Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

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Phoenix Roadrunners 1993-94 Collectors Card Set

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The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum was affectionately known as “The Mad House on McDowell” and featured a saddle-shaped roof. It was a part of the 1960’s era arenas that appeared in the western United States and led to the growth of basketball and hockey in the west. Of course, the Coliseum was mainly known for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA from 1968 to 1992.

It was also where a whole new generation of hockey fans cut their teeth watching the Phoenix Roadrunners of the WHL. Sandy Hucul’s teams thrilled crowds from 1967 to 1974. Of course, after all of that success, the ‘Runners jumped up to the WHA from 1974 to 1977. When regional rivals Denver and San Diego dropped out the WHA ‘Runners folded too. Quickly, the PHL was formed in 1978 and the ‘Runners lived on. As it would stand, most teams weren’t as solid as Phoenix and the PHL folded in 1979 (crowning the ‘Runners champs without staging any playoffs). Sadly, with no more regional rivals, Phoenix hockey went dormant until IHL Roadrunners joined 1989 to 1997. This led the way to the IHL gaining several western teams and growing to be the top minor league circuit most of the 1990’s.

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Tenants

The NBA Phoenix Suns. Phoenix Roadrunners of the WHL/WHA/PHL/IHL and the Phoenix Mustangs of the WCHL from 1997 to 2001. The Phoenix Inferno (also known as the Phoenix Pride) of the MISL from 1980 to 1984. The Arizona Thunder of the World Indoor Soccer League from 1998 to 2000. World Team Tennis (WTT) had a successful unisex franchise, the Phoenix Racquets from 1975 to 1978.

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Related Links

– PART 1 Phoenix Roadrunners 67-68, 72-73 season
– Phoenix Roadrunners
– Phoenix is a Hockey Town
– Long-time minor league hockey team thrilled fans with intimate setting and clean family fun
– Alvan Adams (33pts) vs. Celtics (1976 Finals)
– MISL St. Louis Steamers at Phoenix Pride 12-29-83
– Wikipedia Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum