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
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
- 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.