Historical Question

[Nighthawk]

When did the Bob Devaney Sports Center take that name?  I honestly don't recall it being called anything, else but some guy says it was the 90s before it took that name. They are saying it was originally called the Nebraska Sports Center.  Figure with some of you going to basketball as long as you have, you'd know. 

 

Thanks!

[Bugeaters1]

1 minute ago, Nighthawk said:

When did the Bob Devaney Sports Center take that name?  I honestly don't recall it being called anything, else but some guy says it was the 90s before it took that name. They are saying it was originally called the Nebraska Sports Center.  Figure with some of you going to basketball as long as you have, you'd know. 

 

Thanks!

It has always been named after Bob Devaney. Tell your friend to kick rocks.

 

 

[cipsucks]

Devaney's name didn't go on it for several years after it opened.  It was like the Sports Complex.  Not sure what year they named it after Bob, but had to be the early 80's.

[HuskerFever]

The place built by cigarettes, one pack at a time.

[AuroranHusker]

It was originally the Nebraska Sports Complex, but not too long after opening it was renamed the Bob Devaney Sports Complex for renowned basketball coach Bob Devaney.  

 

 

Edited January 31, 2023 by AuroranHusker

[Nighthawk]

28 minutes ago, AuroranHusker said:

It was originally the Nebraska Sports Complex, but not too long after opening it was renamed the Bob Devaney Sports Complex for renowned basketball coach Bob Devaney.  

 

 

Bet Basketball Coach Devaney had a better record than Coach H.

[AuroranHusker]

12 minutes ago, Nighthawk said:

Bet Basketball Coach Devaney had a better record than Coach H.

 

He would've motivated the hell outta them. 

[HuskerFever]

We all know Devaney crawled out of his grave when they announced beer sales at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

 

For all we know, he may even stop cursing our men's athletic programs once they start serving beer at Memorial Stadium.

[49r]

2 hours ago, cipsucks said:

Devaney's name didn't go on it for several years after it opened.  It was like the Sports Complex.  Not sure what year they named it after Bob, but had to be the early 80's.

 

According to Wikipedia it was originally called the NU Sports Complex and later renamed Bob Devaney Sports Center (Although a Nebraska basketball media guide does not acknowledge it was ever named anything but BDSC:  https://nebraska_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/pdf9/832868.pdf)

 

A Wikipedia article indicates that the name was BDSC when hosting the midwest regional in 1980

 

So depending on how much value you place in the accuracy of Wikipedia, the name was changed from NU Sports Complex to BDSC sometime between '77 and '80.

 

I'm sure if someone was willing to dig into LJS or OWH archives from those 3 or 4 years they would be able to find the exact year the place was re-named.

[Chuck Taylor]

Nebraska wouldn't allow a building to be named after a living person, so a bill had to be pushed through the Legislature to change it. Officially changed to Bob Devaney Sports Center in November 1978.

[49r]

7 minutes ago, Chuck Taylor said:

Nebraska wouldn't allow a building to be named after a living person, so a bill had to be pushed through the Legislature to change it. Officially changed to Bob Devaney Sports Center in November 1978.

 

[Dead Dog Alley]

18 hours ago, 49r said:

 

According to Wikipedia it was originally called the NU Sports Complex and later renamed Bob Devaney Sports Center (Although a Nebraska basketball media guide does not acknowledge it was ever named anything but BDSC:  https://nebraska_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/pdf9/832868.pdf)

 

A Wikipedia article indicates that the name was BDSC when hosting the midwest regional in 1980

 

So depending on how much value you place in the accuracy of Wikipedia, the name was changed from NU Sports Complex to BDSC sometime between '77 and '80.

 

I'm sure if someone was willing to dig into LJS or OWH archives from those 3 or 4 years they would be able to find the exact year the place was re-named.

 

The words "DEVANEY CENTER" only appeared on the basketball court itself when Danny Nee took over.  He knew where his bread was buttered.  Danny did ace the interview with Bob, though, which consisted of going out on the town and getting lit up.

 

[Cazzie22]

43 minutes ago, Dead Dog Alley said:

 

The words "DEVANEY CENTER" only appeared on the basketball court itself when Danny Nee took over.  He knew where his bread was buttered.  Danny did ace the interview with Bob, though, which consisted of going out on the town and getting lit up.

 

Ever wonder what Nebraska Basketball would have been like if Devaney chose Bob Huggins from Akron instead?

[HuskerCager]

I love history questions.  Seems like Chuck Taylor gets the prize.

Edited February 1, 2023 by HuskerCager

[hhcmatt]

On 1/30/2023 at 7:14 PM, 49r said:

 

According to Wikipedia it was originally called the NU Sports Complex and later renamed Bob Devaney Sports Center (Although a Nebraska basketball media guide does not acknowledge it was ever named anything but BDSC:  https://nebraska_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/pdf9/832868.pdf)

 

A Wikipedia article indicates that the name was BDSC when hosting the midwest regional in 1980

 

So depending on how much value you place in the accuracy of Wikipedia, the name was changed from NU Sports Complex to BDSC sometime between '77 and '80.

 

I'm sure if someone was willing to dig into LJS or OWH archives from those 3 or 4 years they would be able to find the exact year the place was re-named.

 

 

1976-77 Media guide, referred to as "NU Sports Center Arena"

 

1977-78 Media guide is where it was referred to as "NU Sports Complex Arena"

[Handy Johnson]

The should’ve name the American Legion on 48th & “O” after Bob Devaney. 

[Nighthawk]

Thanks everyone.  Learned something new.