Bridgestone Arena Countdown to 20 Years: 2001

Known as Nashville Arena upon its inception, Bridgestone Arena's 1993 mission statement was "to provide a state-of-the-art facility that can maximize utilization by hosting a full spectrum of events appealing to all constituencies in the Nashville area. The arena should help stimulate growth and enhance development in downtown Nashville, provide an attractive venue for entertainment, sports and learning, instill a renewed sense of pride in the city, and serve as a landmark for the image and reputation of Nashville as a premier place to live, visit, work and enjoy."
Twenty years later, the building has helped stimulate growth more than those who developed the arena could have ever imagined. Not only is Bridgestone Arena one of the top-five venues in the nation for entertainment, it's home to one of the NHL's top Stanley Cup contenders.
The building will celebrate its 20th Anniversary this year during a matchup against the New York Rangers on Saturday, December 17, taking place two decades after its opening event, Amy Grant's memorable concerts on December 16 and 17, 1996. Since that first iconic concert run all the way through today, more than 20 million fans have visited Bridgestone Arena to watch history unfold and to create lasting memories.

Leading up to the 20th anniversary celebration, NashvillePredators.com will take a look back at the greatest moments in Arena history, year-by-year, continuing today with the year 2001.
One year after hosting its first basketball tournament, Bridgestone Arena was selected to host the 2001 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament which was attended by thousands. Kentucky beat Ole Miss in the championship game 77-55.
Preds mascot, GNASH, was ecstatic when AC/DC took the stage and performed his theme song "Thunderstruck" for an enthusiastic crowd during their Nashville leg of the "Stiff Upper Lip Tour."

September 11, 2001, is a day that Americans will never forget. In response to the acts of terrorism committed against the U.S. on that day, country music stars, such as Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and Sara Evans banded together to perform their most patriotic tunes and raise the spirits of the American people at Bridgestone Arena. The nationally televised event raised money on behalf of the Salvation Army.

In the first season of donning their eye-catching mustard jerseys, the Predators became the second-fastest expansion team of the 1990s to reach the 100-win plateau by topping the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on December 6.
Remember When: 2001
Billboard Hot 100 Top Song: "Hanging By A Moment" -Lifehouse
Top Grossing Movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Top Rated TV Show: Friends