Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum

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 soldiers that passed in the Mexican Border wars, WWI and WWII.^[3]

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 by removing several rows at the top of the end seating areas. Since 1998, it has seated 10,500.

Memorial Coliseum opened January 11, 1969, for a basketball game against LSU where Auburn upset the Pistol Pete Maravich-led LSU team.^[4] Auburn men's and women's basketball and gymnastics used the Coliseum until 2010 when Auburn Arena opened.^[5] Auburn's men's wrestling team competed at Memorial Coliseum until the program ended in 1981.

When the arena became vacant, Auburn University put it to different uses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the university used the Coliseum as a COVID testing facility.^[6] Students were required to receive COVID testing before their first day of school on August 17, 2020. The third floor of the Coliseum was a vaccination destination for the Auburn area.^[7] Auburn University also used the Coliseum to distribute a booster vaccination in 2021 to those who couldn't get an appointment at pharmacies.^[8] Students continue to use the Coliseum for club sport practices and Greek life events.^[9][10]

As of early 2024, the university is studying plans regarding the future use of the Coliseum. Options include a major renovation of the interior or eventual demolition.^[11] A renovation would include new and expanded space for Volleyball and Wheelchair basketball among other athletic and multipurpose uses.^[12] The Coliseum was originally planned for demolition after the completion of the 2009-2010 basketball season. At the time there were plans to replace the facility with a parking deck but they never materialized.^[13]

Sources:^{[14][15][16][17]}

In 1988, American funk-metal band, Living Colour released their single Cult of Personality. The single charted at 13 on the US Billboard and is ranked at 69 on VH1's top 100 rock song list. Within the video, there are clips of political speeches, from Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The video has clips of Living Colour performing the song on the Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum stage.^[18]

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

• Auburn Arena
• Jordan–Hare Stadium
• Samford Stadium – Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park

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

• Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum at AuburnTigers.com