It’s Playoff Time For The Checkers At Historic Bojangles Coliseum

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s playoff time in Charlotte for the city’s most tenured team, the Charlotte Checkers.

They are expecting a full house of 8,000 fans at Bojangles Coliseum on Thursday and Friday. The venue is the perfect setting for history.

If the walls could talk, they’d have 70 years of stories and stars. Built in 1955, The Coliseum has hosted every act imaginable from Prince, to Queen, and the King – seven times.

It’s been the site of everything from basketball to Billy Graham but it’s most prolific tenant is hockey, dating back to 1956.

Pat Kelly played in The Coliseum as an opponent in 1959. It was the same building just a bit more barbaric.

Kelly roomed with Bobby Hull, befriending Arnold Palmer and went to banquets with Jackie Robinson. The native Canadian played without a helmet but coached with his head, leading Charlotte to two championships in the 70’s.

The playoff privilege not lost on 25-year-old Checkers star Will Lockwood or the 89-year-old who can see himself in the rafters.

Elvis may have left the building but the Checkers and Charlotte keep Bojangles Coliseum rocking.