Weber State University Athletics
The Dee Events Center turns 40
11/1/2017 11:48:00 AM | Athletics
In 1977, Jimmy Carter was in the White House, a new home cost $49,000, a gallon of gas was 65 cents and Star Wars: Episode IV was on top of the box office. Â Â
And on Nov. 1, 1997, a building at Weber State College was dedicated that has become a community pillar and the host to thousands of events.
The Dee Events Center is celebrating its 40th birthday as an arena that has hosted millions of people and a variety of events from basketball to concerts to graduations and the circus. It has been a community center for athletic contests, concerts, graduations, religious meetings and countless other events.Â
Ground-breaking for the building took place on March 21, 1975, and the building was dedicated on Nov. 1, 1977. It was built was at a cost of $11.3 million, representing the combined efforts and cooperation of students, the university and community members for the development of a functional events facility for the greater Ogden and Weber County area. In addition to those funds provided through student fees and revenue bonds, more than $5 million was raised from private sources. The highlight of the fund drive was the contribution of more than $2 million from the Lawrence T. Dee and Donnell B. Stewart families.
Over the last 40 years, the building has served as the home for the Weber State men's and women's basketball teams. The DEC has been on national display as the host for four NCAA Tournaments. It was the first and second round site in 1980, 1986 and 1994 and hosted the Western Regionals in 1983. The arena has also been home to 10 Big Sky men's basketball tournaments and two women's tournaments. The Wildcat men's team has won more than 80 percent of its home games. The Utah Jazz have also played 12 NBA presason games at the Dee Events Center.Â
Basketball Hall of Fame players inclduing Karl Malone, John Stockton, Ralph Sampson, Jason Kidd, Chris Mullin, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, Alex English and Bill Walton are just some of the thousands of players to come to the arena. Hall of Fame coaches in the Dee Events Center include Jerry Sloan, Dean Smith, Jim Valvano and Jim Boeheim.
The DEC has also been the home of numerous concerts and other performances throughout the years. Alabama, Clint Black, the Beach Boys, Sawyer Brown, Johnny Cash, Bill Cosby, John Denver, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny G, Chris LeDoux, Imagine Dragons, Olivia Newton John, Fleetwood Mac, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, David Lee Murphy, Willie Nelson, One Republic, Collin Raye, LeAnn Rimes, Rick Springfield, George Strait, Taylor Swift, James Taylor, Train, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The New York Philharmonic, The Utah Symphony and Widespread Panic are just some of the many performers to come to the Dee Events Center.
It has also hosted the circus, tennis and wrestling matches, gathering of religious groups and multiple high school basketball championships. Neil Armstrong, Jake Garn, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, Jon M. Huntsman, Larry Miller, Christopher Reeve, and John Wooden are just a few of the luminaries who have spoken at the facility.