Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex has been named a “2012 University Top Stop” and ranked fourth in university venues its size in the United States by the trade journal Venues Today.
Kovalchick Complex employees (left to right) Gregg Kalemba, director of finance; Josh Kropf, operations manager; Eric Stipcak, box office manager; Bob Smith, events manager; Mary Ann Lambrinos, director of corporate sales; Christine Knapik, conference sales manager; Ben Jewart, audiovisual technician; Katie Mikos, director of marketing; Jim Grafstrom, general manager; and Sam Phillips, IUP assistant vice president for Administration. (photo: Keith Boyer)
Joining the Kovalchick Complex in the top five university venues with a capacity of 2,001–5,000 are the Wharton Center for Performing Art at Michigan State, the Cox Pavilion at University of Nevada Las Vegas, the Mac at Monmouth University, and the Auditorium Theater–Chicago at Roosevelt University. The ranking was based on capacity, total gross sales, total attendance, and number of shows in 2012.
The Kovalchick Complex is managed by Global Spectrum.
“For the Kovalchick Complex to be recognized as one of the top five stops for university venues of our size by Venues Today is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Global Spectrum general manager Jim Grafstrom.
“This recognition serves as a true testament to the incredible amount of effort by Global Spectrum in cooperation with the IUP Administration and Finance operations team, who remain focused on providing high-quality entertainment in Indiana for many years to come.”
Open since March 2011, the Kovalchick Complex is the newest facility on the IUP campus and is home to Crimson Hawks basketball and volleyball. In addition to the 5,000-seat Ed Fry Arena, the complex offers more than 23,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and the 650-seat Toretti Auditorium.
In the past year, the Kovalchick Complex has played host to a variety of successful shows, including Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Toughest Monster Trucks, Disney Live, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, TNA Wrestling, BOB, the B.E. Taylor Christmas Concert, and the Harlem Globetrotters.
“We are excited about the recent rankings released by Venues Today,” said Sam Phillips, assistant vice president for Administration and Kovalchick Complex contract administrator.
“Since its opening, the complex has brought first-rate quality entertainment to Indiana that both the university and community have openly embraced. We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with Global Spectrum as we strive to maintain and exceed our standing as a premier entertainment destination in western Pennsylvania.”
In addition to the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, Global Spectrum manages more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 20 million people attended more than 11,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world's largest sports and entertainment companies.