Varsity Gymnasium


Varsity Gymnasium is an 8,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Boone, North Carolina. It opened in 1968 and was home to the Appalachian State Mountaineers basketball teams until the Holmes Center opened in 2000. The gym is currently home to the wrestling program. It is also home to the dance studios of the Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance, part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts.

History

The gymnasium was dedicated December 7, 1968. The original cost of the facility was $2 million USD. It had hydraulic stages, seven supporting beams, physiological laboratories and 8 ticket gates. In addition to the main court area, the gym also included racquetball courts and a wrestling room for team practices. The gym was located adjacent to Broome-Kirk gym, which has since been demolished.
Concerts at Varsity Gym have included Jimmy Buffett, Bob Dylan, Phish and 38 Special.