TIMMONS ARENA
In 1998 Furman University athletics entered a new era with the opening of Timmons Arena, the school's on-campus, multipurpose facility.
The 100,000 square-foot arena, which seats 5,000 people for basketball and 6,000 for concerts and other school and community activities, serves as the home of the university's football and men's and women's basketball programs.
In addition to featuring two regulation-size basketball courts, the facility includes offices and locker room facilities, offices for sports information, a complete sports medicine facility, and a 7,000 square-foot strength and conditioning center that serves the university's entire 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program. Arena seating is chair-back style and is collapsible to allow the available floor space to be used for a variety of activities.
The lead gift of $4 million for the facility was provided by longtime Furman supporters William R. Timmons, Jr. '49, Jean Timmons Pelham '42, and Charlie and Kitty Wells '48 Timmons. Bill, Jean, and Charlie are children of the late William R. Timmons '14.
The decision to move forward with the arena was driven by the closing of Memorial Auditorium, the downtown Greenville facility that served as Furman's basketball home for 38 years.
Located just southeast of the home stands at Paladin Stadium, Timmons Arena features a main entrance and wings made of brick, with the rear constructed of split face block and insulated metal panels. Stanmar Inc. of Stanbury, Mass., which specializes in constructing athletic facilities, was the designer and builder at a cost of $10.9 million.
At groundbreaking ceremonies in August of 1996, President David Shi noted that "many Furman supporters have long dreamed of having such an arena on campus. Now, thanks to the generous financial contributions of people like the Timmons family, it is going to happen."
Mindful of what Timmons Arena means to Furman basketball, head coach Jeff Jackson said, "The impact Timmons Arena has on our basketball program and the university at large is phenomenal. It gives us a true home court advantage and greatly assists us in recruiting and in scheduling."
Besides serving as the home for the school's football and basketball programs, Timmons Arena eases overcrowding in the Athletic Building and in the Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center (PAC), which currently serves as the home of the Department of Health and Exercise Science, student recreational and intramural sports, and fitness center.
The decision to move forward with the arena was driven by the closing of Memorial Auditorium, the downtown Greenville facility that served as Furman's basketball home for 38 years.
Located just southeast of the home stands at Paladin Stadium, Timmons Arena features a main entrance and wings made of brick, with the rear constructed of split face block and insulated metal panels. Stanmar Inc. of Stanbury, Mass., which specializes in constructing athletic facilities, was the designer and builder at a cost of $10.9 million.
