the aging facility. At the end of the 2016–17 academic year, the facility closed to begin on the renovations. During the renovations, Villanova's men's team played the 2017–18 season at the Wells Fargo Center, while the women's team usedJake Nevin Field House.[5] The renamedWilliam B. Finneran Pavilion reopened in October 2018 with new concession stands, "enhanced audio-visual capabilities", new seating, along with a new entrance. The renovation also included the Court One Club which features the court from the2016 National Championship Game.[6] Another part of the renovation included reducing the student section on the south end and adding student seating to the baseline of the north end.[7] The first game played in the renovated Finneran Pavilion was a 100–77 victory overMorgan State.[8]
The Finneran Pavilion is the current home to the Villanova Men's and Women's Basketball Teams. The arena also hosted other Villanova events including the yearly "Hoops Mania" event in Fall.[9] Hoops Mania is the kickoff event to the Villanova Men's Basketball season and has had past performers such as Drake, Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa.[10] The Pavilion was the home court of thePhiladelphia Freedoms ofWorld TeamTennis from 2010 to 2016.[11]
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