The Wolfpacker's No. 8 story of the decade: The renovation of Reynolds
Throughout the week, The Wolfpacker will be enumerating its choices for the top 10 stories of the past decade that was in NC State athletics.
Related link: No. 10 - The hiring of Kevin Keatts
Related link: No. 9 - Winning the rivalry in football
The countdown continues with No. 8:
No. 8: The Renovation Of Reynolds
Last March, NC State basketball fans found some help in getting over watching its team bubble burst on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. The assistance was provided by an old friend: Reynolds Coliseum.
For three games, the magic was back in the Old Barn. NC State hosted a trio of NIT contests in its old home for men’s basketball, but it looked nothing like the venerable Reynolds of yesteryear.
One of former NC State director of athletics’ Debbie Yow’s top objective early in her tenure was to complete an extensive renovation of the building. The result was a $35 million project, which the university footed $15 million upfront for athletics, an unprecedented move on the campus’ part.
The arena portion of the stadium effectively slid down, while the open space created on the north end was transformed into a magnificent hall that includes offices and the newly established NC State Athletic Hall of Fame. Fresh paint, new windows and other cosmetic touches completed a stunning visual success.
The arena now offers a first-class facility for women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball and gymnastics (as well as the occasional men’s basketball game).
It also bears the name of one of the most legendary figures in NC State basketball history. A group of Wolfpack supporters came together to donate $5 million to name the arena after Jim Valvano, and the dedication occurred in 2018. The court bears the name of Kay Yow, after NC State’s Hall of Fame women’s basketball coach.
One of Yow’s final duties as NC State’s AD was helping to organize the NIT in 2019 when the Pack hosted three games — wins over Hofstra and Harvard and a close loss to eventual finalist Lipscomb. One cannot help but wonder the pride Yow had watching her vision for Reynolds in its full glory.
In November, we recorded a podcast with unofficial NC State sports historian Tim Peeler on the history of Reynolds Coliseum. You can listen to that podcast below.
Photo galleries of the renovations
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