Great Southern Bank Arena

Great Southern Bank Arena
The Q
Exterior view of the arena in 2024
Former namesJQH Arena (2008-22)
Address685 South John Q. Hammons Parkway
Springfield, MO 65897
Coordinates37°12′7.37″N 93°16′59.01″W / 37.2020472°N 93.2830583°W / 37.2020472; -93.2830583
Public transitBus interchange Springfield Transit Services
OwnerMissouri State University
Capacity10,542
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Broke groundDecember 21, 2006
OpenedNovember 13, 2008; 16 years ago (November 13, 2008)
Construction cost$67 Million
($101 million in 2023 dollars[1])
Architect
Structural engineerMartin/Martin, Inc.[2]
Services engineerHenderson Engineers, Inc.[3]
General contractorJ. E. Dunn Construction Group[2]
Tenants
Missouri State Bears
(Men's & Women's Basketball)
Missouri Thunder (PBR) (2024-present)
Website
greatsouthernbankarena.com

Great Southern Bank Arena (originally known as JQH Arena) is an indoor arena in Springfield, Missouri. The arena opened in 2008.[4] It is located on the campus of Missouri State University and is the home of the Missouri State Bears and Lady Bears basketball teams.

Overview

There is a maximum seating capacity of 11,000. Included in the seating capacity are 9,637 chairback seats, 122 seats for permanently disabled guests, 114 loge seats, and 22 private suites. 55 courtside seats are arranged for basketball games and 1,363 bleacher back seats in the end zones are reserved for students. There are 166 public restroom stations (98 for women and 70 for men), six concession stands with 42 points of sale plus 12 additional portable locations, and 2 elevators. Located just off the main lobby area is a team store selling Missouri State University apparel and souvenirs. Maximum seating for concerts with an end-stage is 10,542.[5]

Interior view in 2018

The arena bears the initials of John Q. Hammons, a Springfield-based hotel developer and Missouri State alumnus who donated $30 million for the arena's construction.[5] JQH Arena replaced the Hammons Student Center (also named in honor of its major donor) in terms of function and is connected with the Hammons Student Center via an underground corridor.

The venue underwent a name change in April 2022.[6] Naming rights were purchased by Great Southern Bank for $5.5 million.

The band Eagles played the inaugural concert at JQH on November 13, 2008, in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,550.

GSB Arena currently co-hosts the Missouri State High School Activities Association state basketball semifinals with the Hammons Center. All championship games are played in the arena.

JQH Arena had been a regular stop of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR)'s Premier Series from 2009 through 2019. In 2024, Great Southern Bank Arena will be the new home arena of the Missouri Thunder; one of the PBR's ten teams during the Team Series season. Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri, had previously served as the Missouri Thunder's home arena in 2022 and 2023.[7]

Attendance Records

Rank Attendance Date Game Result
1 11,077 February 26, 2011 Missouri State 69, Wichita State 64
2 10,881 November 22, 2008 Missouri State 62, Arkansas 57
3 10,776 January 11, 2014 #6 Wichita State 72, Missouri State 69 (OT)
4 10,655 January 22, 2011 Missouri State 67, Creighton 66
5 10,008 January 1, 2010 Missouri State 68, Illinois State 64
6 9,901 January 30, 2011 Northern Iowa 60, Missouri State 59
7 9,376 January 28, 2012 Missouri State 63, Northern Iowa 51
8 9,134 January 11, 2011 Missouri State 65, Evansville 50
9 9,124 January 18, 2012 #18 Creighton 66, Missouri State 65
10 9,111 January 9, 2010 Missouri State 88, Bradley 69

[8]

Concerts

See also

References

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Missouri State University's JQH Arena on-Time and $1 million Under Budget". Structural Engineer. May 11, 2009.
  3. ^ "Sports/Recreation". Henderson Engineers, Inc. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  4. ^ "JQH Arena". Missouri State University. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "About JQH Arena". Missouri State University. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  6. ^ Wheeler, Wyatt D. (April 22, 2022). "Missouri State announces Great Southern Bank Arena to replace JQH Arena name". Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "PBR returns to Springfield, Missouri for Thunder Days Aug. 30-Sep. 1". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "2022-23 Missouri State Men's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 9 February 2023.
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