Kohl Center

Kohl Center
601 West Dayton
Madison, Wis. 53715
Phone: 608/263-5645

The Kohl Center, opened in 1998, is the home for the UW Men's, and Women's Basketball teams, and the Men's and Women's Hockey Teams. Since opening, the building has met with much success. Areas specific to the UW programs were designed by the Wisconsin coaches with the programs in mind. From computers to lounge areas to audio/video systems, the Kohl Center provides a competitive floor, practice and study areas all in one place. The coaching offices are also located at the Kohl Center.

Location

The Kohl Center is located on the southeast side of the UW campus. (601 West Dayton Street; Phone: 608/263-5645)

Major Benefactors

The building is named for U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin), a 1956 graduate of the UW-Madison, who donated $25 million to the project. Kohl's gift is the single largest private donation in University history. Kohl earned his Bachelor of Science degree in American Institutions from Wisconsin-Madison. Former all-Big Ten basketball player Albert "Ab" Nicholas and his wife, Nancy Johnson Nicholas, pledged $10 million toward the project. The facility's practice gymnasium is named the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion and Plaza. Nicholas received his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the UW-Madison. The Kellner family, Jack F. and his sons, Ted and Jack W. of Milwaukee gave $2.5 million. All three Kellners received degrees from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Capacity

The Kohl Center seats 17,230 for men's basketball, which includes courtside seating, and 17,142 for women's basketball. These figures includes approximately 7,500 seats in the lower seating bowl and 4,500 in each of the two balconies. The unique design of the Kohl Center (with two overhanging balconies) guarantees that all fans will be close to the playing floor with excellent site lines. The facility seats 15,237 for hockey, and between 15,000 and 17,000 for concerts.

Spacious Locker Rooms

The Kohl Center includes lockers for UW men's and women's basketball and men's hockey. Four other locker rooms (for visitors or multiple teams during WIAA tournaments) also are in the arena. The 2,200 square-foot, state-of-the-art locker areas have been designed with the needs of student-athletes in mind including team organizational meetings, an athletes social area, and study carrels. The athletes have a lounge area with sound system, video room, computers available in the study room, and, of course, a spacious dressing and shower area complete with multiple outlets and lighted mirrors.

Practice Pavilion

The Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion houses three full-size basketball courts to be used for practice sessions when the Kohl Center is booked for other events. Pre-game booster club functions are also scheduled in the practice gym.

Check List of Team and Fan Amenities

For the Athletes: Huge lockerooms that include attached lounges, video/meeting rooms, and study areas with practice facility attached.
For the Coaches: Spacious offices with westward views of the campus including the Field House and Camp Randall Stadium.
For the Support Areas: Sports medicine, sports information, concessions/catering, and physical plant have ample and convenient work areas. The UW ticket office operates from its offices in the Kohl Center.
For the Fans and Suites: A state-of-the-art sound system has been implemented in the Kohl Center and TV monitors (capable of showing replays) are wired to the suites and above concessions stands throughout the building.
For the Fans: Extra-wide concourses (two), a number of food courts on both levels, numerous restrooms and merchandise outlets.
Also For the Fans: The cantilever design replicates the overhang effect of the former UW Field House without the obstructions. Sightlines are tremendous from every seat. At center court, you can look up at three ascending, cheering spectator areas, an awesome and intimidating sight for opponents.