South Carolina College Volleyball Venues See Continued Investment
The landscape of college volleyball in South Carolina is marked by a range of venues, from established arenas to newly developed facilities, reflecting a commitment to the sport at the collegiate level. As of , six dedicated college volleyball venues are currently listed within the state, according to available records.
Among the prominent venues is TD Arena, home to the College of Charleston men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball programs. Constructed at a cost of approximately $45 million, the arena offers 5,100 seats and boasts modern amenities, including expanded media areas, hospitality spaces, and dedicated locker rooms. The arena also features Hall of Fame areas, strength and conditioning facilities, a practice area, academic support spaces, and a sports medicine facility. The court within TD Arena is named John Kresse Court, honoring the College of Charleston’s all-time winningest basketball coach, John Kresse, who amassed 560 career victories and led the team to multiple NCAA and NIT tournament appearances.
Other identified venues include Buccaneer Field House, Dukes Gymnasium, G. B. Hodge Center, HTC Center, Kimbel Arena, SHM Memorial Center, Templeton Physical Education Center, Winthrop Coliseum, and the recently announced Kemba Walker Sports Academy. The Winthrop Coliseum, home to the Winthrop Eagles, has previously hosted the Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Championship game seven times, most recently in 2017.
The Kemba Walker Sports Academy, slated to open on , represents a new investment in multi-sport training facilities within the state. The academy aims to support athletes of all ages, focusing on skill development, discipline, and confidence-building in a professional environment. The academy is part of a broader initiative by SMITH Arenas to create sustainable, multi-sport centers and attract investment in athletic infrastructure.
SMITH Arenas is actively seeking investors to expand its network of premier sports facilities across the nation. The company emphasizes a business model built on sustainable growth and community partnership, aiming to provide long-term value for investors while fostering community engagement and athletic development. The company’s core values center around sportsmanship, mindfulness, inclusivity, teamwork, and health.
The construction of TD Arena involved significant material usage, including over 1,900 tons of structural steel, over 200,000 bricks, over 400 tons of reinforcing steel, and over 5,000 cubic yards of concrete. The arena also incorporates over 45,000 linear feet of concrete foundation.
While the focus remains on basketball, TD Arena’s versatility allows it to accommodate College of Charleston volleyball matches, contributing to the growing presence of the sport within the Charleston community. The arena’s features, including four scoreboards displaying game information and player statistics, enhance the spectator experience for all events.
The increasing investment in these facilities suggests a continued emphasis on collegiate athletics in South Carolina, providing athletes with enhanced training and competition environments. The development of facilities like the Kemba Walker Sports Academy also points to a broader trend of supporting athletic development at all levels, from youth sports to collegiate competition.
