Cameron Hall (arena)
Cameron Hall is a 5,029–seat multi-purpose arena in Lexington, Virginia. It was built in 1981 and is home to the Virginia Military Institute Keydets basketball team. Although mainly used for basketball, the arena also holds VMI's commencement every May, as well as other large-scale events. It was named after brothers Bruce and Daniel Cameron, VMI Class of 1938 and 1942, respectively. History. Built in 1981, Cameron Hall was named after brothers Bruce B. Cameron, Jr. and Daniel D. Cameron from Wilmington, North Carolina. The Cameron brothers were both graduates of the school, as  Bruce graduated in 1938 and Daniel in 1942. They paid for $2.3 million of the building's $6.8 million cost, with a supplementation from the Virginia General Assembly. The other funds were paid for by the VMI Foundation. For their contributions, the Cameron brothers were given life passes to all Cameron Hall events by VMI Board of Visitors president Vincent J. Thomas. The first game was played on December 5, 1981, between VMI and the Virginia Cavaliers. Virginia won the game 76–49 before 4,460 fans, which is currently the fifth-largest crowd in the arena's history. The  venue seats 5,029 spectators for basketball, and 4,300 for plays and concerts. It went largely untouched until 1995, when it received an extensive face lift that included repainted walls and portals, new railings, and a new floor color scheme. Locker rooms were also renovated, with new carpeting, paint, and a lounge. Four years later in 1999, a VMI "Wall of Fame" was added to the mezzanine level, which features photographs and trophies as a tribute to former VMI basketball players and members of the VMI Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, VMI installed a new court donated by Ralph Costen , a 1970 graduate of the school. It was the first new floor since the 1995 renovation, and was appropriately named "Costen Court". Features. Cameron Hall serves as host to the VMI athletic department offices, and contains a library, reception area, and five racquetball courts open to cadets in the basement level. Recently, electronic side screens were added on the sidelines, as well as a "VMI Keydets" moniker that runs along either baseline under the basket. There are concessions on both ends of the arena. In July 2013, Cameron Hall was ranked among the top venues in mid-major basketball by  MidMajorMadness.com.