First United Bank Center
Home of Buff & Lady Buff Basketball
The First United Bank Center opened on January 26, 2002 to a capacity crowd of over 5,000 who jammed into the arena for the inaugural basketball games. Featuring a state-of-the-art sound system and scoreboard with a large video screen, the 75,000 square foot building is the place to be for exciting Lone Star Conference basketball. A wall-to-wall, all-wooden playing floor was also installed prior to the 2008-09 basketball season with updates to the floor planned in the coming months.
The arena hosts WTAMU graduation, concerts, high school basketball playoffs and other events. The 2002 NCAA Division II National Championship Volleyball tournament was also held in the center.
Willie Nelson, Pat Green, Martina McBride, Buddy Jewell, Merle Haggard and the superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment are among the headliners that have performed at the First United Bank Center.
Officially opened to the public in January 2002, the First United Bank Center at West Texas A&M University replaced the fabled WT Fieldhouse, better known as "The Box," as the premiere venue for WT Buffs and Lady Buffs NCAA Basketball after more than half a century.
Concieved in 1996, University officials began planning for the center to host not only graduation but also sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Construction began on November 3, 2000 and opened it's doors on January 26, 2002 for the Buffs' and Lady Buffs' games against Abilene Christian University.
The 77,000 square foot facility was constructed at a total cost of $14 million. Designed for many uses, the center hosts area high school playoff basketball games, concert performances as well as craft and trade shows. The arena also played host to the NCAA Division II National Volleyball Tournament in 2002 and is the permanent home for WTAMU commencement ceremonies. The Lady Buffs have shown home dominance in the FUBC over the last five seasons, claiming back-to-back South Central Regional Championships in the arena in 2014 and 2015./
During its short lifetime, the center has been visited by such well known performers as Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Pat Green, Buddy Jewell and the superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment. Sitting on the outskirts of Canyon, the facility serves as the easternmost anchor for the WTAMU campus. The arena seats approximately 4,700 patrons for sporting events and can seat almost 5,800 for concerts and commencement.
The facility houses 3 home locker rooms, 2 visitor locker rooms, officials' dressing rooms, two concession areas, a training room, a hospitality suite, and a hospitality dining room.
