| Stadium Name: | Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum |
| Location: | Coliseum Dr Auburn, AL 36832 |
| Broke Ground: | 1968 |
| Opened: | January 11, 1969 |
| Closed: | 2010 (for intercollegiate competition) |
| Operator: | Auburn University |
| 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) |
| Construction Cost: | $6.03 Million |
| Former Names: | Memorial Coliseum (1969–1987) Joel H. Eaves Memorial Coliseum (1987–1993) |
| Seating Capacity: | 10,500 |
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.
The architect of the building was Sherlock, Smith & Adams of Montgomery, who also designed Garrett Coliseum.[2] The contractor was Jones and Hardy, Contractors of Montevallo.
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]
| Rolling Stones | November 14, 1969 | 3 hours late performing. | |
| Chuck Berry | November 14, 1969 | ||
| B.B. King | November 14, 1969 | ||
| Steppenwolf | April 23, 1970 | ||
| Neil Diamond | May 15, 1970 | ||
| Chicago | January 22, 1971 | ||
| The Allman Brothers Band | February 12, 1972 | ||
| Rod Stewart | April 25, 1972 | ||
| Elton John | October 18, 1973 | ||
| Elvis Presley | March 5, 1974 | Sold out | |
| The Doobie Brothers | May 9, 1974 | ||
| James Taylor | April 30, 1976 | ||
| Bruce Springsteen | May 11, 1976 | ||
| Gordon Lightfoot | February 11, 1977 | ||
| Jimmy Buffett | April 18, 1979 | Buffett was an Auburn alumnus |
| The Eagles | February 1, 1980 | ||
| Pat Benatar | February 24, 1983 | ||
| Joan Jett & The Black Hearts | May 4, 1983 | ||
| Lionel Richie with The Pointer Sisters | November 3, 1983 | ||
| Tina Turner | November 8, 1985 | Private Dancer Tour | |
| Jimmy Buffett | November 7, 1986 | ||
| R.E.M. | November 23, 1987 | ||
| Whitney Houston | December 1, 1987 | Moment of Truth World Tour | |
| Jimmy Buffett | January 25, 1990 | ||
| Lenny Kravitz | February 11, 1992 | ||
| The Cult | February 11, 1992 | ||
| Widespread Panic | February 18, 1994 | ||
| Alan Jackson | March 4, 1994 | ||
| Dave Matthews Band | April 27, 1994 | ||
| Reba McEntire | April 29, 1994 | ||
| Blues Travelers | April 19, 1995 | ||
| Dishwalla & Gin Blossoms | April 19, 1996 | "Congratulations I'm Sorry" Tour | |
| Widespread Panic | November 4, 1996 | ||
| Third Eye Blind | October 30, 1998 |
| Third Day & Tait | October 9, 2002 | "Come Together" Tour | |
| 3 Doors Down | October 25, 2002 | ||
| Akon | April 9, 2008 | ||
| September 29, 2008 | |||
| TobyMac & Skillet | March 28, 2010 | ||
| Luke Bryan | November 18, 2011 | ||
| Luke Bryan | October 5, 2012 | ||
| Dierks Bentley | November 2, 2012 | ||
| Rascal Flatts | January 24, 2014 | ||
| Thomas Rhett | January 25, 2014 |
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.
On March 25–27, 1971, the Memorial Coliseum hosted the 41st Annual NCAA Wrestling Championships.
In May 1973, Muhammad Ali gave a speech at the Coliseum in which he said "It is refreshing to see so many people of all nationalities and races all here in unity in a place like Alabama." [18] Comedian and actor Bob Hope performed a show on October 25, 1974. The Coliseum hosted the university's spring and fall Commencement ceremony until 2010. Then sitting Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney gave the Spring 2004 address, former Auburn football player Bo Jackson gave the Spring 2009 address, and Tim Cook, Auburn graduate and then chief operating officer of Apple Inc., gave the address at the last ceremony held in the Coliseum in spring 2010.