Scope Arena (1971-Present)

Kevin Geisert, SMC Research Librarian. March 2024

Scope Arena is a multi-purpose coliseum located in downtown Norfolk, Virginia at 201 East Brambleton Avenue. Its unique name can be traced to the Greek word “kaleidoscope.”[1] Made of concrete and built in the shape of a dome, it has been one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks for over fifty years. Pier Luigi Nervi, a preeminent Italian architect, collaborated on the design with local firm Williams & Tazewell.[2] Construction of Norfolk Scope, a complex that includes the arena, Chrysler Hall (theater), an exhibit hall, meeting room facilities, and a parking garage, took more than three years to finish. Beginning in June 1968, crews from the Daniel Construction Company worked to make this cultural and convention center a reality. The total price tag came to around $30 million. By November 1971, Scope Arena was ready to host public events. Maximum capacity ranged from 9,400 to 11,800 depending on the type of event (current capacity is 12,500). Scope played a major role in Norfolk’s massive undertaking to revitalize the downtown area. This controversial revitalization project began during the administration of former Mayor William Frederick Duckworth (1950-1962, see local wiki: Mayor William Frederick Duckworth).[3]

From the outset, Scope Arena routinely hosted basketball and ice hockey games. Norfolk was briefly the home of a professional basketball team known as the Virginia Squires (see local wiki: Virginia Squires) from 1970-1976. They played as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and split home games between Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, and Roanoke. The Squires welcomed ABA foes to Scope Arena, which served as their home court in Norfolk. Less than two weeks after the new venue opened, Squires fans came out to Scope for an ABA matchup against the Carolina Cougars. A franchise record 10,015 fans attended the debut on Tuesday, November 23, 1971. Despite this near sellout, they suffered a fifth consecutive home loss by a score of 102-98.[4] The Squires played five seasons at Scope, but financial insolvency forced them to fold in 1976 just before the NBA-ABA merger.[5] The Norfolk Admirals, a minor league professional ice hockey team, (originally known as the Hampton Roads Admirals, see local wiki: Norfolk Admirals) debuted at Scope in 1989 and continue to entertain local fans there today.[6] A crowd of 5,602 turned out for their very first game, which took place on Friday, October 27, 1989. The Virginia Lancers spoiled Opening Night with a 6-3 win over Hampton Roads.[7] March Madness also brings excitement to Scope every year (since 2013) when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Basketball Tournament (conference with Norfolk State) takes place.[8]

Sports has become a Norfolk tradition at Scope between October and April, but one appealing feature is its flexibility. The arena hosts a wide variety of events every year. Following three long years of construction, Norfolk marked the occasion with an elaborate celebration. More than eight thousand people filed into Scope for the Grand Opening on Friday, November 12, 1971. Among the dignitaries who attended were Governor Linwood Holton, Norfolk Mayor Roy B. Martin, and U. S. House Representative G. William Whitehurst. In his remarks, Governor Holton lauded the building's accomplishment. Calling Scope a “jewel in Norfolk’s crown,” he offered it as proof that city leaders sought to enact a forward-looking agenda. The evening’s main event was a pageant appropriately titled “Spirit of America” performed by the Third Infantry Division. As America neared the bicentennial, this magnificent production commemorated U.S. history through reenactment. Characters brought to life some pivotal scenes from the past two hundred years in front of a delighted crowd. Highlights of the show included Patrick Henry’s memorable speech, the Civil War, and westward expansion. And then in a stirring finale, fireworks filled the night sky in downtown Norfolk for everyone to enjoy.[9]

Throughout the years, entertainers have thrilled crowds in the downtown Norfolk coliseum. One memorable episode occurred in March 1980 when Barnum & Bailey Circus performed a series of shows during a record snowstorm. As snow accumulated on city streets, Norfolk established a curfew for the evening, which compelled the 2,300 residents already inside for an afternoon program to remain there overnight.[10] Music enthusiasts eagerly await the Scope concert schedule every year so they can see their favorite musicians and groups in live action. Elvis Presley, the Eagles, and Aerosmith are just a few of the artists who have played there. On Sunday, July 20, 1975, Elvis sang for a couple sold-out crowds. More than 22,000 fans attended the two concerts. It was such a hot ticket that even scalpers made a handsome profit. The Eagles received a similar reception during their concert in November 1979. Singing hits like “Hotel California,” the Eagles satisfied a packed house of cheering spectators. People also crowded into Scope when Aerosmith put on a show with REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent. That concert took place in September 1975.[11] The historic venue has hosted comedy acts and other types of shows to satisfy customer demand as well. In the past fifty years, many highly attended events have taken place at Scope Arena. Memories have been made there and that will continue for the foreseeable future.

Sources:

1. “Norfolk Scope,” New Norfolk, July 1970, p. 71.

2. Ken Wheeler, “Nervi Terms Scope ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Magnificent,’: Italian Designer Finds Quality Standard High,” The Virginian- Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), August 20, 1970, p. C1.

3. New Norfolk, p. 71;

“Norfolk Scope,” Wikipedia, accessed February 14, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Scope;

Wheeler, p. C1;

“Facilities: Norfolk Scope Arena,” The City of Norfolk, accessed February 22, 2024, https://www.norfolk.gov/facilities/facility/details/norfolk-scope-arena-111.

4. Frank Vehorn, “Squires Debut Bowing,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 24, 1971, p. B4-B5;

“10,015 Fans Enjoyed Scope,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 24, 1971, p. B5.

5. Mike Littwin, “League Folds Squires; Debt-Paying Try Fails,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), May 11, 1976, p. A1 and A3;

Sam Goldwater, “Pro Basketball Leagues Merge;

New York to Return Two Teams,” The New York Times (New York, NY), June 18, 1976, p. A1 and A19.

6. “Norfolk Scope,” Seven Venues, accessed February 15, 2024, https://www.sevenvenues".com/venues/detail/scope-arena.

7. Dave Lewis, “5,602 See Admirals Win Opener, 6-3,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), October 28, 1989, p. C1 and C5.

8. Seven Venues;

“MEAC Men’s Basketball Tournament,” Wikipedia, accessed February 20, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEAC_men%27s_basketball_tournament;

Harry Minium, “The MEAC’s Finest: NSU Puts a Cherry on Top of Its Undefeated League Season with Two Individual Honors,”

The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), March 11, 2013, p. Sports 1 and Sports 4.

9. Gary Dalton, “Scope Opens—And So Does an Era: City’s Star in Orbit", The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971,

p. A1 and A4;

Tom Laughlin, “Glittering ‘Jewel’ of Norfolk Opens,” Norfolk Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A1 and A4;

Tom Laughlin, “After Four Agonizing Years—Up Scope!” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 12, 1971, p. A1 and A4;

Tom Laughlin, “U.S. Army Shines at Scope,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A11.

10. “Special Events,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), March 2, 1980, p. F6;

“A Look Back at the Circus Blizzard of 1980,” 13 News Now, Evan Stewart and Christopher Collette, accessed March 5, 2024.

https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/history/circus-blizzard-of-1980-norfolk/291-22b8c8f6-65d3-498b- ac4d4186df46da2f#:~:text=NORFOLK%2C%20Va.,Norfolk%2C%20the%20most% 20since%201892.

11. Carol Herwig, “The Eagles—Professional, But Excitement’s Missing," The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 8, 1979, p. B6;

Mal Vincent, “Elvis, the Eternal Star,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), July 21, 1975, p. A1 and A4;

"Record Weekend for Scope Gate,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), July 22, 1975, p. B3;

Sean Brickell, “A Capacity Crowd,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), September 29, 1975, p. A13.

Street Address: 201 East Brambleton Avenue

Name (Original): Scope Arena

Name (Also Known As): Scope, Norfolk Scope Arena

Architect: Pier Luigi Nervi and Norfolk Firm (Williams & Tazewell)

Contractor: Daniel Construction Company

Architectural Style: Dome

Cost (Original): Approximately $30 Million

Construction Date: June 6, 1968-November 1971

Opening Date: November 12, 1971

Demolition Date: Still Standing

GPS: 36.85222, -76.28621

Sources:

1) Primary Sources:

1. Books and Pamphlets:

▪ The Scope Source Book: A Compilation of Existing Studies and Data.

Norfolk, Virginia: Center for Metropolitan Studies, Old Dominion University, 1970.

City Directories (Selected):

▪ 1975 Norfolk City Directory (Norfolk, Virginia), 472.

▪ 1986 Norfolk City Directory (Norfolk, Virginia), 584.

▪ 1994 Norfolk City Directory (Norfolk, Virginia), 302.

▪ 2022 Norfolk City Directory (Norfolk, Virginia), 478.

2. Documents/Collections:

▪ Bill Miner Collection on Norfolk Planning and Development, circa 1960-2009, MSS 0000-033, Sargeant Memorial Collection,

Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

▪ Cultural and Convention Center, Norfolk, Virginia, Construction Plans, 1966, RG 08/0000-001, Sargeant Memorial Collection,

Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

▪ Sargeant Memorial Collection Ephemera Collection, 1682-2016, MSS- 0000-NEC, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library,

Norfolk, Virginia.

3. Newspapers/Magazines/Journals (Selected):

1970

▪ “Norfolk Scope.” New Norfolk, July 1970, p. 71-73.

▪ Wheeler, Ken. “Nervi Terms Scope ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Magnificent’: Italian Designer Quality Standard High.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), August 20, 1970, p. C1.

1971

▪ “Scope Operating Team Shaping Up.” Norfolk Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), March 15, 1971, p. B1.

▪ Dalton, Gary. “Army Pageant to Open Scope.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), September 11, 1971, p. B1 and B3.

▪ “Nervi to Visit Scope.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), October 21, 1971, p. C1.

▪ Laughlin, Tom. “After Four Agonizing Years—Up Scope!” Norfolk Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), November 12, 1971, p. A1 and A4.

▪ Laughlin, Tom. “Glittering ‘Jewel’ of Norfolk Opens.” Norfolk Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A1 and A4.

▪ Laughlin, Tom. “U.S. Army Shines at Scope.” Norfolk Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A11.

▪ Dalton, Gary. “Scope Opens—and So Does an Era: City’s Star in Orbit." The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A1 and A4.

▪ “Even the Weather Joined in the Scope of Things.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A6.

▪ Hubbard, Clifford. “A Coliseum for Thousands…Backstage the Work Goes On.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia),

November 13, 1971, p. A8.

▪ Pruitt, John. “With Hardly a Snarl in Traffic or Demeanor.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A8.

▪ Vincent, Mal. “And ‘Spirit of America’ Inaugurates Scope: A Masterpiece of Showmanship.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 13, 1971, p. A9.

▪ “10,015 Fans Enjoyed Scope.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 24, 1971, p. B5.

▪ Vehorn, Frank. “Squires Debut Bowing.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 24, 1971, p. B4-B5.

▪ Vehorn, Frank. “Erving, Scott Lift Squires.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 28, 1971, p. E1 and E12.

1975

▪ Bonko, Larry. Norfolk Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), April 18, 1975, p. B1.

▪ Vincent, Mal. “Elvis, the Eternal Star.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), July 21, 1975, p. A1 and A4.

▪ “Record Weekend for Scope Gate.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), July 22, 1975, p. B3.

▪ Brickell, Sean. “A Capacity Crowd.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), September 29, 1975, p. A13.

1976

▪ Littwin, Mike. “League Folds Squires; Debt-Paying Try Fails.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), May 11, 1976, p. A1 and A3.

▪ Goldwater, Sam. “Pro Basketball Leagues Merge; New York to Return Two Teams.” The New York Times (New York, NY), June 18, 1976, p. A1 and A19.

1979

▪ Herwig, Carol. “The Eagles—Professional, But Excitement’s Missing." The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), November 8, 1979, p. B6.

1980

▪ “Special Events.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), March 2, 1980, p. F6.

1989

▪ Lewis, Dave. “5,602 See Admirals Win Opener, 6-3.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), October 28, 1989, p. C1 and C5.

2013

▪ Minium, Harry. “The MEAC’s Finest: NSU Puts a Cherry on Top of Its Undefeated League Season with Two Individual Honors.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), March 11, 2013, p. Sports 1 and Sports 4.

2023

▪ Kendall, Kelsey. “Patriotic Fest Unites Military, Community.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), May 29, 2023, p. 3A.

4. Photographs/Images:

▪ Folder: “Brambleton Avenue.” Carroll Walker Photograph Collection, MSS 0000-243, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

▪ Folders: “Brambleton Avenue I-III.” Sargeant Memorial Collection Main Photograph Collection, MSS 0000-MPC, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

▪ Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Photograph Collection, RG 06/0000-001, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library,

Norfolk, Virginia.

▪ Sargeant Memorial Collection Map Collection, MSS 0000-NMP. “Aerial Photograph of Downtown Norfolk. Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

2) Secondary Sources:

1. Books and Pamphlets:

▪ Wells, John E. and Robert E. Dalton. The Virginia Architects 1835-1955: A Biographical Dictionary. New South Architectural Press, 1997, p. 481.

2. Documents/Collections:

▪ Folders: “Norfolk-Buildings: Scope I-IV.” Sargeant Memorial Collection Norfolk Clippings Files, MSS 0000-NCF, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

▪ Sargeant Memorial Collection Card Catalog. Legacy Subject: “Norfolk. Buildings. Coliseum.”

▪ The Virginian-Pilot Index Cards, MSS 2020-005. Subject: 1947-1980: “Scope.”

▪ The Virginian-Pilot Index Cards, MSS 2020-005. Subject: 1990: “Scope.”

3. Websites:

▪ 13 News Now. Stewart, Evan and Christopher Collette. “A Look Back at the Circus Blizzard of 1980.” Accessed March 5, 2023.

https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/history/circus-blizzard-of-1980-norfolk/291-22b8c8f6-65d3-498b-ac4d 4186df46da2f#:~:text=NORFOLK%2C%20Va.,Norfolk%2C%20the%20most%20sin ce%201892.

▪ City of Norfolk. “Facilities: Norfolk Scope Arena.” Accessed February 22, 2024.

https://www.norfolk.gov/facilities/facility/details/norfolk-scope-arena-111.

▪ Seven Venues. “The Big Dome.” Accessed February 16, 2024. The-Big-Dome-Spotlight-News-Hampton-Roads-53d981d153.pdf (sevenvenues.com).

▪ Seven Venues. “Scope Arena.” Accessed February 15, 2024. https://www.sevenvenues.com/venues/detail/scope-arena.

▪ Wikipedia. “MEAC Men’s Basketball Tournament." Accessed February 20, 2024.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEAC_men%27s_basketball_tournament.

▪ Wikipedia. “Norfolk Scope.” Accessed February 14, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Scope.