Twenty-two years ago on Jan. 25, 1997, UAB’s arena was formally rededicated as Gene Bartow Arena in honor of the university’s founding athletic director — a position in which he served for 18 years before retiring in 1996. He began as UAB Men’s Basketball coach, leading the team to the National Invitation Tournament in 1980, when the program was just two years old. He followed that with seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
UAB Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams launched their 2018-19 seasons from Bartow Arena in October, and their winning traditions continue. Watch Men’s Basketball take on Middle Tennessee at home 7 p.m. Feb. 2, and Women’s Basketball do the same 11 a.m. Jan. 24. Tickets are available online at uabsports.com.