AVRON B. FOGELMAN ARENA IN THE DEVLIN FIELDHOUSE
One of the most historic facilities in college athletics, Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse has been the home of the Green Wave basketball since the 1930s. One of the historic venues in college basketball underwent a transformation in 2012 with the restoration and renaming of the 85-year-old building that has been home to the Green Wave basketball and volleyball teams. Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse officially opened on Nov. 9, 2012, when the Tulane women topped Louisiana Tech, 66-59. Architects from Gould Evans, a Kansas City firm that designed the Hertz Center and Yulman Stadium, and local firm Lachin-Oubre worked with Tulane University to complete enhancements and upgrades to rediscover and highlight the building’s unique historic characteristics while creating a distinguished gameday atmosphere for the entire Green Wave community. Phase 1 of the project construction began in Spring 2012 with the addition of new bleachers and chair back seating along with new concession and merchandise stands. The acoustical ceiling was removed to reveal the original steel structure and wooden ceiling. New lighting was installed to provide television-broadcast quality light levels. The Coach’s Corner was remodeled to include an additional Club Lounge for Tulane Athletics Fund members. The entry lobby features a new ticket booth, terrazzo flooring and a graphic wall displaying historic basketball moments and court flooring.
Less than two years after the bowl appearance, on Oct. 27, 1933, Tulane Gymnasium was dedicated as part of Homecoming festivities on campus, and play began in the facility for the 1933-34 season. Tulane defeated UL-Lafayette, 38-34, in the facility’s first game on Dec. 15, 1933. Tulane Gym was one of the largest in college basketball when it opened, even though there were no court-level seats at first. Tulane played host to the 1942 NCAA East Regional in the facility. Floor-level seats were added in 1948. The Green Wave played all of its home games in the facility until the mid-1970s, when a select number of games were moved to the Louisiana Superdome. The Wave moved all of its home games back on campus again after another remodeling was completed in 1981-82. Fogelman in Devlin also underwent renovations during the fall of 2001 when the floor was refurbished and air conditioning was added for the first time. In 2003 the Fieldhouse again received upgrades as locker rooms were remodeled. Retractable bleachers were also installed to offer more court space for practices. The Green Wave volleyball team also got an upgraded locker room. In 2007, the facility received a new floor, scoreboard and exterior signage.
Phase 2 of the construction was completed prior to the 2014 volleyball season. This phase increased the number of restrooms, plus the addition of new visitor locker rooms, officials’ locker room and a laundry facility.
In 1982, the arena was the site of the National Association of Basketball Coaches AllStar Game in conjunction with Tulane’s hosting of the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Tulane hosted the event again in 1993 and 2012, along with the 3-point and slam dunk competitions.
The building originally opened on Dec. 15, 1933, and is currently the ninth-oldest active basketball venue in the nation.
Fogelman in Devlin played host to the Conference USA Women’s Basketball Tournament in 1999 and 2009.
Original construction of the facility was funded by the Green Wave football team’s appearance in the 1932 Rose Bowl. In fact, the facility was unofficially referred to as
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“Rose Bowl Gym” back in its early days.
