Dean E. Smith Center

Dedicated in September 1986 as the Dean E. Smith Center, the 300,000-square-foot structure stands on seven and one-half acres on the University's south campus. Over 20,000 cubic yards of rock were removed to make room for the 340-foot-wide, 380-foot-long and 140-foot-high building. The first game featured No. 1 Carolina beating No. 3 Duke, 95-92, in a battle of unbeatens on Jan. 18, 1986. The first basket was scored by Carolina center Warren Martin off a pass from Kenny Smith. Since that first game, the Smith Center has been the site of many memorable moments in Tar Heel

As a multi-purpose facility, the Smith Center has played host to a wide range of athletic events and concerts. In 1987, U.S. Olympic Festival basketball attracted a Smith Center record crowd of 23,713 for the gold medal game. In 1988, the venue served as the site of the first and second rounds of the NCAA East Regional. In 1994, the Smith Center hosted the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, attracting a three-day total of over 60,000 fans.