Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum

Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum
Former names	Memorial Coliseum (1969–1987); Joel H. Eaves Memorial Coliseum (1987–1993)
Location	Coliseum Dr ; Auburn, AL 36832
Coordinates	32°36′01″N 85°29′32″W / 32.60028°N 85.49222°WCoordinates: 32°36′01″N 85°29′32″W / 32.60028°N 85.49222°W
Owner	Auburn University
Operator	Auburn University
Capacity	10,500
Construction
Broke ground	1968
Opened	January 11, 1969
Closed	2010 (for intercollegiate competition)
Construction cost	$6.03 Million
Tenants
	USA team handball (2013–present); Auburn Tigers (NCAA); Men's basketball (1969–2010); Women's basketball (1974–2010); Women's gymnastics (1974–2010); Wrestling (1969–1981)

Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. The arena, which opened in 1969, is best known as the former home of the Auburn men's and women's basketball, women's gymnastics, and wrestling teams. The teams finished their stays at the facility at the end of the 2009–10 season, with all of its tenants moving into the new Auburn Arena opening in time for the 2010–11 season. In addition to sports, numerous concerts were held in the facility.^[1] The coliseum continues to house athletics offices as well as classrooms and office space for Auburn's Department of Geosciences.

The building's exterior is primarily nondescript concrete, but its entry plaza was recognizable for the large "War Eagle" statue which faced not only the rest of the university, but also nearby Jordan–Hare Stadium.

Naming history[]

The building was approved by the state legislature in 1965 to replace the Auburn Sports Arena, a small on-campus building in use from 1946 until the building of the Coliseum. The state supplied the majority of the funds, with the federal government, the University and an athletics department pledge drive making up the rest of the $6,033,597 needed. It was originally named the Memorial Coliseum, in memory of the Auburn war dead of the 20th century.

The coliseum opened January 11, 1969 for a basketball game against Louisiana State University. Auburn upset the Pistol Pete Maravich-led LSU team.^[2]

In 1987, it was renamed for Joel H. Eaves, a former basketball player and coach who guided the Tigers to their first Southeastern Conference title in 1960 and is the school's all-time winningest coach. It received its current name six years later, adding the name of Jeff Beard, athletic director from 1951 to 1972 during some of Auburn's best years athletically.

Originally, the arena seated 12,500 people. It was downsized to 10,108 in 1994 when offices were created removing several rows at the top of the end seating areas. Since 1998, it has seated 10,500.

Notable events[]

On March 25–27, 1971, the Memorial Coliseum hosted the 41st Annual NCAA Wrestling Championships.

On March 5, 1974, Elvis Presley performed a sold-out show at the Memorial Coliseum.

References[]

^ http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/bemc-timeline.html
^ Woodbery, Evan (March 3, 2010). "Auburn bids farewell to Beard-Eaves-Memorial-Coliseum". AL.com.

Auburn University Athletic Department (2001). Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum. Retrieved June 6, 2005.

External links[]

Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum at AuburnTigers.com

This article about a sports venue in Alabama is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

[1] ttp://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/bemc-timeline.html

[2] Woodbery, Evan (March 3, 2010). "Auburn bids farewell to Beard-Eaves-Memorial-Coliseum". AL.com.

[1]

[2]

v t Auburn University
Located in: Auburn, Alabama
Academics	History of Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business Publications: Southern Humanities Review
Athletics	Auburn Tigers Football Men's basketball Women's basketball Swimming and diving Gymnastics Rivalries: Iron Bowl Deep South's Oldest Rivalry Tiger Bowl Facilities: Jordan–Hare Stadium Plainsman Park Hutsell-Rosen Track Auburn Arena
Campus	Main: Auburn University Chapel Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Donald E. Davis Arboretum Old Rotation Samford Hall Langdon Hall Other: Auburn University at Montgomery Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport Rural Studio
Student life	Auburn University Marching Band WEGL The Auburn Plainsman Committee of 19 Notable Auburn University people Ask Foy
Traditions	Auburn University traditions Aubie Tiger Walk Toomer's Corner War Eagle
Outreach	Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Founded: 1856

v t Auburn Tigers men's basketball
Venues	(1906–1916) (1916–1946) Auburn Sports Arena (1946–1969) Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum (1969–2010) Auburn Arena (2010–present)
Rivalries	Alabama UAB
Culture & lore	Aubie The Jungle
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
	1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1927–28 1943–44 1954–55 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1965–66 1966–67 1968–69 1969–70 1977–78 1978–79 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1992–93 1994–95 1995–96 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2002–03 2004–05 2008–09 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22
NCAA Final Four appearances in italics

v t Auburn Tigers women's basketball
Venues	Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum (1974–2010) Auburn Arena (2010–present)
Culture & lore	History Aubie
People
	2008–09 2009–10 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22
NCAA Final Four appearance in italics

Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum

Contents

Naming history[]

Notable events[]

See also[]

References[]

External links[]

Construction


Former names	Memorial Coliseum (1969–1987) Joel H. Eaves Memorial Coliseum (1987–1993)
Location	Coliseum Dr Auburn, AL 36832
Coordinates	32°36′01″N 85°29′32″W / 32.60028°N 85.49222°W / 32.60028; -85.49222Coordinates: 32°36′01″N 85°29′32″W / 32.60028°N 85.49222°W / 32.60028; -85.49222
Owner	Auburn University
Operator	Auburn University
Capacity	10,500
Broke ground	1968
Opened	January 11, 1969
Closed	2010 (for intercollegiate competition)
Construction cost	$6.03 Million
Tenants
USA team handball (2013–present) Auburn Tigers (NCAA) Men's basketball (1969–2010) Women's basketball (1974–2010) Women's gymnastics (1974–2010) Wrestling (1969–1981)