Photos from the TCU-Southern Cal Basketball Game in Dickies Arena

December 6, 2019
Photos by Tom C. "Midnite" Burke

The $540-million Dickies Arena, which recently opened, is located within shouting distance of the historic Will Rogers Coliseum, within Fort Worth's cultural district. Voters overwhelmingly approved the public-private partnership project in 2014, with public funds capped at $250 million and the rest coming from private funds.

(photos above and below) A five-acre plaza wraps around Dickies Arena's four entrances, the most prominent and largest facing Gendy Street.

Fort Worth-based Dickies is the world's leading performance workwear brand.

Designed by architect David Schwartz, who has designed many other prominent buildings in Fort Worth and the area, including Bass Hall and Globe Life Park, Dickies Arena blends in with its surrounding Art Deco architecture. Incorporated inside and outside are painted and sculpted decorations and grillwork panels of western motifs and native grasses. These themes are carried forth into the tile, floors, walls and railings.

TCU and Southern Cal (USC) played the first basketball game in Dickies Arena on Friday, December 6. Southern Cal won, 80-78, on a last-second tip-in of a missed shot.

TCU senior guard Desmond Bane, who fouled out of the game against Southern Cal, has been named to the watch list for the Oscar Robertson Trophy. The award is given annually by the United States Basketball Writers Association to the most outstanding men's college basketball player. This year's award will be presented at the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta in April.

(photos above and below) A 25-by-38-feet-round scoreboard, believed to be the largest in the country, hangs from the arched, perforated metal ceiling of Dickies Arena.

TCU benefactor and trustee Ed Schollmaier (second from left) and TCU baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle (standing) were among those who watched TCU lose to Southern Cal in the first basketball game played in Fort Worth's new Dickies Arena.

TCU head basketball coach Jamie Dixon (center)

Southern Cal head basketball coach Andy Enfield (center)

TCU center Kevin Samuel (#21) is fouled while taking a shot.

TCU forward Diante Smith (#10) puts up a shot against Southern Cal while PJ Fuller (#4) and other Horned Frogs watch. Smith scored four points in the game.

TCU forward Diante Smith (#10) guards Southern Cal's Kyle Sturdivant (#1), who failed to score in the game.

TCU center Kevin Samuel (#21) prepares to shoot a free throw against Southern Cal. Samuel scored 17 points in the game.

By losing, 80-78, to Southern Cal, on December 6, the Horned Frogs became the first team to lose a basketball game in Dickies Arena. Two nights later, on December 8, the University of Texas became the first Texas-based team to win a basketball game in Dickies Arena. The Longhorns beat Texas A&M, 60-50.   -- Photo by Bob Dixon

The new Dickies Arena will host the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, scheduled for January 17-February 8.