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Show the Dee Event Center Text: Penny RowLee 1 DEE EVENT CENTER: 7Vie Lippizan stallions, the Scottish Highlanders and Royal Band, and the NCAA sub-regwnals (Utah and North Carolina compete for the ball here) are just a few of the events that are booked into the Center during the year. Dee Event Center photo: Clark Taylor Signpost photo -NCAA: Scott Miller) fbJ HSfcS pffi Kftl ' f 1 ' 1 ? ? I ---'j' '.ft - & yV-'"',.'-'.;-: 5- : '--'S & " -.-.-,.28 i - J! I . . , -1 V 1 k e " f - , I : - I t-r. .:::fSm II, " ft i V I -'I f t.iJ " ; '- ivy-ac ' ' V ' -:' ' ': ''- 'ri &' " ' '': ' - - '-j1' ' . 1 . AtP t 4 3, Jt :. t ;! I r 0 'S8 ' vj ' nr. out, .jjc The Ogden community has always played an important role in the development of Weber State. The Dee Event Center is a good example of the result of this development. In the early 1970's, the need for a new facility to house the Wildcat basketball team became apparent. "They were playing ball in the Swenson Gymnasium," said Dale Gardner, director of the Dee Event Center. "The gym was inadequate for competitive basketball; it is not conducive to spectator comfort," he said. Under the direction of Dr. Robert Clark, then president of WSC, a committee traveled from Los Angeles to South Bend, Indiana, looking at 13 different facilities. Financial contributors wanted the center to be a first class facility, said Gardner, one that would not only house the Wildcats but could also be used for many types of functions. These plans were realized when the Dee Event Center was dedicated Nov. 1, 1977. The Center was named in honor of the Lawrence T. Dee and Donnell B. Stewart families, who each initially contributed $1 million to the building and additional funds throughout its construction. Since its dedication, the Dee Event Center has housed a wide variety of activities. The New York Philharmonic has played at the center in the past as have local performers. It has seen many concerts of different types, from country pop singer Olivia Newton-John to hard rocker Jethro Tull, Gardner said. This school year's activities are a good example of the diversity of the center. Beginning with the October performance of the Lippizan Stallions from Austria, it will end with WSC Commencement ceremonies for the 1986 graduating class on June 6. The biggest event of the year has been the hosting of the NCAA sub-regional basketball tournament. "This year was the third for Weber to host the sub-regionals," said Brad Larsen, director of sports information. It is an important event for Weber and the community; the economic benefits are about $2 million, he said. For Weber, it has provided name recognition. "Since we don't have a state name, people don't know where we are. Now they know our name, that we have good facilities, and that we like basketball," said Larsen. The sub-regionals receive national news coverage. The March 13 game between Utah and North Carolina was covered by CBS. "This is advertisement that you can't buy," said Larsen. Another event held at the Dee Event Center this year was the Scottish Highlanders and Royal Band of the Queen of England. "This show is typical British pageantry and pomp," said Dr. Dan Martino, director of cultural affairs for WSC. "They are very meticulous about everything: grooming, instruments, and dress," he said. The Highlanders and Royal Band come to the United States every two years and are highly selective of where they play, Dr. Martino said. "Their managers were very impressed with the beauty of the Dee Event Center. They were also very impressed with the facilities, the acoustics, sound, lighting and color." For most of the fall, basketball occupied the Dee Event Center. The Wildcats played 17 home games, while the Lady Cats managed 12. C5 O tr Co 3 "a o c in a 0) c a ID oo Ol |