KCAC gains national recognition through Venues Today

Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex was ranked fourth in the 2012 University Top Stops for venues by Venues Today magazine.

“The venue’s ranking should bring a sense of pride to IUP’s staff and students,” said KCAC Director of Marketing Katie Mikos.

“The Kovalchick Complex has been a joint venture meant to benefit both the community and university. We feel that this prestigious recognition is the mark of a job well done.”

The Global Spectrum-managed KCAC ranked number four among venues with a capacity of 2,001-5,000. 

According to a 2012 news release, the ranking was compiled based on capacity, total gross sales, total attendance and number of shows in 2012.

To continue to achieve excellence, Mikos said KCAC staff will “continue to bring in quality entertainment that service both the community and university demographics.”  

The youngest of IUP’s facilities, the KCAC boasts many successful shows such as Eric Church, Wiz Khalifa and the Harlem Globetrotters. 

Its 23,000-plus square feet of space is home to Crimson Hawks basketball and volleyball. 

Its Ed Fry Arena seats 5,000 and its Toretti Auditorium seats 650. 

Partially determining the KCAC’s ranking was its number of successful shows including Dierks Bentley, Toughest Monster Truck Tour, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney Live, BOB and B.E. Taylor Christmas Concert.

Global Spectrum general manager Jim Grafstrom described the KCAC’s ranking as one of the Top 5 Stops for University Venues of its size as a “tremendous accomplishment” in the news release. 

“It [the KCAC’s ranking] serves as a true testament to the incredible amount of effort by Global Spectrum in cooperation with the IUP administration and finance operations team.”

Mikos said the KCAC’s success is no surprise due to the hard work of Global Spectrum and the university since its opening in March 2011.

Excited about the rankings, IUP assistant vice president for administration and KCAC contract administrator Sam Phillips said, in the news release, the complex has brought “first-rate quality entertainment to Indiana” since its opening.

“We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with Global Spectrum as we strive to maintain and exceed our standing as a premier entertainment destination in western Pennsylvania,” Phillips said.

Global Spectrum has more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world, according to the news release. 

Nearly 20 million people attended more than 11,000 events in Global Spectrum venues in 2011. 

Based in Philadelphia, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies.