Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum

Physical Address:

1964 Bobby K. Marks Drive
Huntsville, Texas 77340

The Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum is a multi-purpose facility, which falls under the direct management of the Department of Recreational Sports. It is shared by many University departments, student groups, local high schools, community organizations and national promotional companies. The facility is a cornerstone of activities for Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, and the surrounding communities.

Graduation The Coliseum was completed in 1976 and was originally called the University Coliseum. The name was later changed to the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, dedicated to the former President of the Board of Regents, Bernard G. Johnson of Houston. The facility was envisioned as a place to host SHSU athletic events, University events including registration and commencement exercises and a variety of special events.

The Coliseum hosts approximately 250-300 event days and over 50 different events each year. The Coliseum has 5,529 fixed seats, 565 retractable bleacher seats and the capacity of adding another 1,000 chairs on the floor. The Coliseum is a convenient facility for the people of East Texas to see quality local and national entertainers.

The main occupant of the facility from mid-August to March is Sam Houston State University athletics. While athletics pays a nominal user fee for those months, it is not the sole tenant. The Coliseum established a priority reservation system for additional dates to make the Building more accessible to the University community and the general public.

Many University programs use the Coliseum to host their events. The Coliseum hosts three University commencement exercises, two registrations, Recreational Sports programming, Career, Summer, and Teacher Job Fairs, Parents Day, Homecoming activities, Student Recruitment Days, Organizational Fairs, Award Ceremonies, Greek Life Functions, Banquets and many other functions. Coliseum administrators have successfully implemented policies which allow any campus organization an opportunity to utilize the facility at minimal cost.

The Johnson Coliseum has hosted a variety of special events. Shows include Willie Nelson, Restless Heart, Vince Gill, Chicago, The American Gladiators, Gallagher, Carrot Top, Deep Blue Something, Harlem Globetrotters, Sammy Kershaw, and the U.S. Navy Band. The Coliseum has also hosted regional networking seminars, workshops, and summer camps. Today's Coliseum staff is a service oriented group of professionals which make each event the best it can possibly be.

The Johnson Coliseum is branching out and looking at all types of entertainment, trade shows, seminars and athletic events. The Coliseum can promote, co-promote, or act as liaison to the community and assist in providing a successful event. At the Johnson Coliseum, we aim for success and want every show and event to be advantageous for everyone involved.