R.I.P. Reunion

Good riddance to a bad arena that provided only mediocre moments

Comments (0) By Richie Whitt Thursday, Jun 26 2008

3. I've been to Super Bowls, World Cups and Olympiads, but February 8, 1986, provided my all-time favorite sporting event. At the NBA's All-Star Saturday, Larry Bird waltzed into the locker room prior to the 3-point shooting contest and announced, "Which one of you motherfuckers is gonna finish second?" Without ever removing his warm-up jacket, he made 11 consecutive 3-pointers en route to the title. For an encore, 5-foot-7 Dallas native Spud Webb—a guy who repeatedly stole the ball from me during Duncanville-Wilmer Hutchins high school games—won the most improbable ever Slam Dunk contest.

2. Back when the Stars Club was just a white tent, Dallas' hockey team advanced to its first Stanley Cup series by beating the Colorado Avalanche, 4-1, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. On June 4, 1999, the house rocked as unheralded Mike Keane scored twice and the sellout frenzy raucously serenaded goalie Ed Belfour with "Edd-ddie!"

LOUIS DELUCA/NEWSCOM

One of five memorable Reunion moments: Stars lose to the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in the second overtime of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup championship on June 10, 2000.

Location Info

Map

Reunion Arena

777 Sports St.
Dallas, TX 75207

Category: Performing Arts Venues

Region: Downtown & Deep Ellum

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1. To this day, Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Western Conference Finals remains the loudest venue I've been in. On June 2, 1988, 17,007 Reunion Rowdies waved towels and chanted "Beat LA!" as the Mavericks did indeed beat the Lakers, 105-103. CBS technicians measured the noise at 121 decibels, comparable to a jet engine.

Reunion provided us locals with some eternal goose bumps. But with its shortage of crystallized championship snapshots, in the final autopsy it's utterly forgettable west of Weatherford.

When Texas Stadium kicks it, it'll receive the fondest of farewells. The structure will lie in state in some grand rotunda, gracing fans one everlasting embrace.

Reunion Arena? After cremation, we'll shrug and sprinkle its ashes in the Trinity River. Better do it fast; I hear George Michael is playing AAC next week.