OU Credit Union O'rena explained

Stadium Name:OU Credit Union O'rena
Coordinates:42.674°N -83.2132°W
Location:Oakland University
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Broke Ground:1996[1]
Opened:November 16, 1998
Owner:Oakland University
Operator:Oakland University
Surface:Hardwood
Construction Cost:$32 million[2]
($ in dollars)
Architect:TMP Architecture, Inc.
Tenants:Oakland University
Men's and Women's Basketball
Volleyball
Seating Capacity:4,000[3]

OU Credit Union O'rena is a 4,000-seat[4] multi-purpose arena in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is home to the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball teams. The court has a distinctive "blacktop" color first used in the 2015–16 season.[5]

History

The facility opened November 17, 1998, with a 96–66 loss to Michigan State University[6] in men's basketball. The opening of the O'rena coincided with Oakland's move from Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to Division I.

On April 17, 2023, Oakland University Athletics announced that they had signed a 10-year naming rights deal with Oakland University Credit Union. The naming rights deal began on July 1.[7]

Attendance

Largest attendance
Date Opponent Attendance
Jan 13, 2017 Detroit Mercy 4,123
Feb 26, 2016 Detroit Mercy 4,114
Jan 8, 2016 Valparaiso 4,110
Feb 15, 2015 Detroit Mercy 4,101
Feb 14, 2014 Detroit Mercy 4,065

The O'rena attendance record is 4,123, set January 13, 2017, against the University of Detroit Mercy. There have been seven other crowds over 4,000: 4,114 vs. Detroit (2015–16), 4,110 vs. Valparaiso (2015–16), 4,101 vs. Detroit (2014–15), 4,065 vs. Detroit (2013–14), 4,063 vs. Georgia (2016–17), 4,055 vs. University of Missouri (2003–04) and 4,034 vs. Oral Roberts University (2009–10).[8]

Power Five conference opponents

Oakland has a 4–2 record all-time against Power Five conference schools at home.[9] They have defeated Michigan (2000–01 season), Texas A&M (2003–04), Tennessee (2011–12) and Georgia (2016–17) since the arena opened in 1998.[10]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oakland University Official Athletic Site – Facilities . Ougrizzlies.com . February 14, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120117145834/http://www.ougrizzlies.com/facilities/athletics-center-orena.html . January 17, 2012 . dead .
  2. Web site: Oakland University, Recreation & Athletic Center - Project Details . Schooldesigns.com . January 23, 2012.
  3. Web site: Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Official Athletic Site. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141024222626/http://www.goldengrizzlies.com/facilities/orena-mbb.html . 2014-10-24 .
  4. Web site: Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Official Athletic Site. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141024222626/http://www.goldengrizzlies.com/facilities/orena-mbb.html . 2014-10-24 .
  5. Web site: Oakland U. Unveils its new 'blacktop' basketball court.
  6. http://bbpassport.com/game/1998-11-17-msu-oak{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  7. Web site: Oakland University sells naming rights to O'Rena for $5 million . Tony . Paul . Detroit News . April 18, 2023 . April 24, 2024.
  8. Web site: Oakland–Detroit Postgame Notes . Oakland University . February 26, 2016 . February 29, 2016 . March 7, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307002708/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/oakl/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/release/release_20160225aaa.pdf . dead .
  9. Web site: Big second half lifts Oakland over Georgia . Geoff . Robinson . Detroit News . December 24, 2016 . December 27, 2016.
  10. Web site: Georgia Game Notes . Oakland University . December 27, 2016 . December 28, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161228032721/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/oakl/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/release/release_20161223aaa.pdf . dead .