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Sioux City MusketeersArena Name: Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena
Capacity: 5,500
Built: 2003
Address: 401 Gordon Dr., Sioux City, Iowa, 51101
Telephone No: (712) 224-7825
Ice Surface Size: Regulation
Franchise Date: 1979-80
USHL Championships: 3, in 1981-82, 1985-86, 2001-02
Anderson Cup Championships: 2, in 1981-82, 1985-86
Colors: Green, Yellow, Purple & White
Official Web Site: http://www.musketeershockey.com/
Venue Web Site: http://www.tysoncenter.com/
Unofficial Sites: Unofficial Musketeers Message Board
Former Arena: Sioux City Auditorium
Aerial Photo: Google Maps
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| Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena |
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| What's the Arena Like? |
The Tyson opened midway through December and replaced the extremely tiny Auditorium. The Musketeers went from tiny and average to spacious and luxurious. The move to the Tyson saw the average attendance shoot up. The Musketeers set a single game attendance record on December 31, 2004 when they hosted Lincoln. 6,010 witnessed a shootout loss to Lincoln. The TEC is extremely well lit, which makes it a nice place to take pictures and watch on B2. The TEC features a state of the art scoreboard, located behind the Musketeers' goal. With the rich tradition the Musketeers and the Auditorium had, architects built the TEC around a corner of the Old Audi. This piece of building kinda gives the new TEC a nostalgic feeling.
The TEC features a "U" shaped bowl for seating. There is also a balcony, but it is not used for hockey any longer. The TEC also features many corporate suites, plus a few available for rent. When the TEC first opened, the balcony was used quite often, but it left many open seats in the bowl area. Just a couple of seasons ago, it was announced the balcony would no longer be used, so the bowl seating area would be fuller. This was also an attempt to create more of an "atmosphere" for the TEC.
The Tyson Events Center features a wide variety of concessions and food choices. There are seven different concession stands to choose from, including a drink station on the east side of the building. They have your usual arena food such as hot dogs, pretzels, and nachos, but also feature much more. Other unique foods the arena offers are turkey legs, super nacho, taco in a bag, chicken strips, french fries, cheese balls, and Pizza Hut pizza. Concessions prices are quite high, so I'd recommend eating before the game. There is one stand for merchandise, and it is located near the main entrance. It features things from t-shirts to sweatshirts to jerseys to pucks. Prices for souvenirs seem reasonable at the TEC.
There are a few major downsides to the TEC. The first being the lack of a slope between seats. When in your seat, it becomes tough to see if there are people sitting in front of you. I've heard it had to do with some rules regarding handicapped people. Speaking of sitting, another thing I dislike about the TEC is the lack of leg room. If you have long legs, be prepared to feel squished. Lastly, the roof. The roof is so high, it's not easy to keep chants going and it's hard to get any sort of "atmosphere" going.
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| Future
Developments |
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There are no plans to replace or renovate the Tyson Events Center.
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| What Is It Like For Away Fans? |
For opposing fans, the TEC is pretty laid back and calm. Sioux City has had a rep for having bad fans, though I have yet to witness any (drunk and fair weather fans happen everywhere.) The TEC averages under 3,000 per game, so it tends to have an empty feeling. The arena is not intimidating at all, as it's hard for the fans to keep chants going. Sometimes during starting lineups, you can get a few different "Let's go Muskies!" chants through the crowd.
Intimidation Factor: LOW
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| Inside the Tyson Events Center |
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How To Get There |
From I29 (Northbound): Take Exit 147B (Gordon Dr.) and take a left at the lights. Once you make the left, continue straight and go through the next two sets of lights. Just before you get to the next set, you will veer to the right. Your next right will take you right into the main parking lot.
From I29 (Southbound): Take Exit 147B (Gordon Dr.) and make a left at the lights. Go through the next set of lights and before you get to the second set of lights, you will veer to the right. You next right will take you right to the parking lot.
There is one large parking lot in front of the Events Center, plus a couple parking lots to the north. There is also places to park in the back that will allow you to get out quicker and easier. Parking is free at the TEC.
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| Admission
Prices |
Purple Section (Adult): $15.00
Gold Section (Adult): $11.50
Green Section (Adult): $10.00
Students (All Sections) $8.50
Tickets go up $1 day of game.
Seating Chart
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| Franchise History |
The Sioux City Musketeers have been part of the USHL since the days the league was semi-pro. They have been part of the league ever since they changed to juniors, and are among three teams that are charter members of the league (Des Moines and Waterloo being the other two.)
In their franchise history, the Musketeers have won the league's Clark Cup title just three times over a 25 year span. The latest came in 2001-2002, in which they upset number one seeded Omaha Lancers. They defeated the Lancers in Game 5 in the old Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum, which was the last game ever played there.
Up until the 2003-04 season, the Musketeers played in the old Sioux City Auditorium. The Auditorium was a place that gave the Muskies a distinct advantage, due to the small size of the rink and the fans that made the place loud.
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| Local
Rivals |
| The Musketeers have been heated rivals with the Omaha Lancers for many years. The games with the Lancers are always intense and usually are great games. Sioux City picked up a closer rival in Sioux Falls when they were awarded a team. They are only an hour apart, so it's a big rivalry. Sioux City and Waterloo have long been rivals as well, since they are both charter members of the USHL. Sioux City also has become a heated rival of the Lincoln Stars, due to close proximity along with the multiple years of meeting in the playoffs.
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| Another Look Inside the Tyson Events Center. |
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| Place to Eat Near the Tyson Events Center |
| There are multiple nice sit down restaurants to pick from in the immediate vicinity of the TEC. When you first exit the interstate, there is an IHOP, Perkins, and Chili's to choose from. There is also a Hardees and Arby's just down the road from IHOP if you're in in need for something quick. If you're into BBQ, there is a Famous Dave's literally within a few feet of the TEC.
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| A look at the locker room. |
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Feedback |
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at JaskulaR@aol.com and I'll update the guide.
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Copyright © Rob Jaskula
2007-08.
All rights reserved.
Last Revised: February 14, 2008
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