Renaming Auburn Arena

[AEAugirl 9,623]

BOT approved the name change from Auburn Arena to Neville Arena  https://auburntigers.com/news/2022/2/8/mens-basketball-neville-arena-auburn-trustees-approve-arena-name-change-basketball-facility-improvements.aspx

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,641]

If that money leads to transformative facilities, I guess we gotta take it 

I will never call it that though lol 

[toddc 13,194]

 

[TitanTiger 20,469]

I don't love the name change, but I get it.  This donation is probably what made Bruce's basketball practice facility a reality.

Plus, a decade from now, Pearl-Neville Arena will sound pretty good.  

[LKEEL75 2,566]

1 minute ago, TitanTiger said:

I don't love the name change, but I get it.  This donation is probably what made Bruce's basketball practice facility a reality.

Plus, a decade from now, Pearl-Neville Arena will sound pretty good.  

 

[AU Is Gold 410]

Why are people okay with putting their name on something like this? It's just tacky. 

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

3 minutes ago, LKEEL75 said:

 

The amount of people that don't understand that song astounds me.

[gravejd 3,267]

Give them a plaque or something but to name the arena after some donors?? That must have been one hell of a donation they made. 

[BigBlueWDE 1,136]

How can you change the name and not release the amount of the donation?

[LKEEL75 2,566]

33 minutes ago, Brad_ATX said:

The amount of people that don't understand that song astounds me.

haha 100% agree!

[CoffeeTiger 5,082]

Not a very cool name and doesn't roll off the tong very easily, but whatever. 

 

It mainly Just makes me think of former British Prime minister Neville Chamberlin. 

[fredst 9,064]

1 hour ago, gravejd said:

Give them a plaque or something but to name the arena after some donors?? That must have been one hell of a donation they made. 

If you give $10+ million and want your name on it….I got no problem with that 

[AEAugirl 9,623]

1 hour ago, AU Is Gold said:

Why are people okay with putting their name on something like this? It's just tacky. 

If I gave that many millions for that facility out of the goodness of my heart I’d probably want my name on the building too. 

[LKEEL75 2,566]

15 minutes ago, fredst said:

If you give $10+ million and want your name on it….I got no problem with that 

 

1 minute ago, AEAugirl said:

If I gave that many millions for that facility out of the goodness of my heart I’d probably want my name on the building too. 

Heck I gave $150 bucks to monument at local park so I could get my name on a brick hahaha

[AU Is Gold 410]

2 minutes ago, AEAugirl said:

If I gave that many millions for that facility out of the goodness of my heart I’d probably want my name on the building too. 

I guess some people are just different. I could care less about name recognition. 

[fredst 9,064]

5 minutes ago, AEAugirl said:

If I gave that many millions for that facility out of the goodness of my heart I’d probably want my name on the building too. 

I think that I personally would not but…different strokes….

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

6 minutes ago, AEAugirl said:

If I gave that many millions for that facility out of the goodness of my heart I’d probably want my name on the building too. 

There's a perfectly good practice facility being built that no one would have raised a fuss over if the Neville name had been put on it.

[AEAugirl 9,623]

9 minutes ago, AU Is Gold said:

I guess some people are just different. I could care less about name recognition. 

Its more about honoring his dad from what I can gather….its also the largest gift in AU history. 

There is a lobby in JHS named after Bill and Connie Neville. 

Fun fact…neither Bill or Connie Neville are Auburn alums, but his parents were. 

Edited February 8, 2022 by AEAugirl

[tgrogan21 6,198]

When they first posted it, I hated it. But then I heard they donated $20 million. And then I watched this:

This isn't the same as some stuffy old rich people just trying to get their hands into everything. I don't like the name and it doesn't roll of the tongue very easily but there are a lot of fun things that you can do with it.

I think it's just gonna take some getting used to and I think a lot of people really wanted it named after Bruce but that can come after he retires and it can be the Pearl-Neville Arena or something like that.

[CameronCrazy 1,057]

Wow, that’s terrible! Why not name the new practice facility after these people instead?

[GwillMac6 20,607]

4 hours ago, BigBlueWDE said:

How can you change the name and not release the amount of the donation?

20 million dollars. It is the single largest donation in Auburn Athletics history. 

https://auburntigers.com/news/2022/2/8/mens-basketball-neville-arena-auburn-trustees-approve-arena-name-change-basketball-facility-improvements.aspx

AUBURN, Ala. – The competition venue for Auburn men's and women's basketball, gymnastics and volleyball will be known as Neville Arena in recognition of the single largest gift in Auburn Athletics history, Auburn University's Board of Trustees approved Friday.

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." 

Bill Neville serves on the Tigers Unlimited Foundation Board. The Neville's previous philanthropic support resulted in the naming of the Bill and Connie Neville Lobby in the east elevator lobby at Jordan-Hare Stadium in honor of the Eufaula, Alabama, natives.

Bill's father and grandparents graduated from Auburn University. Bill earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University in mathematics, computer science and mathematical sciences, and his MBA from Columbia University. 

He founded several technology firms on St. Croix focusing on television news and automation, broadband deployment and sports analytics.  

Connie earned her bachelor's in education from New York University and a master's in education from Columbia University. The Nevilles live on St. Croix, where Connie supports a number of charitable causes after teaching in New York, New Jersey and Florida, and working in interior design.

Their past philanthropic support of Auburn University includes membership in the 1856 Society and support of the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, along with the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 

"With their transformational gift, Bill and Connie Neville are investing in the future of Auburn Athletics and Auburn University," Director of Athletics Allen Greene said. "Motivated by their love of Auburn, Bill and Connie's philanthropy will directly benefit Auburn student-athletes for generations. 

"We thank the Board of Trustees for approving the recommendation to acknowledge the Neville's profound generosity, as well as approving facilities projects that will further elevate all of the Auburn programs that call Neville Arena home."

In addition to the naming of Neville Arena, the Board of Trustees also passed Phase I approval to initiate a project creating an additional basketball practice facility at the arena.

Trustees passed a resolution to construct the new practice gym and renovate existing team support spaces to alleviate overscheduling of the existing practice gym, which is shared by men's and women's basketball, and volleyball, as well as visiting teams. It will permit Auburn's men's and women's programs to conduct practices at advantageous times and bring their facilities to Southeastern Conference competitive standards.

"Bill knew how much his father loved Auburn and he's dedicated much of his life to honoring his father," Auburn men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl said. "That's how I look at this gift. I will always work hard to try to continue to bring championships to Neville Arena.

"This is a commitment to all four of the programs that call Neville Arena home. The fact that our guys will truly have a place they can call home 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the way they train, is very significant and will contribute to our ability to sustain success."

Trustees also voted to grant Phase 3 final approval, the funding component, to the women's basketball renovation project. The board voted on Sept. 10, 2021, to initiate the 4,000-square-foot project, then approved architect selection of the Goodwyn Mills Cawood firm on Nov. 12, 2021.

The renovated women's basketball locker room and team spaces will facilitate improved student-athlete recovery and development, and more competitive recruiting. The project, estimated to cost $3 million, will be financed by Athletics Department funds. 

"The approval of our women's basketball locker room renovation shows the continued commitment of Auburn University to helping us rebuild our program," women's basketball coach Johnnie Harris said. "Facilities have become a critical part of the recruiting process but is also important to building a team's brand and culture.  We are incredibly thankful for the message that our administration is sending towards our growth and future."

[AEAugirl 9,623]

4 hours ago, tgrogan21 said:

When they first posted it, I hated it. But then I heard they donated $20 million. And then I watched this:

This isn't the same as some stuffy old rich people just trying to get their hands into everything. I don't like the name and it doesn't roll of the tongue very easily but there are a lot of fun things that you can do with it.

I think it's just gonna take some getting used to and I think a lot of people really wanted it named after Bruce but that can come after he retires and it can be the Pearl-Neville Arena or something like that.

I bet they would name the court after Pearl.  

[yngwie1995 2,227]

4 hours ago, tgrogan21 said:

When they first posted it, I hated it. But then I heard they donated $20 million. And then I watched this:

This isn't the same as some stuffy old rich people just trying to get their hands into everything. I don't like the name and it doesn't roll of the tongue very easily but there are a lot of fun things that you can do with it.

I think it's just gonna take some getting used to and I think a lot of people really wanted it named after Bruce but that can come after he retires and it can be the Pearl-Neville Arena or something like that.

They left out NevAUlle.

[LKEEL75 2,566]

6 hours ago, Brad_ATX said:

The amount of people that don't understand that song astounds me.

Also...  One of best idioms that I have heard...

True difference in MEN & WOMEN is that the meaning of "pearl necklace" to each one