Lexie Boone Named General Manager of Colonial Life Arena
Lexie Boone, a member of the Colonial Life Arena staff for more than 17 years, has been promoted to General Manager at the arena, Athletics Director Ray Tanner announced today. Boone will begin his duties on Jan. 2, 2025.
Since July 2015, Boone has served as Senior Assistant General Manager. He started working at Colonial Life Arena in January 2003 in Premium Services and Sales. In between his Colonial Life Arena stints, he was an Event Manager at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. (Aug. 2005-Sept. 2006) and General Manager at UCF Arena in Orlando, Fla. (Jan .2008-Dec. 2011).
Boone has overseen the booking arrangements for all Colonial Life Arena events since 2012.
Boone replaces Sid Kenyon, who has been the Colonial Life Arena General Manager since January 2015. Kenyon will retire after serving many roles in his more than 47 years at the University of South Carolina. He will continue to teach classes in the school’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM).
“Lexie has been an outstanding contributor to the success of Colonial Life Arena, said Tanner. “He and Sid have made a fantastic team, and I have no doubt that the accomplishments will continue under Lexie’s direction. Lexie is a wonderful manager and leader.”
Boone, a 2001 graduate of the University of Mississippi, and his wife Kim, have two children, a daughter, Cora, and a son, Battley. Kim is the Director of Events, Engaged Learning and Outreach for the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management in the University’s HRSM program.
“This is an incredible honor and one that I take great pride in,” said Boone. “I’m very thankful and excited to have the opportunity to continue leading the Colonial Life Arena team as we strive to take our success to new heights.”
Colonial Life Arena continues to be one of the highest financially grossing University-owned facilities in the nation. In 2022-23, the arena had its third highest grossing fiscal year in its history.
Colonial Life Arena is operated by the University of South Carolina Athletics Department. It is the primary home to Gamecock men’s and women’s basketball and hosts many other events, including concerts, conferences, entertainment shows and graduations.
Upcoming non-athletics events at Colonial Life Arena include Pink Concert on Nov. 20, Jelly Roll on Nov. 22, Tans-Siberian Orchestra on Dec. 12, Harlem Globetrotters on Dec. 13 and Rod Wave on Dec. 20.
Colonial Life Arena opened in 2002 and was named Colonial Center from 2003-08 and Colonial Life Arena since 2008. Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company is based in Columbia, S.C. and is a sponsor of Gamecock Athletics.
