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Barry Geisler To Retire As GM Of EagleBank Arena
– Barry Geisler
EagleBankArena is preparing to say farewell to general manager Barry Geisler with the news that the executive will be retiring after serving at the Fairfax, Va., venue for 34 years.
The 10,200-capacity arena, located on the campus of George Mason University, announced Sept. 19 that Geisler’s retirement will be effective at the end of December and the search for his replacement will begin immediately.
“It has been a great run and I’m looking forward to working these final three months, making a seamless transition to my successor and then cheering on EagleBank Arena’s continued success,” Geisler said in a statement. “A huge thank you to the many agents, promoters and family show producers who have placed their acts in our venue and have made EagleBank Arena one of the most successful mid-size arenas over the past 34 years.”
He told Pollstar that he’s looking forward to traveling more and spending more weekends and evenings with his wife, “who put up with an arena schedule for over 30 years.”
When asked to name any standout shows during his tenue at the Washington, D.C, market venue, Geisler said, “Neil Young & Crazy Horse played Patriot Center/EagleBank Arena twice and both shows were tremendous. Also, Prince played the arena three times and those shows were incredible!”
Prior to being named GM of the venue then known as Patriot Center, Geisler moved to the area in 1985 to work as the director of arena administration. He started his career at the Oakland Coliseum in 1982 and served as the event coordinator at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center from 1983-1985.
Upcoming shows at EagleBank Arena include J Balvin Sept. 26, Maluma Oct. 13, Bad Bunny Nov. 1, A Day To Remember Nov. 3 and Pentatonix Dec. 5.
Reports submitted to Pollstar’s Boxoffice include a June 14 show by Wisin & Yandel that sold 5,803 tickets and grossed $414,232.
“We are very appreciative of Barry’s hard work and dedication in positioning EagleBank Arena as one of the top university venues in the world and wish him a wonderful retirement,” David Touhey, President of Venues at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement.