The Tucson Convention Center is a multipurpose convention center located in the heart of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Previously known as the Tucson Community Center, the TCC has been serving the residents of Tucson since 1971. Each year the Convention Centers hosts a variety of different events including the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baileys Circus, the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, concerts, Monster Jam, and has was the location of several different WWE broadcasts. The Tucson Convention Center is mostly known for being the home of the Arizona Wildcats Club Hockey Team as well as the newly acquired American Hockey League (AHL) team, The Tucson Roadrunners.
The TCC has three different performance facilities to accommodate the needs of a variety of special events, such as banquets, meetings, conventions, sporting events, theatrical events, and concerts.
In March of 2016, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (now President Donald Trump) made a stop during his campaign for the presidency at the Tucson Convention Center. This event attracted thousands of supporters, and even those who did not support the candidate. The event brought a lot of controversy as protesters used their platform to attack supporters, ultimately making national news [source].
Sports Teams
Arizona IceCats/Arizona Wildcats
The Tucson Convention Center has been home to the University of Arizona Hockey Team since 1979. Leo Golembiewski coached the hockey organization, previously known as the “IceCats” for thirty-two seasons (from 1979 to 2011). In 2011 the club was taken over by the University of Arizona administration and the team was later renamed to the “Arizona Wildcats”. The current head coach is Chad Berman, who has been coaching the Wildcats since 2011. The team is recognized through the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and is recognized as a Division One club sport at the University.
The University of Arizona Hockey Team (during the IceCats era) has an impressive list of accomplishments. From 1979-2011 the Arizona IceCats had an overall record of 634-217-23 and they were consistently one of the University’s top attractions. Throughout the era of the IceCats the team also ranked near the top in attendance for all of College Hockey (both at the NCAA level and the ACHA level).
The IceCats appeared in 21-Straight National Tournaments from 1983-2003. During this time the IceCats appeared in ten Elite Eights, eight Final Fours (1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1994, and 1997) and won one national championship in 1985. Their last National Tournament appearance was in 2006. [source]
The Tucson Roadrunners
The Tucson Roadrunners is an affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL) that plays for the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Tucson, Arizona. The team plays their home games at the Tucson Convention Center. The Roadrunners play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.
The Tucson Roadrunners were relocated to Tucson from Springfield, Massachusetts in the spring of 2016. The organization was founded in 1994, and does not have any known accomplishments (i.e. championships won).
The team name is a representation of the classic cartoon, “Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner”. The team colors are red, desert sand, copper, black, and white. They are owned by IceArizona, LLC and Andrew Barroway. Their head coach is Mark Lamb. [source]
The arena underwent $22 million of renovations in 2014. This included a new video scoreboard for the Arizona Hockey Team. In 2016, more renovations were added when The Roadrunners signed their lease. These renovations included brand new locker rooms for both the Wildcats and the Roadrunners and other general upgrades to the arena to bring the Convention Center to professional quality standards. These new upgrades cost the city of Tucson another $3.2 million.
The Tucson Convention Center was also home to several other minor league hockey teams. These teams included:
- The Tucson Mavericks (1975-76)
- The Tucson Icemen (1976-77)
- The Tucson Rustlers (1978-79)
- The Gila Monsters (1997-99)
It was also home to one minor league basketball team: The Tucson Gunners (1978-79)
