The Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium (known as the Al Lawson Center) is a 9,639-seat multi-purpose arena in Tallahassee, Florida on the Campus of Florida A&M University.[2] It was built in 2009 and it is home to the Florida A&M men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team. The arena replaced Jake Gaither Gymnasium, which is a 3,365-seat multi-purpose arena. The Al Lawson Center is the second biggest arena in Tallahassee, behind the 12,500-seat Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.[3][failed verification] The official ribbon cutting ceremony was April 8, 2009.[4]

Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium
"Al Lawson Center"
Map
Location1800 Wahnish Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32310
Coordinates30°25′28″N 84°17′26″W / 30.424318°N 84.290473°W / 30.424318; -84.290473
OwnerFlorida A&M University
OperatorFlorida A&M University
Capacity9,639 (basketball)
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
Broke groundJuly 27, 2007
OpenedApril 4, 2009 (basketball)
Construction cost$40 Million
($56.8 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectWilliams-Russell & Johnson, Inc
Akin & Associates Architects, Inc.
Project managerTurner Construction
General contractorF.L. Crane & Sons
Tenants
Florida A&M Rattlers athletics

The center is named for Congressman Al Lawson, himself a former FAMU basketball player, who was instrumental in getting the funding for this center and other buildings on the campus of Florida A&M University during his tenure in the Florida Legislature.[5]

The Al Lawson Center is the 3rd largest arena in the Florida Panhandle, and is often used as an alternative to the much larger and older Donald L. Tucker Center.[citation needed] It was the Tallahassee stop of actress/singer/native Floridian Ariana Grande's Honeymoon Tour in 2015.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "FAMU's New Gym, New era in FAMU Basketball".[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "About Us". Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
  4. ^ "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony". Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.
  5. ^ "FAMU Holds Renaming Ceremonies for Campus Buildings and Road". WCTV CBS Tallahassee.
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