Daskalakis Athletic Center

Daskalakis Athletic Center
The DAC
	The interior of the DAC
Former names	Physical Education and Athletic Center (PEAC)
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	39°57′23″N 75°11′27″W / 39.956389°N 75.190833°W / 39.956389; -75.190833
Public transit	34th Street station: Market–Frankford Line; SEPTA City Bus: 30, 31, LUCY; 33rd Street station: Subway–surface trolley lines 10, 11, 13, 34, 36;
Owner	Drexel University
Type	Arena
Genre(s)	Sporting events; Concerts; Commencement;
Seating type	Reserved seating; General admission;
Capacity	2,509 (Basketball)
Record attendance	3,000 (Basketball); 2,532 (Basketball, current configuration); 4,000 (Concert)
Acreage	3 acres (1.2 ha)
Scoreboard	Daktronics
Construction
Broke ground	1974
Built	1974-1975
Opened	February 1975
Renovated	2012-2016, 2022
Expanded	2008-2010
Construction cost	$8.642 million (estimated)
Architect	Thalheimer and Weitz
Tenants
	Drexel Dragons (NCAA) (1975–present); US Open of Squash (2011–present);
Website
	drexeldragons.com

Daskalakis Athletic Center (DAC) is a 300,000 square feet (28,000 m²) athletic and recreational facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[2]

Description and history

The facility is best known for its 2,509-seat multi-purpose arena that is home to multiple Drexel University Dragons sports teams including basketball and wrestling. While the entire recreation center, including the multi-purpose arena, gym, natatorium, rock climbing wall, and squash canter are located in the athletic center, the "DAC" generally refers solely to the multi-purpose arena.

When originally opened in 1975 as the Physical Education Center, sometimes just referred to as the "New Gym", the facility included grandstands that sat a capacity of 1,800, and was expandable to 2,700 seats with temporary bleachers.^[3]

The athletic center was named for donor John Daskalakis in 2000.^[4] Daskalakis, a telecommunications executive and 1963 alum, played lacrosse while at Drexel.^[4] In January 2005, the basketball court was named Cozen Court after being dedicated to former Drexel men's basketball head coach Sam Cozen.^[5]

At the 2006 convocation Drexel University president Constantine Papadakis announced a 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m²), three-story addition to the existing Daskalakis Athletic Center. The project, which expanded to an 84,000-square-foot (7,800 m²) addition, broke ground in June 2008.^[6] Construction finished in December 2009 and parts of the building opened to students in January 2010. The Drexel Recreational Center officially opened in February 2010.^[7]^[8]

Notable events

Basketball

The DAC hosted games in all or part of the 1993–1996 America East Conference men's basketball tournaments, the 2005 NIT Season Tip-Off, and the 2007 and 2012 National Invitation Tournament. In 2013, the DAC hosted four games of the 2013 Women's NIT, with the Dragons defeating Utah 46-43 in the final to win the tournament.

The DAC was built in 1974 as the Physical Education and Athletic Center (PEAC)^[9] and was renamed in 2001 after a gift from former Drexel Lacrosse player John A. Daskalakis ('63).^[10]

The Daskalakis Athletic Center hosted the 2018 and 2022 Colonial Athletic Association women's basketball tournament, and will again host the tournament in 2024.

In 2023, the DAC will host The Basketball Tournament 2023 semifinals and championship.^[11]

Concerts

Midnight Madness

The annual Midnight Madness event was held in the arena before the basketball season begins. The event was similar to those at other universities, as it serves as a pep rally for the entire men's and women's basketball seasons. During the event, the lineups for the teams are announced, and the annual DAC Pack T-shirt design was also released. Since 2011, a concert was also held as a closing to the event. The 2013 event which featured Childish Gambino held an attendance of over 2,200. In 2014 the event was replaced with the Drexel Fall Fest.

Spring Jam

The annual Spring Jam concert, which is organized by the Drexel CAB, is generally held during the spring semester. The Spring Jam was performed at the DAC in 2006 before it was relocated to the Drexel Armory in 2007. Previously, the annual event was held in other areas including the Drexel Academic Quad, and Buckley Green. In 2011, it was relocated again to Lot F, an open parking area on Drexel's campus between Main Building and 31st Street. The headlining acts of the Spring Jam concerts performed at the Daskalakis Athletic Center have included:

2006: New Found Glory, My American Heart, Ernest Goodlife Band

Homecoming Concert

January 23, 1997: Rusted Root, Geggy Tah^[12]

Fall Concert

Previous to the Drexel Campus Activities Board hosting the Spring Jam, their annual concert was in the Fall

November 19, 1997: The Wallflowers^[13]
1996: No concert^[14]
November 18, 1995: The Smithereens, Ocean Blue^[15]

Winter Concert

February, 1978: The J. Geils Band, Kenn Kweder and The Secret Kids

Other Concerts

May 3, 1993: 10,000 Maniacs, Zap Mama^[16]
February 27, 1993: Velocity Girl, Low Road, Nasty Nas
March 4, 1978: The J. Geils Band, Ken Kweder and the Secret Kidds^[17]

Squash

From 2011 through 2019, the annual US Open of Squash was held in the arena.

Table Tennis

In 2008, the DAC hosted the 2008 U.S. Olympic & National Table Tennis Team Trials. The event reached a capacity crowd of 2,000.^[18]

Tennis

The DAC hosted the World Team Tennis Championship match between the Philadelphia Freedoms and Springfield Lasers on August, 5th 2018.

Arena Renovations

2012–2016

Over the span of multiple years, a staggered renovation took place in the main gym of the recreation center. The renovations took place during the basketball offseason each year (during Spring and Summer months) as to not interfere with the men's or women's basketball seasons.

2012

After a $3 million gift in support of Drexel athletics from John A. Daskalakis, renovations began in 2012 at the Daskalakis Athletic Center among other athletic facilities. The renovations completed in the first year of the upgrade were:

Major renovation to the home locker room
A Drexel athletics hall of fame display

2013

In the Summer of 2013, more renovations continued in the main gym including:

A large portion of the bleachers located on the West side of the gym were replaced with cushioned chair-back seating. This included VIP chair-back seating in the first row.
A small number of additional bleacher seats was added in the Southwest corner

2014

In March 2014, more renovations totaling $7.7M were approved^[19] and include:

Chair-back and VIP seating to replace the East bleachers, similar to the West bleacher renovation that occurred the previous offseason
New South bleacher, 28 rows in height and approximately 1,000 seats, to hold the DAC Pack and pep band. (Previously, the DAC Pack was primarily located at the East bleachers)
Several additional bathrooms, meeting space, a conference/reception area, and basket storage located in the Southwest corner behind the seating
New visitor locker room, located in the Northwest corner

The addition of floor 'pro-style' baskets was also investigated by the design team. Following their investigation, a decision was made to not implement the floor baskets because they found that the South bleachers would have to be moved back nine feet further from the basketball court, and also that floor baskets generally cause an obstructed view for any fans seated behind the basket. Because of this, the DAC will continue to use its swing-down style baskets.

2015

Phase 4 of the Daskalakis Athletic Center renovation, completed in October 2015 included:

New north-end seating, reducing the capacity to 2,509 from 2,532.
Improved concessions

2016

Phases 5 and 6 of the renovation began in May 2016 and were completed in September 2016. Phase 5 of the renovation involved additions to the basketball court level and includes the addition of bathrooms, offices, ticket booth, conference room, storage rooms, and an audio/visual room for television broadcasts. Phase 6 included installing an air conditioning system in the arena.

2022

On May 31, 2022, Drexel announced that construction was underway to add an LED video scoreboard, sound system, LED lighting, and an upgraded video production studio to the arena.^[20]

References

^ "Contracts Awarded For New Phys-Ed Center" (PDF). The Triangle. 2 July 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
^ "Drexel Alumnus John A. Daskalakis Pledges $3 Million to the University in Support of Athletics". Drexel University. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
^ Cunnion, Kevin (24 September 1975). "New Gym Awaits Students" (PDF). Philadelphia, PA: The Triangle. p. 35. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
^ a b "Daskalakis Athletic Center". Drexel University Athletics. Drexel University. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
^ "Sam Cozen Court to Be Dedicated Prior to Drexel-VCU Men's Game on Wednesday". drexeldragons.com. Drexel Athletics. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
^ Tatum, Kevin (April 16, 2008). "Drexel clears way for new arena". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
^ Stephenson, David (January 18, 2010). "Northside Dining Terrace now open to students". The Triangle. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
^ Stephenson, David (February 19, 2010). "Recreation Center opens doors". The Triangle. Archived from the original on 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
^ "Drexel University Buildings". Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-11-14.
^ "Dr. Zillmer bio for web" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2006-11-14.
^ "Drexel to Host The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Semifinals and Championship Game this August". DrexelDragons.com. Philadelphia, PA: Drexel University. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original (Web) on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
^ "The Triangle January 1997" (PDF). The Triangle. January 10, 1997. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
^ "The Triangle September 1997" (PDF). The Triangle. Sep 26, 1997. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
^ Dang, Anh. "C.A.B. will skip fall concert" (PDF). Drexel Triangle. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
^ Dang, Anh. "CAB Fall concert date set" (PDF). Drexel Triangle. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
^ "The Triangle May 1993" (PDF). The Triangle. May 7, 1993. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
^ Lalli, Russ (10 March 1978). "Geils rock up a storm in Drexel gym" (PDF). Philadelphia, PA: The Triangle. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
^ "Capacity Crowd Fills Daskalakis Athletic Center for Olympic Trials". Drexel Athletics. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
^ "FY2014 SLAS Goals Report". Drexel University. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
^ "Daskalakis Athletic Center Will Feature Video Board for Upcoming Season". Philadelphia, PA. 31 May 2022. Archived from the original (Web) on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.

External links

Drexel Dragons - Daskalakis Athletic Center
Drexel Recreation Center

[1] "Contracts Awarded For New Phys-Ed Center" (PDF). The Triangle. 2 July 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 14 August 2018.

[2] "Drexel Alumnus John A. Daskalakis Pledges $3 Million to the University in Support of Athletics". Drexel University. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.

[3] Cunnion, Kevin (24 September 1975). "New Gym Awaits Students" (PDF). Philadelphia, PA: The Triangle. p. 35. Retrieved 27 January 2023.

[Daskalakis-4] "Daskalakis Athletic Center". Drexel University Athletics. Drexel University. Retrieved 17 March 2024.

[5] "Sam Cozen Court to Be Dedicated Prior to Drexel-VCU Men's Game on Wednesday". drexeldragons.com. Drexel Athletics. Retrieved 10 March 2016.

[6] Tatum, Kevin (April 16, 2008). "Drexel clears way for new arena". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-05-15.

[7] Stephenson, David (January 18, 2010). "Northside Dining Terrace now open to students". The Triangle. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-01-26.

[8] Stephenson, David (February 19, 2010). "Recreation Center opens doors". The Triangle. Archived from the original on 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2010-02-23.

[Completion-9] "Drexel University Buildings". Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-11-14.

[Naming-10] "Dr. Zillmer bio for web" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2006-11-14.

[11] "Drexel to Host The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Semifinals and Championship Game this August". DrexelDragons.com. Philadelphia, PA: Drexel University. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original (Web) on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.

[12] "The Triangle January 1997" (PDF). The Triangle. January 10, 1997. Retrieved 8 March 2015.

[13] "The Triangle September 1997" (PDF). The Triangle. Sep 26, 1997. Retrieved 8 March 2015.

[14] Dang, Anh. "C.A.B. will skip fall concert" (PDF). Drexel Triangle. Retrieved 25 March 2016.

[15] Dang, Anh. "CAB Fall concert date set" (PDF). Drexel Triangle. Retrieved 25 March 2016.

[16] "The Triangle May 1993" (PDF). The Triangle. May 7, 1993. Retrieved 8 March 2015.

[17] Lalli, Russ (10 March 1978). "Geils rock up a storm in Drexel gym" (PDF). Philadelphia, PA: The Triangle. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.

[18] "Capacity Crowd Fills Daskalakis Athletic Center for Olympic Trials". Drexel Athletics. Retrieved 23 June 2014.

[19] "FY2014 SLAS Goals Report". Drexel University. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.

[20] "Daskalakis Athletic Center Will Feature Video Board for Upcoming Season". Philadelphia, PA. 31 May 2022. Archived from the original (Web) on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.

v t e Drexel University
Academics	Colleges Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design Bennett S. LeBow College of Business College of Arts and Sciences College of Engineering College of Computing and Informatics College of Medicine College of Nursing and Health Professions Goodwin College of Professional Studies Pennoni Honors College Schools Thomas R. Kline School of Law Dornsife School of Public Health Other Academy of Natural Sciences
Athletics	Drexel Dragons Men's basketball Women's basketball Men's lacrosse Men's soccer Wrestling Football (1875–1973) Colonial Athletic Association Daskalakis Athletic Center
Campus	Campus of Drexel University Hahnemann University Hospital Centennial National Bank
History	Alumni Faculty Founder History Presidents
Student life	Publications The Triangle WKDU Music Industry Entities

v t e Drexel Dragons men's basketball
Venues	Main Building (1894–1928) Curtis Hall Gym (1928–1952) Palestra (1949–1951, 3 games; 1987–1988 alternate) Sayre Junior High School (1951–1969) 32nd Street Armory (1969–1975) Daskalakis Athletic Center (1975–present)
Rivalries	Penn
Culture & lore	City 6 Mario the Magnificent "Drexel Fight Song" DAC Pack
People	Head coaches NBA draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	List of seasons 1894–95 1895–96 1896–97 1897–1900 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24

v t e Drexel Dragons women's basketball
Venues	32nd Street Armory (until 1975) Daskalakis Athletic Center (1975–present)
Culture & lore	City 6 Mario the Magnificent "Drexel Fight Song" DAC Pack
People	Head coaches Retired numbers
Seasons	1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24