The Samuel M. Thomas Assembly Center is an 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Ruston, Louisiana. The arena, named for its benefactor and businessman Samuel M. Thomas, is home to the Division I NCAA Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs (men) and Lady Techsters (women) basketball teams. The arena also hosts concerts and events. The arena opened in November 1982 just west of Joe Aillet Stadium, and replaced the then-30-year-old Memorial Gymnasium on the corner of Tech Drive and Railroad Avenue. The men's basketball team hosted the Southland Conference tournament in the STAC in 1985 and 1987, and four NIT games, one in 1986, two games in 2002, and one in 2015. The women's team has hosted the first, second and regional rounds of the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament nineteen times, most recently in 2003. The TAC also serves as the home of the Louisiana Tech Women's Volleyball team since the program's inception in 1987. NBA greats including Karl Malone, P.J. Brown, Randy White and Paul Millsap have called the Samuel Thomas Assembly Center home during their collegiate careers. See also List of convention centers in the United States List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas References Indoor arenas in Louisiana College basketball venues in the United States College volleyball venues in the United States Convention centers in Louisiana Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Lady Techsters basketball Sports venues in Ruston, Louisiana Sports venues in Louisiana Basketball venues in Louisiana Volleyball venues in Louisiana Louisiana Tech University Music venues in Louisiana Buildings and structures in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana Sports venues completed in 1982 1982 establishments in Louisiana