By FightingIllini.com

The University of Illinois has named IAVM member John Marquardt as the Associate Athletic Director/Director of the State Farm Center, removing the interim title he has carried since last fall.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of John Marquardt’s skill set and experience already on the State Farm Center staff,” said Marty Kaufmann, Executive Senior Athletic Director for Revenue and Fan Experience. “John knows the Central Illinois and UI campus community extremely well and has a pulse on the types of shows and entertainment the facility can best host. As concerts and shows start the return to normal scheduling, we are looking forward to robust offerings in the future, including many that are popular with our student body.”

Marquardt’s primary role is to facilitate the overall management of the 15,000-plus seat State Farm Center daily operations and events, including concerts, sporting events, and other shows and events. Marquardt is responsible for the general administration of the State Farm Center, and serves as a primary liaison for the facility to a diverse number of campus, community, and national constituents and clients. As part of a joint partnership with the University of Illinois Division of Student Affairs, Marquardt and the State Farm Center team work to develop a diverse variety of programming and collaborative partnerships to the University of Illinois student community, including concerts with the Star Course student concert committee and the annual Spring Jam concert on the Illinois Main Quad.

“For decades, State Farm Center has served as an iconic gathering place for the University of Illinois and Champaign-Urbana communities,” Marquardt said. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with our State Farm Center and Fighting Illini colleagues to continue the tradition of making State Farm Center home for many memorable sports and entertainment experiences for our University and community as we bounce back from time spent apart during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Marquardt becomes the fifth full-time director of the historic building following Tom Parkinson (1963-87), Wayne Hecht (1987-93), Xen Riggs (1993-97) and Kevin Ullestad (1997-2020).

A native of Urbana, Marquardt joined State Farm Center and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics as an event management intern in 2005 before serving as Event and Safety Coordinator for State Farm Center beginning in 2007. He was named Assistant Director for Event Management at State Farm Center in 2015, and promoted to Associate Director of State Farm Center in 2017.

Marquardt earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 2006. He completed his master’s degree in sport management from Illinois in 2010, and his Master of Business Administration from the UI Gies College of Business in 2019. Marquardt is an active member of the International Association Venue Managers, where he is a graduate of Venue Management School (2013) and has earned his Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation (2016).

By R.V. Baugus

October 24, 2021, marked the 50th anniversary of when the old Texas Stadium home to the Dallas Cowboys opened for business. Prior to the official opening in 1971, as a 15-year-old lad I along with my friends from Oak Crest Baptist Church hopped in our rickety church bus for the drive across town from Pleasant Grove to Irving for a pre-opening event — a Billy Graham Crusade. We sat literally on the top row of this gorgeous and shiny new building that in ways resembled a space ship reach to launch. It was an unforgettable evening even after all these years, not to mention the fun we had singing Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World” on the bus trip back home.

And so, with ample help from Jan Sheehan from Tucker Public Relations and long after the iconic stadium’s implosion in 2010, this still remembered and recognized venue throughout Texas, the U.S., and the world, lives on even as the land now prepares for the build of Grand Homes and a retail district.

Built in 1971 at a cost of $35 million dollars, it set the standard for future stadiums as the first where fans paid for its construction by purchasing bonds (today’s equivalent of personal seat licenses).

The Cowboys played at Texas Stadium for 37 years, amassing a 219–99 record, including 16 post-season games. Of course, it was also the setting for major motion pictures, iconic TV commercials, college and high school football games, concerts and many other special events.

Irving, home to this iconic showplace for running backs and rock stars is celebrating with “50 for 50” – a list of memorable moments at the stadium. See below in case you can use some of them for a story or quick mention.

And the Irving Archives and Museum features a special Texas Stadium exhibit, complete with a multi-media stadium history featuring NFL game footage, archival photos, memorabilia, and even original lockers and stadium seats.

Enjoy (well, I suppose only if you are a Dallas Cowboys’ fan)!

Oct 24, 1971
Texas Stadium hosts first football game as the Dallas Cowboys move from the Cotton Bowl to the new stadium and defeat the New England Patriots, 44-21

Jan 2, 1972
The Cowboys win the first postseason game ever played at Texas Stadium, a 14-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Dallas would go on to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.

1972-75, 80-81
Home of the Dallas Tornado (North American Soccer League)

Jan. 21, 1973
Hosts the NFL Pro Bowl (O.J. Simpson named game MVP)

June 28, 1974
Brothers and Sisters Tour
(The Allman Brothers Band/Joe Walsh and Barnstorm/Marshall Tucker Band/Molly Hatchet)

July 31, 1974
Crosby Stills Nash and Young/The Beach Boys Concert

Nov 28, 1974
With quarterback Roger Staubach knocked out of the game with a concussion, rookie Clint Longley takes the Cowboys to a 24-23 Thanksgiving Day victory over rival Washington with a 50-yard game winning TD pass to Drew Pearson with 35 seconds to play.

1975-77, 1983-2008
AMA Supercross

Nov 23, 1975
Created by Cowboys president/general manager Tex Schramm, the Cowboys Ring of Honor is unveiled at Texas Stadium with Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bob Lilly the first person inducted.

1979
“Hey Kid, Catch!” This Coca-Cola commercial, starring NFL Hall of Famer Joe Greene, and filmed at Texas Stadium, is considered one of the greatest TV commercials of all time. The former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle tosses his jersey to a kid, drinks a Coke, and the rest is history.

Dec 16, 1979
In arguably the most exciting game ever played at Texas Stadium, Quarterback Roger Staubach rallies the Cowboys from a 13-point deficit in the final two minutes of the game. In the final minute of the game, Staubach finds wide receiver Tony Hill in the end zone for a game winning touchdown to clinch the NFC East title against rival Washington with a 35-34 win.

1979-1986
Home of the SMU Mustangs (NCAA)

March 31, 1980
Roger Staubach, “Captain America,” announces his retirement at an emotional Texas Stadium press conference.

1984-1988
World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW)

July 13-15, 1984
Michael Jackson/The Jacksons Victory Tour Concert

July 26, 1987
Madonna/Who’s That Girl Tour Concert

April 28, 1988
Pink Floyd/A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour Concert

Sept 17, 1988
INXS/Guns N’Roses/The Smithereens/Iggy Pop/Ziggy Marley Concert

Oct 14, 1988
George Michael/The Bangles Rock the House Concert

April 22, 1989
Tom Landry Appreciation Day/Kenny Loggins Performs

April 7, 1990
Paul McCartney Concert

August 19, 1990
New Kids On The Block/Perfect Gentleman/Rick Wes/Chris Pittman Concert

Nov 21, 1991
Hosts U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Costa Rica (soccer)

March 14, 1992
Farm Aid VI – Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and more

May 7-8, 1992
Genesis Concert

Sept 5, 1992
Metallica/ Guns N’Roses Concert

Oct 11, 1992
The Cowboys defense, nicknamed Doomsday II, held the Seattle Seahawks to 62 total yards. Dallas would go on to have the #1 ranked defense in the NFL on the way to winning the Super Bowl.

Oct 16, 1992
U2/The Sugarcubes/Public Enemy Concert

Sept 24-25, 1993
While filming a concert at Texas Stadium for an NBC special that would air the following year, Garth Brooks unleashed rings of fire, simulated lightning and rain and most unbelievably – flew by wires from the 200 foot high ceiling reinforced by the now famous “Garth Bars.” In all, 26 cameras recorded the spectacle during three evening shows attended by more than 200,000 screaming fans. This event still holds the record for attendance of a country music event by a single artist.

1994-1995
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) – Battle of the Bulls

Jan 14, 1994
The Cowboys defeat the San Francisco 49ers 38-21, in route to repeating as Super Bowlchamps. Dallas sends an NFL record 11 players to the Pro Bowl.

April 28-29, 1994
Pink Floyd Concert

July 3, 1994
Eagles/Melissa Ethridge Concert

April 2, 1995
Billy Joel/Elton John Concert

Jan 4, 1996
The Cowboys claim their 8th NFC Championship with a 38-27 win over the Green Bay Packers. Dallas would go on to win the franchise’s fifth and last Super Bowl title to date.

Nov 27, 1997
Reba McEntire electrified the Thanksgiving Day crowd as the inaugural halftime performer for the first Red Kettle kickoff for The Salvation Army.

June 6, 1998
George Strait/Tim McGraw/Faith Hill/Lee Ann Womack/John Michael Montgomery/Asleep At The Wheel/Lila McCann Concert

1999
The hit movie Any Given Sunday was filmed at Texas Stadium. Directed by Oliver Stone, the film’s ensemble cast featured Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, James Woods, LL Cool J and Ann-Margaret, and tells the story of the fictional professional football team the Miami Sharks. The Sharks’ team logo featured on the wall in the visitor’s locker room was signed by the director and cast and was moved to the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium in nearby Arlington.

Nov 14, 1999
Shania Twain Concert

July 9, 2000
Korn/System of a Down/Metallica/Kid Rock/Powerman 5000 Concert

April 9, 2001
An emotional Troy Aikman announces his retirement at a packed Texas Stadium press conference

July 8, 2001
NSYNC/Meredith Edwards/Eden’s Crush/Dante Thomas/Samantha Mumba

July 15, 2001
Dave Matthews Band/Angelique Kidjo/Wyclef Jean Concert

Dec. 1, 2001
Hosts NCAA Big XII Championship Game (Colorado defeats Texas, 39-37)

Oct 27, 2002
Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith breaks Walter Payton’s NFL career rushing record with an 11-yard run late in the game against the Seattle Seahawks. Smith remains the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with a total of 18,355 yards and was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

August 3, 2003
Metallica/Deftones/Limp Bizkit/Linkin Park/Mudvayne Concert

May 29, 2004
Jimmy Buffett/George Strait/Alan Jackson Concert

May 25, 2008
Hosts the First Ever Professional Lacrosse Game in Texas – Philadelphia Barrage vs. Long Island Lizards (MLL)

Dec. 20, 2008
Final Cowboys game at Texas Stadium (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

April 11, 2010
Texas Stadium – Last Tailgate Party: The early Sunday morning implosion of Texas Stadium was witnessed by more than 20,000 fans, and watched live by audiences around the world.

“Bonus” Fun Facts About Texas Stadium:

*All five of the Cowboys Super Bowl Championships were won while the Cowboys played at Texas Stadium: 1971 (VI), 1977 (XII), 1992 (XXVII), 1993 (XXVIII), 1995 (XXX).

*Before Texas Stadium officially opened in October 1971, it was the site of “The Greater Southwest Billy Graham Crusade.” The 10-day event began on September 17 and included performances by Johnny and June Cash and the Statler Brothers, and on-stage appearances by former President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife Lady Bird.

*D.D. Lewis, a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys from 1968 – 1981, may have been voted the “Most Popular Player” by the Dallas Cowboys fans the year he retired, but he will always be remembered for something he said in 1982 – “Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch his favorite team play.”

*From 1978 – 1991, Texas Stadium flashed on television screens around the world during the opening credits of the famous TV series Dallas, which chronicled the lives of the fictional Ewing clan. As a result, Texas Stadium is arguably one of the most recognized structures in Texas, the United States – and because of the global popularity of the show – even the world.

*Over 700 high school football games were played at the stadium.

By R.V. Baugus

We at IAVM only became recently aware of the passing of Richard Huff, who most recently served as Executive Director of the Irving Arts Board and the Irving Arts Center. Despite his passing in 2020, we wanted to share his obituary and to send belated condolences.

Richard Huff’s professional experience has included working at the local, state and national levels. He has gained a national reputation for his work in each of these arenas. As Director of the Cultural Activities Center in Temple, Texas (a community of 25,000) he was instrumental in raising the funds necessary to construct a new cultural center. As Director of the Dallas City Arts Program for seven years, he played a key role in the creation of the Dallas Arts District, the creation of the city’s first Cultural Policy and Plan, the establishment of the Neighborhood Cultural Center Program and the renovation of the Majestic Theater, a 1920’s elegant vaudeville and movie theater.

Mr. Huff has served as the Executive Director of two state arts agencies: The Texas Commission on the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. In Texas, Mr. Huff led the agency through times of political turmoil and changing values with respect to grant making. Under his direction, staff was reduced and efficiency was increased. With his guidance, a long-range plan was created and grants making processes and procedures were revised. Many of those revisions are still being utilized today. In Illinois, he also addressed the grant-making procedures to increase public accountability and reduce potential for conflict of interest. Mr. Huff reached out to the rural arts interest in Illinois, working with both the arts world and the rural development interests throughout the state.

As Director of the National Endowment of the Arts Locals Program, Mr. Huff was able to double the program’s budget, promote the value of community cultural planning and policy making. He encouraged rural constituents to become involved with the NEA’s Locals Program and was a member of the management group for President Bush’s Rural Development Initiative. He redesigned the Locals Program’s panel review procedures to ensure that specific criteria were established and followed. The new design also ensured that the panel meetings were open to constituents.

Mr. Huff was the President of Richard Huff & Associates, a consulting service that provided organizational planning, meeting facilitation and technical assistance to a wide variety of arts and cultural organizations. Clients have included the Ames International Orchestra Festival Association in Ames, Iowa; the Mid-America Arts Alliance in Kansas City; the Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies; the Assembly of Community Arts Councils of Oklahoma; the State of Louisiana Division of the Arts; the Marshall Regional Arts Council in Marshall, Texas; the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley in College Station, Texas; the Texas Alliance for Education and the Arts; the Branson Arts Council in Branson, Missouri; the Calcasieu Arts and Humanities Council in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Slidell Little Theater in Slidell, Louisiana; the New Iberia Arts Commission in New Iberia, Louisiana; the Cross Timbers Regional Arts Council in Stephenville, Texas; the Association of American Cultures in San Antonio, Texas; and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

• Since August 1, 1995, Mr. Huff has been Executive Director of the Irving Arts Board and the Irving Arts Center. The Center has a budget of $5 million dollars annually and is home to 11 Resident Art Organizations. The six-acre campus includes a facility with more than 91,500 square feet of performing and visual arts space, including the 707-seat Carpenter Performance Hall and the 253-seat Dupree Theater.

• In 2007 the Irving Arts Center was named an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

• The Arts Center’s four gallery spaces have housed notable exhibitions from local, regional and national artists, including:
– 200 Years of African American Art: The Arthur Primas Collection
– Within the Emperor’s Garden: The Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion – A Smithsonian exhibition
– Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts -A retrospective of the first 40 years of the company.

• In 2011, the Arts Center welcomed the international tour of Genghis Khan: The Exhibition. The multi-media exhibition brought with it the largest number of artifacts from 13th century Mongolia ever gathered in a single showing. During the four month exhibition, over 50,000 people attended, including 12,682 students. Visitors came from 49 states and the District of Columbia and represented over 2,303 zip codes, pushing annual IAC attendance up to 162,831.

• In 2014, the Arts Center partnered with National Geographic Museum in Washington D.C. to present “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed.” Irving and Washington are the only locations for the exhibition which showcases pre-Inca splendors from the royal tombs of Peru.

• The Sculpture Garden was completed during Huff’s tenure and features commissioned sculptures by James Surls, Jesús Moroles and Michael Manjarris; the monumental mosaic Irving Centennial Mural created by artist Francisco Mendoza with Irving youths; and ’03 Politicized Democracy by John Brough Miller. The Sculpture Garden also features rotating sculptures by Texas and national artists, including a sculpture by American artist Reuben Nakian, on loan from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Huff graduated from Wichita State University with a B.A. in Speech and Drama with a minor in Business and received an M.A. from the University of Denver in Technical Theater (Set and Light Design). He also attended the University of Texas for Post-Graduate studies in Arts Management. He was an Adjunct Professor for the Community Arts Management Graduate Program at University of Illinois at Springfield in Springfield, Illinois, an Adjunct Professor for the Arts Management Program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and a guest lecturer to the Arts Management Graduate Program at Columbia College of Chicago. Mr. Huff is a founding member of the U.S. Urban Arts Federation and the Texas Assembly of Arts Councils (now called the Texas Alliance for Education and the Arts). He has served on the boards of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the National Association for Regional Ballet, Texans for the Arts and Texas Non-Profit Theatres and two regional arts organizations: Arts Midwest and Mid America Arts Alliance. Mr. Huff served as both a panelist and site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts prior to and since his employment at the Irving Arts Center.

Richard is preceded in death by parents, Robert and Charlotte Huff. He is survived by son, Robert Huff and wife Margaret; daughter, Cecillia Huff; grandson, Marcus David Huff; grandson, Richard Steven Huff; brother, Harold Huff; sister, Barbara Sue Mikesell; numerous other nieces, nephews, extended family, and loving friends.

By StadiumBusiness

The Brazilian city of São Paulo is set for a new 20,000-capacity arena through a partnership between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and GL Events.

GL Events, an events infrastructure specialist, has been awarded a 30-year lease by the City of São Paulo for the Anhembi campus, which spans four million square feet and is currently known for hosting a carnival parade among other events.

The arena has been designed by architecture firm Gensler and is expected to break ground in 2022,

opening in 2024. The arena is set to include innovative features such as environmental sustainability programs, VIP seating, hospitality lounges, diverse food and beverage offerings, and premium acoustic technology.

The Arena São Paulo will host concerts, sports, family entertainment shows and more, and will be located in the heart of the Anhembi District. The development of the arena will mark the beginning of a wider redevelopment project for the district that will include a range of real-estate investments.

It is hoped the redevelopment will transform Anhembi into a “global benchmark” for events with the arena, which will be complemented by a cultural boulevard, an exhibition center and São Paulo’s first next-generation international convention center.

Live Nation and OVG will develop and operate the new arena and oversee event bookings. Live Nation, which has an existing presence in Brazil with festivals such as Lollapalooza and Rock in Rio, will focus on featuring international and domestic artists at the arena.

São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes said: “Today is a historic day for our city because we are starting the implementation of the Arena São Paulo, a project led by the three best companies in the world in their industry. We are going to build the best arena in Latin America. It will be a major achievement for the city of São Paulo and for the world.”

Michael Rapino, president and chief executive of Live Nation Entertainment, added: “As the leader in live, we’re excited to be expanding our footprint in Latin America by creating a world-class arena in São Paulo. This new venue will add to our portfolio of 200+ venues worldwide and we are proud to contribute to the growth of São Paulo as a live music hub and international touring destination.”

Last month, Live Nation and OVG were announced as companies in a consortium that will deliver a new 15,000-capacity arena in the Welsh capital of Cardiff. The companies will serve as operators, with Robertson to be the developer of the arena, which is set to open by the end of 2024.

iCommit, IAVM’s new member referral campaign, is nearing its end! Now is the time to refer industry nonmembers to IAVM, i.e., venue professionals, companies who provide products and services to venues, faculty and students are encouraged to join.

Current members: for each new member you refer by the deadline, your name will be entered into a raffle to win one of five, $500 Apple Gift Cards. The more members you refer, the more chances you have to win!

• Prizes: The grand prize will be a complimentary registration to VenueConnect 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona (value up to $1,000).
• Win one of five, $500 Apple Gift cards – receive one raffle entry for each new member you refer.
• The IAVM Region that adds the most new members will choose one recipient to apply for the CVP designation by 12/31/2022; IAVM will waive the $125 application fee (the Region Director will choose the recipient within the winning region).

To ensure you are eligible to win one of the prizes, ask your applicant to do the following:

• List your name in the Application Section titled, “Who Recommended IAVM To You/How Did You Hear About IAVM?”
• Enter “iCommit” in the Promotional Code field in the online membership application.
• For new Professional or Allied members only, the $150 one-time initiation fee will be waived*

*Some membership types do not have an initiation fee; membership dues will not be discounted.

All winners of the gift cards will be notified in January 2022. Contact membership@iavm.org if you have any questions.