Charles Koch Arena
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History:
Constructed in 1955 at a cost of $1.4 million, the 10,556-seat arena was considered futuristic because of its circular design. It was regarded as an excellent facility for spectator viewing because of its sight lines and the close proximity of fans to the court.
Levitt Arena was recognized around the Missouri Valley Conference and the nation for the homecourt advantage that boisterous WSU fans provide the Shockers. During the past 47 seasons, WSU men's basketball has fashioned a 502-183 record in Levitt Arena, a .703 percentage.
Wichita State averaged better than 7,000 fans a game in 35 of the last 38 seasons and annually ranks at the top of the MVC in attendance. More than 5.5 million fans poured through the gates of Levitt Arena to view Shocker basketball in the last 47 years.
WSU women's basketball experienced its first undefeated season at 12-0 in 1999-2000, and also had its first sellout crowd as 10,529 watched the Shockers defeat the SMS Lady Bears on March 4, 2000. The women's team compiled a 211-164 record (.563) in Levitt Arena since the 1974-75 season.
The volleyball team played in the arena from 1974-80 before moving to the Heskett Center, and the returned to Levitt in 1991 through the 2001 season. In the 19 years in Levitt Arena the team compiled a 114-89-1 (.561) record.
Originally known as the Roundhouse, the arena was rededicated Jan. 17, 1969, in honor of the late Henry Levitt, a civic leader in Wichita and a noted friend and supporter of Wichita State. The arena received a major facelift in the summer of 1987, including installation of a new lighting system, painting of the arena interior, refinishing of all bleachers, installation of new goals with mounted shot clocks, and refinishing and painting of the court. A year later the concourse received a new look, which included repainting, new banners, and new signage.
In the past six seasons, every locker room had been rennovated, including the men's basketball locker room in 2000.