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Three Events Give Public Initimate View of Kohl Center

January 14, 1998

Jane Albright-Dieterle, women’s basketball coach, described this as a red-letter week in Wisconsin’s athletic history Monday during her first Kohl Center press conference.

“Now to have a state-of-the-art arena to play in – we just think it’s going to give us a very, very big boost, and I know it’s something we all want to feel a lot of pride in and take part in,” she said.

A variety of events scheduled for this week and next will let you get a peek at the country’s newest sports facility and see for yourself what the coach is talking about:

  • Saturday, Jan. 17, 8-10 p.m.: Chancellor’s Arts Reception. Dale Chihuly, an internationally recognized blown glass artist and UW–Madison alum will join guests for a formal dedication of The Mendota Wall, his largest wall installation to date. Tickets may still be available at $40 each by calling 262-3396. Proceeds benefit UW–Madison’s Arts Consortium’s Scholarship Fund.
  • Sunday, Jan. 18, noon-5 p.m.: Community Open House. An afternoon of music in the seating area will lend a celebratory atmosphere to this free event. Self-guided tours will offer a chance to see the Kohl Center’s main court and seating bowl, as well as other areas, including the practice gym, locker rooms and media room.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m.: The nationally ranked Wisconsin women will play host to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first women’s basketball game at the Kohl Center. Tickets are still available. At press time, 12,631 tickets had been sold – already establishing a single-game attendance record in Badger women’s program history (previously 11,522 tickets). Halftime features a laser light show and all attendees receive a free commemorative ticket holder. For tickets, call the Athletic Ticket Office, 262-1440 or 1-800-GO BADGERS, or stop by a Ticketmaster outlet.

The Athletic Department hopes to have hockey up and running at the Kohl Center this fall, but fans will get a preview March 1 during the annual Skate With The Badgers.

Still feeling a bit nostalgic, but don’t have a ticket to the Jan. 14 men’s basketball game against Penn State? Head out for one last chance to see roundball in the old barn: The men’s basketball alumni game is set for Saturday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m in the UW Field House. Admission is free.