OU Credit Union O'rena

OU Credit Union O'rena is a 4,000-seat^[1] multi-purpose arena in Auburn Hills, Michigan with a Rochester mailing address. 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]

OU Credit Union O'rena

O'rena in 2009
Former names	Athletics Center O'rena (1998–2023)
Location	Oakland University Auburn Hills, Michigan
Coordinates	42.673972°N 83.213158°W / 42.673972; -83.213158
Owner	Oakland University
Operator	Oakland University
Capacity	4,000[1]
Surface	Hardwood
Construction
Broke ground	1996[2]
Opened	November 16, 1998
Construction cost	$32 million[3] ($59.8 million in 2023 dollars[4])
Architect	TMP Architecture, Inc.[3]
Tenants
Oakland University Men's and Women's Basketball Volleyball

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

• List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas

References

1. "Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on 2014-10-24.
2. "Oakland University Official Athletic Site – Facilities". Ougrizzlies.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
3. "Oakland University, Recreation & Athletic Center - Project Details". Schooldesigns.com. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
4. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
5. "Oakland U. Unveils its new 'blacktop' basketball court".
6. http://bbpassport.com/game/1998-11-17-msu-oak%5B%5D
7. Paul, Tony (April 18, 2023). "Oakland University sells naming rights to O'Rena for $5 million". Detroit News. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
8. "Oakland–Detroit Postgame Notes" (PDF). Oakland University. February 26, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
9. Robinson, Geoff (December 24, 2016). "Big second half lifts Oakland over Georgia". Detroit News. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
10. "Georgia Game Notes" (PDF). Oakland University. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.