Auraria Event Center

Built in 1976, the venerable Auraria Event Center continues to keep up with the times.

The home of Metropolitan State University of Denver volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball, the Auraria Event Center underwent an $8 million renovation during 2019 that including a new state-of-the-art video board, spectacularly remodeled locker room facilities and comfortable, modern bleacher seating.

The upgrades were on display as MSU Denver played host to the NCAA Division II Volleyball National Championships in December, 2019.

The Auraria Event Center is one of the region’s premier NCAA Division II athletic facilities, and Roadrunners teams respond to their home court. The two-time national champion men's basketball team has had seven undefeated home seasons in its history, and from 1997-98 through 2014-15 compiled a 256-20 home record for a .928 winning percentage. That stretch included a 47-game home winning streak from Jan. 25, 2003, to Jan. 14, 2006. The women's basketball team has a .667 winning percentage on its home court and had a 26-game home winning streak from Feb. 19, 2010 to Jan. 21, 2012. The volleyball team, which made its 20th consecutive appearance in the Division II National Tournament in 2019, has an all-time home record of 387-184 (.673).

Prior to 2019, the facility had last had a major upgrade in 2013. The video board from the Pepsi Center was moved across the street and mounted on the south baseline in the gym. In addition, a new floor was designed and painted, and portable baskets were installed. The upgrades made the Auraria Event Center the premier basketball facility in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Prior to that, in 2010, a new Daktronics scoreboard and animated message board were both added.

Originally built in 1976, the 30,000 square floor gymnasium was primarily used for MSU Denver’s Physical Education and Campus Recreation departments.

In September, 1990, an expansion project added another 38,000 square feet and various other improvements to the facility. The renovated building featured seating for 2,200 with semi-automated theatre-style chairs, four additional racquetball courts, an 1,800-square foot weight/fitness area, two additional dressing areas, one auxiliary gymnasium, a gymnastics/combatives area, a renovated main locker facility, a full-service training area, student lounges, a multi-purpose activity center to accommodate recreational events and additional public restrooms.

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