Students, alumni, faculty, staff and other fans shuffled out of the center buzzing with excitement. History junior Chris Irvin said there should have been more of a turnout with UTA being on a winning streak, but the crowd had more energy than the games at Texas hall.

“Seeing everyone come together was the best thing,” he said. “It’s a great day to be a Maverick.”

As students left, they said there was little they did not enjoy about the center. Nursing sophomore Dominique Cormier said her favorite part of the center was the energy from the crowd, and that the center would help with building school spirit.

Mechanical engineering sophomore Stephen Verastigui said that his favorite thing about the center was how loud it was.

“It’s just like going to a Dallas Mavericks game,” he said.

Biochemistry freshman Megan Bhatti said she was shocked at the finished product.

“I did not think it would come out this great,” she said.

Arlington residents Jerry and Barbara Tucker said they drive by the center every day and were excited that it was finally open. They said their first appraisal of the center was that it is beautiful.

Alumna Angela Jackson said she was proud that UTA built the center.

A sense of maverick pride was a common theme among fans and students in the crowd. Biology junior Ineida Cruz said she thinks the center is going to make people want to come to UTA.

“I feel so proud and excited to be a Maverick! We deserve this,” said Cruz.

Merrick Smith, senior forward Lamarcus Reed’s brother, said the atmosphere is his favorite thing about the center. He said it hardly compares to the games at Texas Hall.

“It’s just like it was advertised. Everybody’s hyped, it feels like an NBA game,” said Smith.