Tag: Neville Arena

LOOK: Auburn fans are upset over Nate Oats’ comment on Neville Arena

Ahead of Alabama’s game at Auburn, head coach Nate Oats ruffled some feathers with his comment on the Tigers’ Neville Arena.

Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats is not one to back down from confrontation, as Tide fans have grown to become fond of. His passion for the game sometimes leads to a technical foul and even a rare ejection.

Ahead of Alabama’s second contest of the regular season against Auburn, which will be a road game for the Crimson Tide, Oats attempted to compliment the Tigers’ home court, Neville Arena. However, it seemed to have backfired.

Oats, who got his start coaching high school basketball, said that Neville Arena reminded him of a high school environment where they pack a couple thousand people into a smaller gym, according to Tony Tsoukalas of Tide Illustrated. It was a commentary on the noise level and energy in the building.

Auburn fans did not take too kindly to Oats’ comment and responded with thoughts of their own.

Auburn Arena will now be known as Neville Arena

More changes to the Auburn basketball facilities.

More changes coming to Auburn Arena, and we aren’t just talking about the facility upgrades that were recently approved by the Board of Trustees.

According to a release from the Auburn athletics department, the Tigers are changing the name of their basketball facility. The name will be changing from Auburn Arena to Neville Arena as of Mar. 4.

A dedication marking the official name change from Auburn Arena to Neville Arena will take place March 4 at the venue, with an on-court recognition March 5 during men’s basketball’s regular season finale vs. South Carolina.

Neville Arena, opened in 2010 with a seating capacity of 9,121, will be named after Bill and Connie Neville, members of the Pat Dye Society, Tigers Unlimited’s highest level of giving.

“We wanted to do something special for men’s basketball because it’s become such another amazing Auburn experience,” Bill Neville said.  “The fact that we can benefit so many student-athletes, students, and members of the Auburn family was our primary inspiration. We’re honored that Auburn would consider us.”

“It’s a remarkable time for Auburn Basketball,” Connie Neville said. “Coach Pearl has built a wonderful program, bringing excitement and enjoyment to the arena. We are very humbled to be able to make this gift.”

The change in the venue’s name comes after the single-largest gift donation in Auburn history from the Neville’s. The Board of Trustees also recently approved the upgrades to the basketball facility including a new practice add-on to the eventually renamed Neville Arena.