The 13,176-seat Fifth Third Arena in Shoemaker Center was renamed in 2004 to recognize Fifth Third Bank's generous support of the athletic facilities improvement campaign.
The arena was originally completed in 1989. It now includes 16 private executive suites, new Daktronics video boards and restaurant and lounge area overlooking the court. A new portable playing surface, the All-Star Plus which is used by several NBA teams, was installed for the 2003-04 season.
The playing surface is named Ed Jucker Court in honor of the coach who directed the Bearcats to two men's basketball national championships. UC's All-Americans are recognized by photo banners hanging in the concourses.The south wall of the arena is decorated with the numerous men's basketball championship banners and the retired jerseys of Bearcat greats Robertson, Jack Twyman and Kenyon Martin. The north wall recognizes volleyball and women's basketball championships, as well as UC's All-Americans.
Fifth Third Arena stands at the center of the newly completed Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village. It is connected to the Lindner Athletic Center, which allows convenient access to the Bearcats' new state-of-the-art sports medicine and strength & conditioning centers, as well as all administrative and coaching offices and the Nancy Hamant Academic Center.
Take the complete Flash tour of Varsity Village
