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The Thomas Assembly Center has been home to the Louisiana Tech Bulldog and Lady Techster basketball teams since it opened in November of 1982.
It has also served as the home arena for the Lady Techster volleyball program since the program's inception in 1987.
The 8,000-seat Thomas Assembly Center received a new state-of-the-art Maplewood floor in the summer of 2007 thanks to the generous donation of Bulldog legend Karl Malone. Aptly named the Karl Malone Court, the hardwood is made of the same material that all NBA practice facilities boast.
The Thomas Assembly Center recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary and has continually proven to be one of the toughest arenas in the country for opposing collegiate basketball teams to play in on both the men's and women's sides.
The nationally-renowned Lady Techster basketball program has dominated their opposition for the past two-and-a-half decades in the Thomas Assembly Center, winning an amazing 92 percent of their games while posting a mark of 360-26 - a won-loss record unmatched by any other women's basketball program nationwide.
It has been home to 25 NCAA Tournament teams, the 1988 National Champion, 16 Kodak All-Americans and the winningest coach in the history of the game in Hall of Famer Leon Barmore.
During the course of the program's history in the TAC, the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters have put together some incredible winning streaks including:
- winning 161 straight games vs. unranked opponents (starting with a 79-66 win over Western Kentucky in 1991-92 and ending with a 71-65 overtime loss to Illinois in 2004-05)
- winning 114 straight regular season conference games (starting with a 79-66 win over Western Kentucky in 1991-92 and ending with a 68-47 loss to Boise State in 2006-07)
The Lady Techsters have also boasted some of the top attendance numbers in the nation during their times, including 15 crowds of more than 7,000 and eight crowds of more than 8,000. On numerous occasions the Lady Techsters have ranked among the nation's Top 40 in home attendance, including a program record 5,330 in 1982-83.
Both the Lady Techsters and Bulldogs played before a Thomas Assembly Center record 8,975 fans in a double header sweep of I-20 rival UL-Monroe (formerly Northeast Louisiana) on Jan. 22, 1985.
The Lady Techsters have posted 13 perfect seasons in the Thomas Assembly Center, and won a program record 19 home games in 1988-89. Tech is 36-0 all-time at the TAC in NCAA Tournament games.
However, the Lady Techsters aren't the only program to have dominated in the Assembly Center as the Bulldog basketball team has had its share of winning tradition at home.
Since 1982, numerous Bulldog basketball teams have seen success on the hardwood from Andy Russo's early-1980s Dunkin Dawgs featuring NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone all the way through the new millennium under current head coach Michael White.
Tech has posted a remarkable 294-93 mark in the Thomas Assembly Center for an impressive winning percentage of 76.0 after posting a 14-0 mark during the 2012-13 season, the sixth perfect season in the TAC. Tech has recorded 28 winning seasons at home since 1982.
NBA greats such as Malone, P.J. Brown, Randy White and Paul Millsap have all called the Thomas Assembly Center home during their collegiate careers.
The Mailman led Louisiana Tech to a Top 10 national ranking in 1984-85 when the Bulldogs posted a 29-3 mark, including a perfect 14-0 at the Thomas Assembly Center, and a spot in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
After losing their first ever home game at the Assembly Center, Tech reeled off 40 straight wins covering three seasons as Malone and Co. dominated the Southland Conference on its way to three straight league titles.
Malone, White and Brown all took their turn leading the Bulldogs to eight straight 20-plus win seasons (1983-1992) and national postseason appearances including five NCAA Tournaments and three WNIT appearances.
A decade later Bulldog fans were privileged enough to watch Paul Millsap win three straight NCAA rebounding titles, the first player in Division I history to accomplish this feat. Millsap also led Tech to the 2006 NIT.
And just this past season, the 'Dogs cracked into the AP Top 25 poll at No. 25 for the first time in 28 years, compiling a 27-7 record and advancing to the second round of the 2013 NIT.
The Bulldogs are 3-0 in national postseason games at the Thomas Assembly Center with NIT wins in 1985-86 (defeated McNeese 77-61) and in 2001-02 (defeated UL-Lafayette 83-63 and Vanderbilt 83-68).
The Lady Techster volleyball team has also called the Assembly Center home since 1987 as Tech has played nearly every season in the Thomas Assembly Center. The TAC has seen the Lady Techsters go on to seven separate winning seasons including a school best 29-10 season in 1992.
Now entering its third decade, the Techster volleyball program is led by Adriano de Souza.
Lady Techster legends such as Katie Dow Kahmann, Jamie Shanks, Courtney Ziegenbien, Sharla Richardson and even more recently in Christinne Sant'anna and Shannon Phillips have all called the Thomas Assembly Center home for their college careers.
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Accessibility |
Handicapped accessible areas are available around the inner concourse of the arena with companion seats available for guests. Handicapped accessible parking is located on the west side of the arena (opposite main entrance).
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Alcohol |
Alcoholic beverages at the Thomas Assembly Center are prohibited by state law.
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Concessions |
Concessions are located in four convenient areas around the arena's concourse with a full line of snack foods available.
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Directions |
From the West on I-20
Take I-20 east to Exit 84 (Ruston). At the end of exit ramp, turn right (south). The arena will be less than a mile ahead on the right.
From the East on I-20
Take I-20 west to Exit 84 (Ruston). At the end of exit ramp, turn left (south). The arena will be less than a mile ahead on the right.
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First Aid |
First aid is available for fans at the Thomas Assembly Center and is located near the main (East) entrance to the arena on the concourse level.
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(Outside) Food & Drink |
Ice chests and/or coolers are not permitted inside the arena at any time as well as any outside food or drink.
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Lost and Found |
Lost and found is located at the first aid stations on either side of the stadium. Lost items should be turned in and can be claimed in the two locations. Following games, items will be taken to the Tech Athletics Facilities Office located in the Thomas Assembly Center.
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Prohibited Items |
Please be aware of the following items that are not allowed within the gates of Independence Stadium:
 No Outside Food or Drink
No Ice Chests or Coolers
No Umbrellas
No Laser Pointers/Lights
No Video Cameras
No Oversize Bags
All Bags are Subject to Search
No Weapons, including Pocket Knives or Pocket Tools (Swiss Army Knives, etc.)
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Public Address System |
Public address system is for official use only. No special announcements will be made over the PA system. Emergency situations can be reported to the security personnel at the entrance to the press box located on the west side of the stadium, and an announcement will be made if needed.
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Restrooms |
Restrooms are located on both the north and south ends of the arena on the concourse level.
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Seating Chart |
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Tickets |
Individual game and season tickets are available for Louisiana Tech men's and women's basketball games based upon availability. For more information or to purchase basketball tickets, please contact the LA Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631, email TechTickets@LATech.edu or visit the LA Tech Ticket Office webpage. You can also stop by the LA Tech Ticket Office (located on the east side of the Thomas Assembly Center) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The LA Tech Ticket Office is also open on game day for advance sales.
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Tobacco Policy |
Current Louisiana State Laws prohibit smoking inside the Thomas Assembly Center. Anyone who wishes to smoke will be allowed to exit the arena and return with a valid used ticket. Smoking is prohibited inside the stadium and within 25 feet of any gate. This will be enforced by security and police. PA announcer will make periodic announcements and this information will be included in all pre-game announcements.
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Ushers and Security |
Ushers and security personnel are located at various areas within the arena.
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Will Call |
The Louisiana Tech Box Office and Will Call will open five hours prior to kickoff. Will Call will be located on the East side of the Thomas Assembly Center.
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