After a turbulent start (literally) when the roof blew off in the first season, the Spectrum settled in as a world-class host of NHL and NBA games to hard-core Philly sports fans during the 1970s and early 1980s. The Sixers, with their star Julius “Dr. J” Erving, went to the NBA Finals four times during that period and the NBA All-Star game was hosted there in 1976. NHL All Star games and their finals, several legendary rock concerts and plenty of college hoops kept the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia buzzing with fans. Perhaps the highlight for many was the Sylvester Stallone statue erected in front of the arena after his emblematic “Rocky” picture about a boxer from Philadelphia captivated the nation.

During the 1980s, the Spectrum began to show the wear and tear from years of frequent use. As the standards of arenas around the NBA league were raised city by city with new arenas, the Spectrum’s value began to shrink. The Sixers were able to secure funding and support from the mayor and officially moved to their new arena, the Wachovia Center, across the parking lot in 1996 in the newly created Philadelphia Sports Complex, which includes a new baseball field and football stadium.

...Hayes-led 1983 World Series contenders and before Pete, Michael Jack and Tugger brought us our first world championship in 1980, there was what Bill Conlin eloquently referred to as "Black Friday, Oct. 7, 1977." As an impressionable 8-year..

...Phillies fan when my godfather led church youth outings to Phillies games. When I was a senior in high school, the Phils won the 1980 World Series. For 28 years, I never strayed from my upbringing. Now, a generation later, my godson lives in Washington...

THE 1980s: SPORTS: AWARDS

 

1980

 

Major League Baseball World Series —Philadelphia Phillies (National League), 4 vs. Kansas City Royals (American League), 2

 

Super Bowl XIV —Pittsburgh Steelers, 31 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 19

 

National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Champion —Georgia

 

Heisman Trophy, Collegiate Football —George Rogers (South Carolina)

 

Indianapolis 500, Automobile Racing —Johnny Rutherford

Major League Baseball World Series —Los Angeles Dodgers (National League), 4 vs. New York Yankees (American League), 2

 

Super Bowl XV —Oakland Raiders, 27 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 10

 

National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Champion —Clemson

 

Heisman Trophy, Collegiate Football —Marcus Allen (Southern California)

 

Indianapolis 500, Automobile Racing —Bobby Unser

 

Daytona 500, Automobile Racing —Richard Petty

 

National Basketball Association Championship —Boston Celtics, 4 vs. Houston Rockets, 2

 

National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball —Indiana, 63 vs. North Carolina, 50

 

Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Basketball —Louisiana Tech, 79 vs. Tennessee, 59