In addition to SIUE athletics, the Vadalabene hosts the university's commencement ceremonies, trade shows, concerts, and sports events sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the Prairie State Games, and the State Games of America.

Facilitated by a $4.2 million donation from the Charles S. and Mary L. Lukas Estate, the 29,100-square-foot (2,700 m2) annex houses the offices of the entire SIUE Cougars athletics program in one location for the first time.

[5] On February 14, 2014, the SIU Board of Trustees approved the funding to expand the SFC weight room and to renovate the south entrance to the Vadalabene.

SIUE's longest home winning streak at the Vad Pad is 27 by the women's basketball team during the 1988-90 seasons; the men's record is 21, 1985-87.

[7][8][9] The largest crowd at the Vadalabene was for a men's basketball game between the then-Division II SIUE Cougars and the Division I SIU Carbondale Salukis on January 1, 1987, won by SIUC 84-83 in overtime.