Not so long ago, college sports programs were engaged in an arms race when it came to facilities.

But things have changed.

“Now, in the transfer portal and NIL (Name Image and Likeness) Era, they hold less of an importance,” UAB men’s basketball coach Andy Kennedy said of his home court, Bartow Arena. A $14.6 million renovation being planned for Bartow Arena is more about pleasing the home folks.

“For us, I think it’s important because the facility needs updating and we need to create a fan experience that the Birmingham community and UAB want to be a part of.

“If you do that, you’re going to have more fans wanting to come to your games, thereby creating a home court advantage that certainly helps you on the court.”

The University of Alabama System board of trustees established the budget and scope of Bartow Arena renovations, voting unanimously in favor of Stage II project approval. With this approval, UAB Athletics is authorized to negotiate an agreement with an architect.

“Our proposed renovations would make Bartow one of the most visible, accommodating and inviting basketball and volleyball venues in the American Conference,” UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram said. “I am grateful for the unwavering support of the UA System board of trustees and UAB leadership under President Watts’ vision for excellence, as well as our donors and fans who continue to champion UAB Athletics.”

Speaking with BirminghamWatch, Kennedy recalled that his first game at UAB, in December 1988, after transferring from North Carolina State, was the first game played at the venerable stadium, named in honor of the school’s first men’s basketball coach and athletic director, Gene Bartow.

“The arena has certainly stood the test of time and created a lot of magical moments for Blazer Nation,” Kennedy said. “But it’s time now to take it to another level as it relates to fan experience. We want to be able to give our fans a first-class experience, and these renovations are the next step in making that a reality.”

The renovation is intended to feature four primary components:

• Entrance lobby expansion.
• Club-level lounge and club-level seating for enhanced viewing experience.
• Replacement of some lower bowl seating with new seating to elevate fan experience.
• Concourse improvements including lighting and updated restrooms.

Provided UAB Athletics reaches its fundraising goals, the project is anticipated to break ground following UAB’s spring 2026 commencement ceremonies.

Kennedy said the renovations will yield a new Bartow Arena.

“They’re putting a substantial amount of money in it and just trying to give it a facelift, so to speak,” the Blazer men’s coach said. “I think that when they are completed, it will look like a new arena, but hopefully it’ll still contain that Bartow magic.

“In our time here, we’ve been really fortunate that we’ve won over 80% of our games in this building on the home court,” Kennedy said. “It’s certainly been a definitive homecourt advantage for us.”

Bartow Arena is also the home court for UAB women’s basketball and women’s indoor volleyball.

Additional information about the Bartow Arena renovation project and ways to support it will be made available throughout the upcoming year.

For more information, or to pledge your support of the Bartow Arena project, call the Blazer Boosters office at 205-996-9969.