U.S. Century Bank Arena gets facelift after 25 years of service

Many thanks to Pete Pelegrin for sharing this story. If you aren’t familiar with Pelegrin’s blog, The Prowl, check it out today. You’ll be glad you did.

Twenty-five years ago the FIU arena opened its doors. The then-Sunblazer Arena made its debut on February 1, 1986. Currently named U.S. Century Bank Arena –  home of FIU basketball, volleyball and the Golden Dazzlers – it is about to get an addition with the construction of a new lobby.

The front of the arena has been fenced in for construction work. The new lobby is expected to be ready for the start of the 2011 basketball season in November. When the work begins on the lobby, we’ll have photo updates here.

In the FIU archives, we found the program from the first-ever game at the FIU arena and saw some interesting photos to share with you.

Let’s all hop into Doc Brown’s DeLorean and check out the Prowl to see old photos of the arena and the FIU mascot from 25 years ago. With the exception of the FIU logo and the U.S. Century Bank logo on the facade of the building, the front of the arena looks pretty much the same today as it did on this first-ever game program.

Click here to see the historical photos.