Renaissance Coliseum

Renaissance Coliseum is a 165,200-square foot, multi-use athletic facility. It is the primary sporting venue for women’s basketball and volleyball, as well as select men’s basketball events on the Hilltop.

The Coliseum includes the Mitchell “J.J.” Anderson Court practice facility, an athletics museum within the Burklund Family Heritage Hall, the university's athletics hall of fame, strength and conditioning and athletic training facilities, two student-athlete academic centers, 12 locker rooms for student-athletes and athletic department offices.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm
Saturday - Sunday: CLOSED
(Contingent on events)

*Includes Burklund Family Heritage Hall

Map and Directions

From Chicago

Travel south on Interstate 55 to I-74 outside Bloomington/Normal. Take I-74 West toward Peoria. At the I-74/I-474 split, stay to the right and continue west on I-74. After entering the Peoria metro area, take the University Street exit (91) and stay in the left lane. Turn left on to University Street and continue south for approximately four blocks through two traffic lights. At third traffic light at the intersection of University and Main Streets turn right on to Main Street and continue west to Maplewood Avenue. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Maplewood Avenue and park in the deck on the southwest corner of Main and Maplewood.

From the East (Bloomington/Normal, Indianapolis)

ATTENTION: The I-74 Murray Baker Bridge will be closed for construction, approximately March 29 – October 31, 2020. Delays may add 30 minutes to the normal travel time. Take Riverfront Dr., exit 94 and follow Rte. 40 North to W. Washington St., and cross the Illinois River on the Bob Michel Bridge. Continue North on William Kumpf Blvd. Turn left on W. Romeo B. Garrett Ave. Travel three blocks to N. Richard Allen Dr. and turn left. Turn right on N. MacArthur Hwy. N. MacArthur Hwy. becomes N. University at the top of the hill.

From St. Louis

Travel north on Interstate 55 to I-155 north of Lincoln. Take the left exit onto I-155 North toward Peoria. In Morton, Ill., take the left exit onto I-74 West and continue on I-74 West into Peoria. After entering the Peoria metro area, take the University Street exit (91) and stay in the left lane. Turn left on to University Street and continue south for approximately four blocks through two traffic lights. At third traffic light at the intersection of University and Main Streets turn right on to Main Street and continue west to Maplewood Avenue. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Maplewood Avenue and park in the deck on the southwest corner of Main and Maplewood.

From the West (Galesburg, Quad Cities)

Take Interstate 74 East. Just outside of Peoria, at the I-74/I-474 split, continue on I-74 East. After entering the Peoria metro area, take the University Street exit (91) and turn right at the top of the ramp, heading south on University Street for approximately four blocks. At the second traffic light at the intersection of University and Main Streets, turn right on to Main Street and continue west to Maplewood Avenue. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Maplewood Avenue and park in the deck on the southwest corner of Main and Maplewood.

Accessibility

Braille

Braille information signage is posted throughout Renaissance Coliseum. Assistance with menu options is available upon request.

Drinking Fountains

Drinking fountains throughout Renaissance Coliseum are accessible to those with disabilities. Drinking fountains are located near the restrooms in the Owens Atrium Lobby and in the southeast corner on the concourse Level.

Disability Drop-off Point

The disability drop-off point is on the north side of the building, in front the ticket office. This is directly in front of the Renaissance Coliseum Main St. drop-off.

Elevators

Public elevators make all levels of the Coliseum accessible to the disabled. They are on the northeast side of the Owens Atrium Lobby.

First Aid Assistance

A first aid office is available for assistance in Room 245, which is behind Section 21 on the concourse level.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Renaissance Coliseum facilities staff and ushers have been trained in emergency procedures and will assist guests with disabilities in the event of an evacuation. In most cases, guests will be directed to the nearest stairwell or landing.

Food, Beverages and Concessions

Food, beverages and concessions are located throughout the concourse level. Assistance with menu options is available upon request.

Lost and Found

Please contact the Assistant Director for Campus Recreation and Athletic Facilities at (309) 677-3979.

Restrooms and Unisex Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are available on all public levels of Renaissance Coliseum. Unisex restrooms are located on the concourse cevel behind the Braves Club (southwest corner).

Security Department

For security needs, please contact the nearest Bradley University police officer or usher.

Disability Seating

Disabled guests have access to seating throughout the coliseum in varied price ranges. Seats are sold with one companion seat through Ticketmaster or in person at the Bradley ticket office (no online orders accepted through the ticket office). Exceptions may be granted through the ticket office, space permitting. This seating allows the disabled guests an enhanced view, even when others are standing. In addition to wheelchair locations, modified aisle seats are also available. For more information please contact the Assistant Director for Campus Recreation and Athletic Facilities at (309) 677-3979. For specific seating availability, please contact the Bradley Ticket Office at (309) 677-2625. They will facilitate your ticket purchases.

Will Call Window

The Will call window is part of the Bradley ticket office at (309) 677-2625 and is located in the Owens Atrium Lobby.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted in Renaissance Coliseum.

  • Alcohol
  • Animals/pets (except service animals)
  • Audio/video recording& professional photo equipment
  • Baby powder or any other powder-based substance
  • Chains, studded bracelets, etc.
  • Glitter and confetti
  • Illegal substances
  • Laser pens and pointers
  • Noisemaking devices (i.e. whistles, air horns)
  • Outside food, cans, bottles, glass or other drink containers
  • Skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, etc.
  • Unapproved pamphlets, fliers, handbills, etc.
  • Use of tobacco products (i.e. smoking cigarettes/cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff/snus, etc.)
  • Weapons of any kind (including, but are not limited to: firearms, explosives, handcuffs, batons, stun guns, knives, tear gas, pepper spray, etc.)
  • Any other item deemed inappropriate or dangerous by the venue in its sole discretion

All guests are subject to bag checks, metal detection devices and searches. Guests with prohibited items will not be refused entry. If a guest is found inside the venue with a prohibited item, the item will be confiscated and the guest may be ejected from the facility. Illegal items will be confiscated and turned over to the police.

History

Constructed in the footprint of Robertson Memorial Field House, the coliseum now serves as the home for Bradley athletics, but the university will always cherish the beloved Field House.

Named for longtime Bradley athletic director and coach A.J. Robertson, the Robertson Memorial Field House was constructed in 1949 for $400,000. Built from two decommissioned B-29 airplane hangars, the 8,300 seat venue saw much success from its athletic programs in the building. "That was probably the original home court advantage," former Bradley great Chet Walker once said.

Winning is something that has always seemed to come Bradley's way in Robertson. The men had just one losing season in the building and compiled a 400-100 record before leaving for Peoria Civic Center's Carver Arena in 1982. In 1993, the Bradley men returned to the Field House for the first regular season game in more than a decade and defeated Illinois Wesleyan 81-63.

The Bradley women's best year in Robertson came during the 1981-82 season when the team put together an 11-2 home mark en route a 19-win season. Volleyball's 9-2 home slate in 1999 is its best season in history.

In addition to Bradley basketball games and volleyball matches, a number of significant events occurred in Robertson Memorial Field House. For example, President Nixon received his first honorary degree at a Bradley commencement exercise. Former president Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke there in 1956. Ice shows, circuses, Roller Derby and rock concerts took place in the building as well.

The Field House was demolished in April 2008 to make way for Renaissance Coliseum. The Field House may be gone but it remains a distinctive part of Bradley's history.