For the first time since the venue opened, the Coliseum in Morgantown has a new name. WVU Athletics and Hope Gas signed off on a 10-year partnership on Thursday, renaming the basketball arena to Hope Coliseum. Read more: Hope Gas Earns Naming Rights to WVU Coliseum
Groundbreaking Announcement
Since opening the doors to the public in 1970, the venue has been known as the WVU Coliseum. The 14,000-seat venue has been home to several iconic moments in WVU Athletics history. Upsets of ranked teams, marquee basketball and Olympic sport spectacles, and other events have graced the floor in the domed building.
All-time Mountaineer greats such as Deuce McBride, JJ Quinerly, Bob Huggins, and others called the WVU Coliseum home. This is a groundbreaking announcement regarding an iconic venue in the Mountain State.
About the Sponsor
Hope Gas is one of the most well-known energy companies in the area, contributing to the university city for years. They have been in business for 125 years and recently sponsored changes to the WVU water tower in Morgantown.
Exclusive Insight
The initial reaction within the department was overwhelmingly positive when speaking with WVU’s Deputy Athletics Director Matt Wells.
“This is a huge partnership for WVU Athletics and for West Virginia University in general. The landscape of college athletics has changed and the things that we need to do as a department to remain relevant and competitive have changed.” Wells said.
In the ever-evolving world of college athletics in the NIL era, Wells makes a point.
“A big part of that [change] is continuing to identify and leverage opportunities to create and increase revenue streams.” Wells said.
The positive feeling is mutual, as an emailed statement from Hope Gas’ Erin O’Donnell showed:
“Hope Gas has been serving West Virginia homes and businesses for more than 125 years. We are proud to partner with WVU on the Hope Coliseum to continue to invest in the bright future of the Mountain State.”
Building Upon a Legacy
Over eight million people have walked into the WVU Coliseum for an event in its 55-year history. Even with the new name, tradition remains within the walls of a hallowed ground in Mountaineer lore.
The naming rights will be in the hands of Hope Gas through 2035, at a minimum. Hope President and CEO, Morgan O’Brien, praised the new partnership on Thursday.
“This partnership with WVU honors the proud heritage of West Virginia and will shine a spotlight on our future,” O’Brien said.
Related: Player Spotlight – Jaylen Henderson
This opens a new chapter in revenue streaming for Mountaineer Athletics in several ways. You can read the full press release here.
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