Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Indoor arena at Wake Forest University
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a large indoor arena in Winston-Salem with seating for around 14,700 people. The building features a wooden parquet floor, high ceilings, and adjustable interior layouts that allow it to host sports events, concerts, and other gatherings in a clean, well-maintained space.
The arena was built starting in 1987 and opened in 1989 to replace an older facility that could no longer meet local needs. It is named after Lawrence Joel, an Army medic who received the Medal of Honor in 1967 for his actions during the Vietnam War.
The arena is named after Lawrence Joel, a soldier from the area who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery. Veterans memorials outside the building serve as gathering spaces where the community pays respects to those who served.
The building offers good sightlines from the stands to the central event floor and is designed for accessibility for visitors of all ages. The space can be reconfigured for different types of events, so checking the current setup before your visit helps you know what to expect.
The arena hosted NCAA tournament games and was the site where legendary coach Dean Smith achieved his 877th victory, making him the winningest college coach at that time. Beyond sports, filmmakers used the arena for scenes including a bull-riding sequence in the 2014 movie "The Longest Ride".
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