Convocation Center, Kennesaw State University

 Located at 590 Cobb Avenue Kennesaw, GA 30144 the Kennesaw State Univerity Convocation Center first broke ground in January 2003. The architecture was done by Heery International and the total construction price was $19.18 million (around $31.46 million in 2023). The Convocation Center is Kennesaw State’s athletic department centerpiece on the main Kennesaw campus on the southeast corner of the Campus Green. Not only does it house the athletic department’s administrative offices, classrooms, player’s locker room, and team lounge but, it also holds the 4,600-seat arena. Construction finished and the building was opened in the first week of April of 2005 with a series of events to celebrate. 

On October 16th 2003, Kennesaw State University celbrated forty years of excellence in the convocation center with President Betty L. Siegel and the Chancellor of the University System Georgia Thomas C. Meredith. The center itsself had a celbration of weeklong events on its opeaning.

The building does not only hold sporting events such as competitions, it also has held seminars, concerts,high school commencements, trade shows, and other events. A few famous celebrities that have been at the Convocation Center are Billie Jean King, Anna Kournakova, Sir Elton John, Andy Roddick, and Martina Navrtilova. Who came to Kennesaw State University for the Atlanta Smash Hits World TeamTennis charity event in 2008.

In summer of 2012, the facilities had updates to better serve the university such as the ribbon board, Daktronics video wall, and portables that enhanced the games atmosphere. The wood flooring had the new logo for Kennesaw State's athletics replace the old. To make a better atmosphere for the fans at the games the Daktronics video wall was replaced with a screen wider and longer in the summer of 2022 that more than tripled the size.

Athletics games are the main draw to the Convocation Center featuring women’s and men’s basketball and volleyball teams. Every game the stands are packed with visitors coming to support the one of best universities in Georgia. Students and staff come together to cheer for the team and spread Kennesaw State University spirit. Especially this year, 2023, with the success of the men’s OWLs making it into the NCAA tournament. 

The attendance record for the facility was made on February 10, 2012 for the KSU vs Mercer basketball game the stadium was filled with with a total of 4,900 fans. Fans do not just come for games, Homecoming concerts such as the recent events 2019 and 2022 drew large crowds to the Convocation Center. In 2019, artist Max and Megan Thee Stallion sang to encourage KSU spirit and more recently in 2022 T-Pain hit the stage drawing students to celebrate homecoming at the Convocation center. 

The Convocation Center also features the Hospitality Suite that is located on the third floor of the venue and is used for various donor events on game nights. To appreciate their support and show them good old Kennesaw State University hospitality. Catering from world class Commons and other amenities are provided to ensure our guests feel welcome.

Tours of Kennesaw State University start at the convocation center because it is the heart of the university with its grandor and cheer and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

Commencement ceremonies are held at the Convocation Center not only for students of Kennesaw State but also for many high schools in Cobb county. The Kennesaw State University graduations are held at the convocation center three times a year in spring, summer, and fall. Celebrations that take place after the conclusion of the ceremony spread across the campus green filling it with elated families and friends of the graduates. 

The convocation center facilities are not only perfectly suited for Kennesaw State University but also for the community at large. As the facility can be rented for events by non afliated groups and student groups in need of the centers large capacity and capabilities.

KSU Convocation Center Dedication, 2005, Folder 3, Box: 8, Folder: 3. College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Thomas A. Scott. papers, 1975-2013, KSU-45-05-002. Kennesaw State University Archives.

KSU Convocation Center, KSU OWLS. Accessed April 17th, 2023. https://ksuowls.com/facilities/ksu-convocation-center/11.

Homecoming 2019 set for Oct. 7-12, Kennesaw State University. October 4th, 2019. Accessed April 18th, 2023. https://www.kennesaw.edu/news/stories/2019/homecoming-advisory-2019.php.

Homecoming 2022, Kennesaw State University. Accessed April 18th, 2023. https://experience.kennesaw.edu/homecoming-2022.

Elton John: a journey of his time in Atlanta through the AJC’s Peach Buzz column, The Altanta Journal-Constitution. November 4th, 2019. Accessed April 18th, 2023. https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/elton-john-journey-his-time-atlanta-through-the-ajc-peach-buzz-column/RwOe3AhBRuKvQA5H2wXh1M/.

Convocation Center, Kennesaw State University. Accessed April 18th, 2023. https://maps.kennesaw.edu.