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The doors to the Hartford Civic Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Exhibition Center opened on January 9, 1975, with Glenn Campbell kicking off the start of an event filled weekend. The following evening, Johnny Mathis and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra took to the stage. Professional hockey in Hartford began as the New England Whalers played their first game at the Hartford Civic Center, hosting the San Diego Mariners. Since then, the Civic Center has remained Connecticut's home for premier sports and entertainment.
 Unfortunately, after three years of providing top family fun and entertainment, the Civic Center had to be closed. On the evening of January 18, 1978, just hours after the University of Connecticut Men's Basketball team defeated the University of Massachusetts; the weight of snow from the day's heavy snowstorm was too much for the Civic Center roof to withstand and forced it to collapse. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Nearly two years later to the day, on January 17, 1980, the new Hartford Whalers, now of the NHL, reopened the doors with a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Once again, it was the start of something great in Hartford.
Through the years, the Beach Boys, Diana Ross, the Grateful Dead, Luciano Pavarotti, James Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner and artists of the like filled the Civic Center with guests of all ages.
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 Although 1997 brought about the end of the Whalers in Hartford, it was also a new beginning - the new American Hockey League affiliate to the New York Rangers was about to make Hartford their new home. In August of 1997, Madison Square Garden announced an agreement with the Connecticut Development Authority to manage the Hartford Civic Center, enabling the Rangers to purchase their Binghamton development team and move their squad to Connecticut. The Hartford Wolf Pack kicked off a new era of Hockey in Hartford.
 Along with the Wolf Pack, the Hartford Civic Center continues to be the home away from home for both the University of Connecticut Men and Women's basketball programs. The Huskies have grown into a perennial powerhouse, playing in front of sold out crowds and winning National Championships in 1999 and 1995, 2000, 2002 and 2004 respectively. In addition to the resident teams, the Civic Center has entertained millions of visitors annually with a variety of concerts, family shows, ice-skating spectaculars, consumer events and trade shows throughout the season. Concert headliners include the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, U2, Andrea Bocelli, Britney Spears, Pavarotti, Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney, Green Day and Madonna. Annual attractions include Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, Sesame Street Live, World Wrestling Entertainment, Stars on Ice, Champions on Ice and the Hartford Bridal Expo. Special Events have included the NHL Entry Draft and All Star Game, World Figure Skating Championships, NBA and WNBA basketball games, Championship Boxing, NCAA Tournaments, WWE's WrestleMania XI and the Disney Annual Shareholders Meeting. The Hartford Civic Center is now the proud host of the Big East Conference Women's Basketball Championship until 2009, as well as the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship 1st & 2nd round in 2007.
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