Arena-Auditorium

Nov 03, 2017; Laramie, WY, USA; Arena Auditorium - Kenny Sailors dedication at Arena-Auditorium in Laramie. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-UW Media-Athletics

UW fans at men's basketball game, vs CSU

Sept 30, 2014; Laramie, WY, USA; Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls Basketball Media Day at Arena-Auditorium. Credit: Troy Babbitt

What is more impressive is UW's success in the building. Tabbed the "Dome of Doom," the Cowboys have won 73 percent of their games in the Double A and hosted 15 postseason tournament games. The Cowgirls have hosted Women's National Invitation Tournament games since 2003, including capturing the 2007 WNIT championship in front of more than 15,400 fans. The Cowboys also win a College Basketball invitational title in 2016-17. Home to the Wyoming Cowboy and Cowgirl basketball teams, the Arena-Auditorium has the distinction of being the highest NCAA Division I basketball venue in the country with an elevation of 7,220 feet. The 200,000 square-foot facility was built in 1982 at a cost of $15 million and recently completed a $30 million renovation. Phase I of the updates was completed in the fall of 2014 with Phase II in 2017. The building still holds the largest indoor seating capacity in the state at 11,612.

The first game played in the AA was February 20, 1982, a doubleheader featuring the men's and women's basketball teams. The Cowgirls downed Air Force, 81-60, and the Cowboys defeated Air Force 59-29 before a capacity crowd of 15,004. The Wyoming programs have gone on to draw 16 sellouts in the AA and 77 crowds of more than 10,000. UW has hosted two men's conference basketball tournaments in the Arena-Auditorium and two conference wrestling championships.

One of the most memorable games played in Arena-Auditorium history was on March 2, 2002, when the largest crowd in Double A history (16,089) watched Wyoming and Utah battle for the Mountain West Conference championship in the final regular-season game of the year. The Cowboys prevailed, 57-56.

The Double A houses several facilities that are designated specifically for the Cowboy and Cowgirl basketball teams. The men and women each have their own locker room, team room and video room, while the two programs share a 2,500 square-foot weight room and sports medicine area.