When it opened in late 2007, the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center (JCC) on the campus of Chicago State University (CSU) began what is sure to be a long tenure as the home of the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as a vital role as a sports, entertainment and community hub on the city’s south side.
Just one thing was missing – sound reinforcement up to the premium standards of the rest of the $47 million multi-purpose venue.
That facet has now been addressed, and then some, with the recent implementation of not one, but two specific-purpose systems capable of meeting and exceeding expectations for any event the facility hosts.
The JCC comprises more than 140,000 square feet, centered on an arena offering enough assembly space to seat up to 6,000 people, topped on one side by a sky box lounge with a capacity for 100 more.
Surrounding spaces host eight locker rooms, a weight room, a training room, academic study rooms, conference and receptions areas, offices, walkways with multiple concession areas, and much more.
Budget constraints impacted the sound reinforcement situation in the initial construction phase, so a temporary arena PA solution was put into place and other events requiring more dynamic support were served with rental systems.
While not ideal, the situation actually turned out to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise, affording university and venue staff the luxury of formulating plans to more precisely meet the real-world needs being observed and experienced on a regular basis.
So when funding became available in 2010, they were ready. After going through a thorough RFP and selection process, CSU began discussions with Sound of Authority (SOA), a leading Chicago sound and production company, about implementing specific solutions.
SOA, founded by president/ CEO Ernest (Ernie) Greene in 1978, has fostered and earned a long professional relationship with the university in supporting numerous events and projects stretching back more than a decade.
The team was further enhanced with the addition of Aaron Johnson, CTS. As the head of Chicago-based Johnson AV Engineering, he has successfully collaborated with SOA in the past and brings to the table a strong resume of designing systems and managing high-level projects.
Greene and Johnson interfaced with Yvette Warren, CSU director of the office of meetings and events, as well as Jerome Jackson, whose title is external manager for the office of meetings and events, but more accurately, he has a dedicated hands-on role with system and production issues at the venue.