Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Basketball Arena Naming Sparks Controversy
Adam Buckallew, CAFNR Corner Post Staff

April 5, 2004 - The University of Missouri recently announced the name of its new multi-million dollar basketball arena. The arena is to be called Paige Sports Arena, named after Elizabeth Paige Laurie, a communications major at the University of Southern California. Bill and Nancy Laurie, Elizabeth Laurie's parents, donated $25 million to jump-start construction of the $75 million basketball arena.

The Laurie family gained control of the naming rights to the arena in part of the agreement that the university made when it accepted the money.

Bill and Nancy Laurie said in a statement: "As supporters of education and athletics, we are proud of our association with the University of Missouri. As parents, we are very proud of our daughter, Paige. So we could not be happier that the university would combine those two important parts of our lives in naming this new facility the Paige Sports Arena."

The decision to name the arena for their 22-year-old daughter has caught criticism from alumni and students. The new name goes against Missouri tradition that uses an honoree's last name in the title of most campus buildings. Students feel that the use of the family name would be more appropriate.

"Mizzou is selling out," sophomore agricultural journalism major Brett Wessler said. "The new arena will be nice, but no one will respect the plaque inside dedicating the new arena to their daughter who goes to USC. Respect, tradition, Paige Sports Arena. Thanks dad."

"I agree with the right to name the arena because of the money," Eric Eisleben, a sophomore majoring in agricultural business, said, "but I would have preferred Laurie Sports Arena. Using the family name would make more sense."

Kevin Reynolds, a junior majoring in agricultural economics, said, "It seems like the Lauries should have some say in what the arena is named, but because they only donated a third of the money needed to build it, I don't think they should have the exclusive naming privileges. It is Mizzou's arena, not the Lauries, and therefore the name should represent the university, and not some hussy in California."

There are also students who see nothing wrong with the new arena's name.

"I don't see what the big fuss is about," Ryan Beumer, a junior majoring in agricultural economics, said. "The arena wouldn't be built if it weren't for that money, so I think any name they pick would be appropriate."

"I think a better name could have been chosen," John Cordia, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, said. "but the university signed off their right to the name, so the Lauries should be able to name it what they want."

As part of their agreement with the university, the Lauries will also receive a 24-seat luxury suite at center court, six tickets of their choice for any arena event, and a second suite for eight events annually. The Lauries shall also have influence over events held at the new arena as long as it will be used as a sports arena.

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