Seventy thousand roaring fans. That’s what it felt like inside Moody Coliseum on that April night in 1984. The Dallas Mavericks were playing for their playoff lives.
Moody Coliseum. A name synonymous with SMU basketball. It’s more than just an arena. It’s a time capsule. A place where history echoes in every creak of the floorboards.
Opened in 1956 as the SMU Coliseum it was renamed Moody Coliseum in 1965 to honor William Lewis Moody Jr. It’s seen legendary games. The Mustangs have called it home since that opening day. They defeated McMurry 113-36. A blowout victory to inaugurate a legendary venue.
But Moody Coliseum wasn’t just for college basketball. It hosted the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA. Those were exciting times. The arena’s walls still hum with the energy of those fast-paced games. It was even home to the Dallas Diamonds of the Women’s Professional Basketball League.
The Mavericks themselves played a memorable game here. Game 5 of their 1984 Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the Seattle SuperSonics. A thrilling overtime victory. They called it “Moody Madness”.
Moody Coliseum has undergone many transformations. Renovations in the 80s saw new scoreboards chairback seating and a new hardwood floor. The major 2013 renovations modernized the facility. New concourses lighting seats and luxury boxes made it a state-of-the-art venue. The cost was over $40 million.
The Coliseum isn’t just about sports. President George H W Bush addressed SMU seniors here. Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones graced its stage. It hosted everything from tennis championships to the McDonald’s High School All-American All-Star Game.
The largest crowd? Over 10000 fans crammed into Moody Coliseum to watch the Mustangs play Texas A&M and Texas in 1979. That’s a sight to behold. A testament to the Coliseum’s enduring power.
So stand here. Feel the history. Moody Coliseum. More than just a building. It’s a living legend. A place where memories are made. Where the echoes of cheers and triumphs still resonate.