The Spurs present area has been given a reputation change. The Frost Financial institution Middle will kick off its first season because the Spurs house with the extra fanfare of Victor Wembanyama. The Frost Financial institution Middle was previously known as the AT&T Middle, and previous to that the SBC Middle.
However this area positioned at 1 AT&T Middle Parkway (will the road additionally change names, I’ll should look into that one) was not the one house of the Spurs there have been two different constructions. And relying in your age and specific architectural desire, you will have reminiscences of a unique group and a unique time.
HemisFair Area (1973-1993)
I began my tenure with Pounding The Rock writing about my first reminiscences of the HemisFair Area. Laborious to imagine it’s been six years since I joined these guys. I feel I’ll have stated it finest then:
In 1984, throughout their first ever shedding season, that massive room might look so empty. However the power of HemisFair by no means felt empty. Down on the ground, there have been the Baseline Bums, dancing and cheering (irrespective of the state of the sport). Scattered all through the world, teams of followers have been peppered among the many 16,057 seats. Mother and father introducing their kids to the highest-level of native leisure; consuming scorching canines, sharing bins of popcorn. Co-workers celebrating an evening out. Season ticket holders standing tall. And method up excessive — nearly touching the ceiling — within the seats put aside particular, single rows of younger, uniformed navy officers sipped beer from clear plastic cups- their presence a illustration of San Antonio itself. Their enthusiasm barreling down. Their gratitude ever-present. No Jumbotron to raised see the highlights and replays. However they have been enthusiastic all the identical. In case you went to get a snack you could possibly stroll the whole perimeter of HemisFair and never stumble upon anybody. This was the calm earlier than the storm we now know as we speak. That is how the Spurs grew to become the SPURS!
For a 10-year-old boy, there was no better thrill, and seeing footage of these early video games all through the fiftieth anniversary, I used to be really taken again to precisely how I grew to become a fan of the San Antonio Spurs and why I nonetheless sit right here writing about them day after day.
AlamoDome (1993-2002)
The AlamoDome was a little bit of an odd chicken. Constructed to be a soccer discipline for a group that may by no means come, the Spurs moved into the house in 1993 and cut up the construction with a ginormous blue curtain. Sentimentally, it’s the house to the Spurs first ever NBA title, in addition to the celebration spot after the river parade for the following titles as effectively.
Personally, I went to some video games right here in faculty. My buddy Jason’s dad had wonderful seats and we have been yelling “Worm” at Dennis Rodman shut sufficient that he rotated and made eye contact. Seeing David Robinson in his prime makes this spot particularly sentimental.
Final yr, my daughter and I have been tow of the 68,323 spectators final January thirteenth when the Spurs performed there as a part of the fiftieth anniversary season.
SBC Middle (2002-2006)/AT&T Middle (2006-2023)
That is the place the Spurs have celebrated their final 4 NBA titles. Generationally talking, it’s the location most acquainted to followers. There are a bevy of followers who’ve by no means recognized one other location, simply as they didn’t know a time earlier than Tim Duncan. The middle was constructed proper subsequent door to the Freeman Coliseum, the place I bear in mind going as a toddler for the rodeo. It felt such as you had left city again then.
Since overlaying video games, I’ve spent extra time within the (I’m going to name it AT&T Middle because it was all through my time with PtR), walked by way of extra areas, seen nooks and crannies, interviewed my heroes, cheered on my group, and even been on the courtroom for these superior submit recreation free throws.
The AT&T Middle is the place my daughter grew to become a fan (daddy-daughter date nights are sometimes paired with house video games) and my satisfaction within the group that has all the time put group and tradition on the forefront of their franchise has broadened. I’ve spent many nice years right here and sit up for many extra.
Undoubtedly nice reminiscences of all areas.
What reminiscences do you’ve gotten of the varied locales the Spurs have known as house? Have a look again earlier than we kick off a brand new — and hopefully historic — run.
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