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William L. White Auditorium

Video of Improvements

Throughout NCAA Division II programs, White Auditorium is regarded as one of the premier basketball arenas in the nation.

The 68 year old facility was upgraded during the fall of 2008 with a new scoreboard and video board as well as a new color scheme on the arena floor and the throughout the entire building.

The approximately $270,000 improvement project was funded with City of Emporia general fund and Convention and Visitors Bureau money, along with contributions from ESU, the Walter S. and Evan C. Jones Trust, Emporia Sports Promotions, Inc., and Sunflower Gymnastics.

Mounted on the south wall of the arena, the video board displays everything from player photos and statistics to game action from the floor.

John Decker, ESU’s graphic artist, created the color scheme, decorative striping and lettering design which gives the arena its bright new look. The auditorium’s inch-thick maple floor was sanded and refinished as well.

Built in 1940 as a product of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Public Works Administration (PWA), William Lindsay White Auditorium serves the needs of the Emporia community and Emporia State University. Not only does the structure house the city’s municipal offices, but it has served as the home of Hornet basketball since 1940.

White Auditorium will again be the site of the Kansas State High School Activities Association 6A State basketball championship and the Lyon County League basketball tournament which is the longest continuous running high school tournament west of the Mississippi. White Auditorium has hosted a state basketball championship in all but three years since 1955.

White Auditorium also has served as the performing arts center for
many of the top performers in the entertainment business. Sports fans visiting ESU athletic events will benefit from the recently resurfaced and redesigned hardwood floor. The surface, designed by Shawn Honea and selected by a group of University and community leaders, was constructed by Wich-craft IMS, using a revolutionary Hilliard waterborne two-part apoxy.

During the 1994-95 men’s and women’s basketball season, the Auditorium was renovated and bleacher seating was added to the south end of the court, expanding the seating capacity from 3,700 to 5,000.

ESU rents the auditorium on a year-to-year basis, saving the State of Kansas millions of dollars in tax funds annually. The University also uses the facility for winter commencement exercises, concerts, and various clinics.

On-Campus Facilities
The Lady Hornets practice facility in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building on the Emporia State campus underwent a major renovation during the summer of 2008. A new lighting system was installed as well as a the playing court getting resurfaced to match the arena floor at White Auditorium.

A state of the art team lounge is available in the HPER Building to all players at any time during the day and is secured by an electronic security system.

The team lounge has many features to make the Lady Hornets feel comfortable. Each player has her own wood locker. There are two leather couches situated around a big screen television set. There is also a Sony PlayStation available in the lounge. A refrigerator is located in the lounge for players to keep cool drinks or snacks during the day. A computer is available to help the student-athletes with their academics.