United Spirit Arena No Longer A Dream

After years of dreaming of an on-campus basketball arena, the ball finally bounced Texas Tech's way, thanks to great assists from the Lubbock community and the Tech student body.

Robert Snell, president and CEO of United Supermarkets, got the ball rolling when he presented Texas Tech Chancellor John T. Montford with a $10 million donation on Aug. 27 during a news conference on the university campus. This lead gift in a fund-raising campaign for the building is the largest single donation in the university's 73-year history.

Snell noted that United, which has found a home in Lubbock serving loyal customers, wanted to make a substantial contribution back to the area and Texas Tech.

"We feel like this is going to take a great institution to higher levels," Snell said.

Montford read a letter from Snell, noting that the $10 million donation was from the United family of employees and shoppers. The chancellor noted his determination to get the arena built and to make it the showcase of the Big 12 Conference.

"We are indeed grateful for the spirit of United," Montford said. "We've got a tremendous opportunity to move forward."

Texas Tech regent John Sims of Lubbock said the day was a landmark for the system. "I don't think I've ever been more excited that I am today," Sims said. "On behalf of the Board of Regents, I would like to say thank you to United Supermarkets."

Gerald Myers, interim athletic director, said his days as a player, coach and athletic director have been filled with thoughts of such of a facility.

"This is something I have dreamed about," Myers said. "With the completion of the United Spirit Arena, these dreams will become reality."

Marsha Sharp, head women's basketball coach, said that individual incidents propel teams and people to greatness. One person, she said of Tech great Sheryl Swoopes, helped propel the 1993 Lady Raiders team to the national championship.

"And today, I think I get the opportunity to witness that again" she said.

James Dickey, head men's basketball coach, echoed Sharp's comments, saying "It will be the finest on-campus arena in America."

The Red Raiders currently play in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum, known as "The Bubble" among Texas Tech faithful. Built in the mid-1950s, the facility seats 8,174 people.

The proposed $45-million, 12,600-seat facility will provide a venue for basketball and volleyball games, commencement exercises, convocations and other events.

United's donation was the first of many local gifts earmarked for the construction of the arena.

The proposed arena also has received funding support from Southwest Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Inc., Plains National Bank of West Texas, City Bank, McDougal Properties, SBC Foundation, and $1.2 million from combined anonymous corporate gifts and another $1 million from an anonymous donor.

Another timely assist came from the Texas Tech University student body, which overwhelmingly approved a student referendum earlier this month to contribute part of their general use fees to the project.

Texas Tech regents approved the arena's architectural plans at a formal meeting on Aug. 20, the day Montford was named chancellor overseeing a new system for Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The arena plans were presented this week to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in Austin for final approval. The facility is scheduled to be opend in November, 1988.

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