{{Short description|Arena in Utica, New York, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}} {{Infobox venue | name = Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium | nickname = The Aud | logo_image = ADK Bank Center.PNG | image = Utica Memorial Arena after renovation, 2016-02-07.jpg | image_caption = Utica Memorial Auditorium in 2016 prior exterior renovations | pushpin_map = New York##USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location within New York##Location within the United States | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_label = Adirondack Bank Center | address = 400 Oriskany Street West | location = [[Utica, New York]] | coordinates = | broke_ground = April 15, 1957<ref name="archeng"/> | opened = March 13, 1960<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rushmore|first1=Ralph|title=A City Reborn|date=1960|publisher=Fusco Advertising Agency|location=Utica|page=18}}</ref> | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority | operator = Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority | surface = | cost = $4.5 million<br />(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|4500000|1960}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) | architect = Gehron & Seltzer and Frank Delle Cese<ref name="archeng">{{cite news |title=Guest View: The Aud Turns 50 |first1=Paul |last1=Romano|first2=David |last2=Romano |url=http://www.uticaod.com/communties/utica/x313655185/Guest-view-The-Aud-turns-50 |newspaper=[[Observer-Dispatch]]|location=Utica |date=May 23, 2009 |access-date=August 12, 2013}}</ref><ref name="uticaod.com">{{cite news |last=Miner |first=Dan |title=From idea to reality |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2010/06/05/from-idea-to-reality/45059452007/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |newspaper=Observer-Dispatch |location=Utica |language=en-US}}</ref> | structural_engineer = [[Lev Zetlin & Associates]]<ref name="archeng"/> | former_names = Utica Memorial Auditorium (1960–2017) | tenants = [[Mohawk Valley Comets]] ([[North American Hockey League (1973–77)|NAHL]]) (1973–1977)<br />[[Utica Olympics]] ([[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]]) (1979–1980)<br />[[Mohawk Valley Comets (ACHL)|Mohawk Valley Stars/Comets]] ([[Atlantic Coast Hockey League|ACHL]]) (1981–1987)<br />[[Utica Devils]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) (1987–1993)<br />[[Utica Blizzard]] ([[Colonial Hockey League|CoHL]]) (1994–1997)<br />[[Mohawk Valley Prowlers]] ([[United Hockey League|UHL]]) (1998–2001)<br />[[Utica University|Utica University Pioneers]] ([[ECAC West|NCAA]]) (2000–present)<br />[[Utica Comets]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) (2013–present)<br />[[Utica City FC]] ([[Major Arena Soccer League|MASL]]) (2018–present)<br />[[Utica Jr. Comets]] ([[United States Premier Hockey League|USPHL]]) (2019–present)<br />United Elite Krasjisnik FC ([[Major Arena Soccer League 2|MASL2]]) (2023–present) | seating_capacity = 5,700 (floor events)<br />4,500 (basketball)<br />3,999 (ice hockey/indoor soccer) | dimensions = | website = {{official|http://www.adkbankcenter.com}} }}
The '''Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium'''<ref name="adkaud">{{cite news |last=Birnell |first=Ben |title=$2M deal leads to new name for Utica Aud |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/sports/2017/09/27/2m-deal-leads-to/18715437007/ |date=2017-09-27 |access-date=2022-09-27 |newspaper=Observer-Dispatch |location=Utica |language=en-US}}</ref> is a 3,999-seat multi-purpose [[arena]] in [[Utica, New York]], with a capacity of 5,700 for concerts. Nicknamed '''the Aud''', it is the home arena of the [[Utica Comets]], the [[American Hockey League|AHL]] affiliate of the [[National Hockey League|NHL]]'s [[New Jersey Devils]], and [[Utica City FC]] of the [[Major Arena Soccer League]]. The arena along with the connecting Nexus Center, Utica City FC and Utica Comets are all currently managed by Mohawk Valley Garden.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBirnell@RNYmedia.com |first=Ben Birnell {{!}} Sports writer {{!}} |date=2024-12-23 |title='A game-changer': Utica arena is first in North America to have LED dasherboards |url=https://www.romesentinel.com/news/utica-arena-led-dasherboard-first-in-north-america/article_ee09edc6-bd86-11ef-b6ad-4fa3af207cda.html |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Rome Sentinel |language=en}}</ref>
In 2011, the Utica Memorial Auditorium was designated as a [[List of Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks|National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark]] by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] in recognition of its innovative cable suspended roof.
==History== The Utica Memorial Auditorium was conceived by then-Utica mayor [[John T. McKennan]], who believed that the city needed a place for entertainment and sporting events.<ref name="archeng"/> McKennan and the administration that he hired to plan out the process, led by Frank M. Romano, then hired Gilbert Seltzer, a well-known architect, to draw up plans for the building.<ref name="archeng"/> A site was found along the old [[Erie Canal]], and groundbreaking took place April 15, 1957. The arena was constructed using the world's first pre-stressed dual cable roof system, designed by [[Lev Zetlin]] (who would later partner with architect Philip Johnson to construct both the [[New York State Pavilion]] "Tent of Tomorrow" seen at the 1964 World's Fair<ref>{{cite news |last=Lambert |first=Bruce |date=December 5, 1992 |title=Lev Zetlin, 74, an Expert on Structural Disasters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/05/obituaries/lev-zetlin-74-an-expert-on-structural-disasters.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526052610/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/05/obituaries/lev-zetlin-74-an-expert-on-structural-disasters.html |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |access-date=November 23, 2023 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, also located in Utica, NY<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archdaily.com/492133/ad-classics-munson-williams-proctor-arts-institute-philip-johnson/ |title=AD Classics: Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute / Philip Johnson |first=Denim |last=Pascucci |website=[[ArchDaily]] |date=April 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2024}}</ref>) with "struts" between the cables.<ref name="uticaod.com"/> John A. Roebling's Sons Company developed the tensioning method for the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1941387_542818165833626_1957106818_o.jpg |title=Unique Roebling-Designed Tensioning System used to Erect Suspended Roof Cables of Utica Civic Auditorium (Advertisement) |date=August 1960 |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714122800/https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1941387_542818165833626_1957106818_o.jpg |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=WKTV>{{cite news |url=http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Utica-Memorial-Auditorium-named-Civil-Engineering-Landmark-128711428.html |title=Utica Memorial Auditorium named Civil Engineering Landmark |work=[[WKTV]] News |date=August 30, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927171527/http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Utica-Memorial-Auditorium-named-Civil-Engineering-Landmark-128711428.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Zetlin's design became the predecessor to the many modern dome designs seen today, and has since influenced many other tensile structures including Madison Square Garden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theuticaaud.com/?page_id=15 |title=Home |website=Adirondack Bank Center}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uticacomets.com/tickets/arena/ |title=Arena |website=Utica Comets |access-date=June 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619054621/http://www.uticacomets.com/tickets/arena/ |archive-date=June 19, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/iavm/uticamemorial.htm |title=Utica Memorial Auditorium Recognized as National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark |website=International Association of Venue Managers |access-date=July 13, 2024}}</ref> Seltzer would take the most pride in constructing "The Aud", saying, "This was the first successful use of cables for a roof structure."
"The Aud" was also one of the first stadiums to have telescopic seats. Telescopic bleachers (the bleachers pulled out from below higher levels) were common in stadiums, but Zetlin requested more comfortable seating for the arena.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ackerman |first1=Bryan |title=Aud Architecture Made It "Breakthrough Facility" |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2010/06/06/aud-architecture-made-it-breakthrough/45059441007/ |date=June 6, 2010 |newspaper=Observer Dispatch |location=Utica |access-date=2024-07-13}}</ref>
Work continued through 1958 and into 1959. When the auditorium was finally completed, it became one of just three arenas built without obstructed views.<ref>{{cite web |title=Utica Memorial Auditorium History |url=http://www.uticaaud.org/pages/page.cfm?page=About%20US |website=Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority |access-date=September 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722015050/http://www.uticaaud.org/pages/page.cfm?page=About%20US |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The arena opened on March 13, 1960, with the Greater Utica Industrial Exposition its first event, running three evenings from March 16–19. 96 exhibitors took part in the presentation which drew an attendance of some 45,000.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rushmore |first1=Ralph |title=A City Reborn |year=1960 |publisher=Fusco Advertising Agency |location=Utica |pages=20–21}}</ref> In 1962, it hosted the NCAA [[NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship|Division I Men's Hockey Championship]] (AKA the "Frozen Four"). In 2017, the arena hosted the [[NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championship|Division III "Frozen Four"]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/sports/2017/03/24/utica-college-is-set-to/21902292007/ |title=Utica College is set to Host Frozen Four |newspaper=Observer-Dispatch |location=Utica |first=Marquel |last=Slaughter |date=March 23, 2017 |access-date=July 13, 2024}}</ref>
Scenes from the 1977 [[film]] ''[[Slap Shot (film)|Slap Shot]]'' starring [[Paul Newman]] were shot at the auditorium. The original center-hung scoreboard, as seen in the movie, was unusual in that the game time was kept by a digital clock, while the penalty time was kept by analog clocks. This was eventually replaced by a center-hung scoreboard designed by Eversan, which includes a one-line messageboard.
In 2011, the Utica Memorial Auditorium was designated as a [[List of Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks|National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark]] by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] in recognition of its innovative cable suspended roof.<ref name=WKTV/><ref>{{cite web |title=Utica Memorial Auditorium |url=https://www.asce.org/project/utica-memorail-auditorium/ |website=American Society of Civil Engineers |access-date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423055901/https://www.asce.org/project/utica-memorail-auditorium/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Utica Memorial Auditorium Interior- December 15, 2013.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of the arena prior to future renovations]]On June 14, 2013, it was announced that the [[Peoria Rivermen (AHL)|Peoria Rivermen]], the [[American Hockey League|AHL]] farm team of the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Vancouver Canucks]] would be relocating to the Utica Memorial Auditorium for the 2013–14 season as the [[Utica Comets]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Utica Comets Announced as Local AHL Team |url=http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Utica-Comets-announced-as-local-AHL-team-211581621.html |work=WKTV News |date=June 14, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616224541/http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Utica-Comets-announced-as-local-AHL-team-211581621.html |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As the AHL has a strong presence in Western and Central New York State, the league agreed to the move, citing the move would further boost the league's strength in the Northeast while further cutting down on travel expenses. On October 23, 2013, the Comets played at "The Aud", losing 4–1 to the [[Albany Devils]] in front of a sold out crowd.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uticacomets.com/cometsschedulelist/ |title=Utica Comets 2013-2014 Schedule |website=Utica Comets |access-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509234709/http://www.uticacomets.com/cometsschedulelist/ |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Frank Corrado]] scored the first Comet goal on home ice.
In addition to the Comets, the auditorium plays host to the [[Utica University]] Pioneers men's and women's ice hockey teams that play in the [[United Collegiate Hockey Conference]] of the [[NCAA Division III]], the Skating Club of Utica, the Jr. Comets youth hockey program and several [[high school]] [[Varsity team|varsity]] [[ice hockey]] [[team]]s. It was the former home for the [[Mohawk Valley Comets]] of the [[North American Hockey League (1973–1977)|North American Hockey League]], the [[Mohawk Valley Stars]]/Comets of the [[Atlantic Coast Hockey League]], the [[Utica Devils]] of the [[American Hockey League]], the [[Utica Blizzard]], and [[Mohawk Valley Prowlers]] of the [[United Hockey League]], and the [[Norfolk IceCats|Mohawk Valley IceCats]] of the [[North Eastern Hockey League]]. Both Pioneer hockey teams boast the highest average attendance for a [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]] hockey team in the United States, with regular season games frequently selling out.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
In recent years, "The Aud" has earned high rankings from hockey circles, earning the #8 spot in "The 10 Coolest Hockey Rinks in the World" list by Complex Magazine,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/art-design/2011/11/the-10-coolest-hockey-rinks-in-the-world#4 |title=The 10 Coolest Hockey Rinks in the World |website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref> the #8 rank for best AHL arena by Stadium Journey,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stadiumjourney.com/news/05-20-2014/656/2014-ahl-arena-rankings/ |title=Ranking the Arenas of the AHL |last=Baker |first=Paul |date=May 20, 2014 |website=Stadium Journey |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804230924/http://www.stadiumjourney.com/news/05-20-2014/656/2014-ahl-arena-rankings/ |archive-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref> and #4 in the Pure Hockey Blog's list of the top 6 places to skate for hockey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hockey Bucket List: 6 Best Rinks To Play In |date=October 21, 2014 |website=Pure Hockey Blog |last1=Bernstein |first1=Mat |url=http://blog.purehockey.com/hockey-bucket-list-6-best-rinks-play/ |access-date=April 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414031806/http://blog.purehockey.com/hockey-bucket-list-6-best-rinks-play/ |archive-date=April 14, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Photos and renderings of the Utica Memorial Auditorium are on permanent display at New York's Museum of Modern Art. The museum's collection honors the auditorium as an architectural landmark.<ref>{{cite web |last=Buck |first=Judy |url=http://old.nyc10044.com/wire/3406/Seltzer.htm |title=At 99, Architect Remembers His First Break – |access-date=June 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195713/http://old.nyc10044.com/wire/3406/Seltzer.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build97/PDF/b97067.pdf|title=Fire Research Division| journal=Nist |date=December 11, 2008}}</ref>
In 2015 two video boards where installed in the arena alongside other upgrades as part of a renovation package for the arena.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bostick |date=2015-10-21 |first=Carolyn |title=Utica Aud getting better with age as renovations continue |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2015/10/21/utica-aud-getting-better-with/33231748007/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Utica Observer Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
On September 27, 2017, the Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority announced a 10-year [[naming rights]] deal with locally based [[Adirondack Bank]], amending the official name of "The Aud" to Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.<ref name="adkaud"/>
In November 2017, work was completed on the 26,000-square-foot expansion that added a new entrance, a half-dozen executive suites, a new women's bathroom, a building-wide sprinkler system and other amenities to the facility. The $10.55 million project was fully funded by the state.<ref>{{cite news |title=Comets home ice reborn |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2017/11/01/comets-home-ice-reborn/17637676007/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |location=Utica |newspaper=Observer-Dispatch |language=en-US|first=Greg|last=Mason|date=2017-11-01}}</ref> A restaurant named "72 Tavern & Grill" was constructed on existing foundation on the West side of the facility that supported underground areas of the Aud. The "72" is in honor of the 72 cables that have held up the roof of the Adirondack Bank Center for more than 50 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://wibx950.com/72-tavern-and-grill-coming-to-the-adirondack-bank-center |title=72 Tavern and Grill Coming to the Adirondack Bank Center |first=Jim |last=Rondenelli |date=March 15, 2018 |work=[[WIBX]] News |access-date=July 13, 2024}}</ref>
On June 1, 2018, the Adirondack Bank Center hosted [[UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes]].
On June 13, 2018, Mohawk Valley Garden CEO Rob Esche and [[Major Arena Soccer League]] (MASL) commissioner Joshua Schaub, along with other officials, announced that Utica will field a professional indoor soccer team — called [[Utica City FC|Utica City Football Club]], or UCFC for short — that will play home games at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium beginning with the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Birnell |first=Ben |title=Utica gets Major Arena Soccer League team |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/sports/2018/06/13/utica-gets-major-arena-soccer/11962427007/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |location=Utica |newspaper=Observer-Dispatch |language=en-US|date=2018-06-13}}</ref> The team had previously been known as the Syracuse Silver Knights.
The Nexus Canter, a new sports facility adjacent to the Aud and connected to it via an indoor walkway, was completed in 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Governor Hochul Announces Grand Opening of $64 Million Nexus Center in Downtown Utica |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-grand-opening-64-million-nexus-center-downtown-utica |date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Governor Kathy Hochul |language=en}}</ref> It includes three playing spaces that can used for ice hockey or turf sports such as [[indoor soccer]]. The largest of these, having 1,200 seats, a [[Jumbotron]] screen, and multiple luxury boxes, is the home venue for the Utica University women's ice hockey team, the Utica Junior Comets, and the Utica Yeti Lacrosse team {{as of|2024|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Utica University Nexus Center |url=https://www.nexusutica.com/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Utica Univ. Nexus |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Utica University Nexus Center |url=https://oneidacountyny.gov/projects/utica-university-nexus-center/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Oneida County |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, [[Utica University]] purchased its naming rights, rebranding it the Utica University Nexus Center.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nexus Center rebranded as Utica University Nexus Center |url=https://www.utica.edu/news-events/news/nexus-center-rebranded-utica-university-nexus-center |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Utica University |date=2023-03-02}}</ref>
The [[Professional Women's Hockey League]] (PWHL) held a five day evaluation camp at the Nexus Centre in December 2023 ahead of its [[2024 PWHL season|inaugural season]]; all six PWHL teams participated.<ref>{{cite news |last=Donkin |first=Karissa |date=2023-12-03 |title=Let the scrimmages begin: PWHL gathers in Upstate New York with final cuts on horizon |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-utica-camp-preview-1.7046879 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205125525/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-utica-camp-preview-1.7046879 |archive-date=2023-12-05 |access-date=2024-01-05 |work=[[CBC Sports]]}}</ref> The [[2024 IIHF Women's World Championship]] was held at the Adirondack Bank Center and Nexus Center from the 4th to 14th of April, with Canada winning the gold.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women's hockey world championship headed to Utica, N.Y. in 2024 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/iihf-womens-hockey-worlds-2024-poy-1.6812427 |access-date=July 13, 2023 |website=CBC Sports |first=Myles |last=Dichter |date=April 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/iihf-women-world-championship-final-canada-usa-gold-medal-game |title=Canada edges US in overtime for women's hockey world title |work=[[NBC Sports]] |language=en |date=14 April 2024 |accessdate=15 April 2024}}</ref> The [[2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships]] were held at the Adirondack Bank Center and Nexus Center between September 20 and 29 2024. Canada won the Men's Championship, while the United States won the Women's championship.<ref name=lacrosse>{{Cite web |last=Lacrosse |first=World |date=2023-05-02 |title=World Lacrosse awards 2024 Box Championships to Utica, New York |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/article/world-lacrosse-awards-2024-box-championships-to-utica-new-york/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=World Lacrosse |language=en-US}}</ref>
In December 2024 360 degree LED [[Dasher board|dasher boards]] covering the entire rink where installed at the arena, making it the first arena in North America to feature 360 degree LED dasher boards and one of only 7 arenas in the world to feather 360 degree LED dasher boards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Birnell |first=Ben |date=2024-12-23 |title='A game-changer': Utica arena is first in North America to have LED dasherboards |url=https://www.romesentinel.com/news/utica-arena-led-dasherboard-first-in-north-america/article_ee09edc6-bd86-11ef-b6ad-4fa3af207cda.html |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Rome Sentinel |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Silverman |first=Alex |date=2024-12-23 |title=AHL team first in North America to install 360-degree LED dasherboards |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/12/23/360-degree-dasherboards-hockey/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref>
The arena hosted the frozen 4 of the 2025 and [[2026 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey tournament]] as well as 1st and 2nd round games.
==Concerts== "The Aud" held a [[Santana (band)|Santana]] concert on February 22, 1973 during their [[Caravanserai Tour]], their only concert in Utica, and the arena has the distinction of being the location of one of the last scheduled [[Elvis Presley]] concerts. The concert was scheduled to be on Friday, August 19, 1977, three days after Presley's death on August 16.
The [[Grateful Dead]] played there four times - twice in March 1973, once in January 1979, and finally on March 13, 1981 - almost exactly eight years after their first appearance there.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grateful Dead Venues: Utica Memorial Auditorium |url=https://jerrybase.com/venues/499|access-date= May 1, 2026}}</ref>
==High school sports== In addition to its regular season high school hockey games, the Utica Memorial Auditorium hosted the New York State Ice Hockey semi-finals and finals every year from its inception to the 2015 Championships. In August 2015, NYSPHSAA announced it would be moving the state tournament to Buffalo's [[HarborCenter]]. On March 9–10, 1973, Utica Memorial Auditorium hosted the 11th [[New York State Public High School Athletic Association|NYSPHSAA]] state wrestling tournament. The annual tournament has not returned to Utica since.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nysphsaawrestling.com/history.html |title=NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships - Tournament History |access-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109090933/http://nysphsaawrestling.com/history.html |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==Further reading== * {{cite news|last1=Ritter|first1=Andy|title=Utica Memorial Auditorium-Home of the Utica Comets|website=Roaming The Rinks}}
==External links== * {{official|http://www.adkbankcenter.com}}
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{succession box | title = Host of the<br />[[NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament|Frozen Four]] | years = 1962 | before = [[University of Denver Arena]]<br />[[Denver, Colorado]] | after = [[McHugh Forum]]<br />[[Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts]] }} {{succession box | title = Host of the [[NCAA Division III men's ice hockey tournament|Division III men's Frozen Four]] | years = [[2017 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey tournament|2017]] | before = [[Herb Brooks Arena]] | after = [[Herb Brooks Arena]] }} {{s-end}}
{{AHL Arenas}} {{City of Utica, New York}} {{MASL Arenas}} {{Authority control}}
{{Coord|43.104982|-75.233492|type:landmark|display=title}}
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