Foster Auditorium

About Foster Auditorium

The University of Alabama Athletics Department renovated and expanded Foster Auditorium to create a new home for the Crimson Tide's volleyball and women's basketball programs, beginning in 2011. The remodel of Foster included refurbishing the arena portion of the building with new seating both on the floor level and the second level which overlooks the court, creating an impressive competitive atmosphere.

The restoration of the venerable three-story building was completed in January of 2011 in time for the women's basketball game between Alabama and Florida on Feb. 13, 2011, when the Tide defeated the Gators 64-59.

The renovation also included suites for both programs that house the teams' locker rooms, team areas, meeting and video rooms and coaches' offices. A weight room and athletics training facilities were also included in the project.

Originally built in 1939, Foster Auditorium was named in 1942 for Richard Clarke Foster, president of the University of Alabama from 1937-41. It was the largest and most expensive of 14 buildings added to campus between 1936 and 1939 using funds from the Public Works Administration.

In its original capacity, Foster served as home for intramurals sports, graduations, concerts, lectures and campus meetings. It also served as the home of several varsity athletic programs over the years, including men's basketball from 1939-68, women's volleyball from 1974-81 and 1989-95, women's basketball, which played selected games in Foster, from 1975-81, and gymnastics from 1975-84.

Additionally, the women's athletic program, including coaches and administrative offices, was located in Foster during the 1970s through the early 1980s.

The volleyball program, which began in 1974, practiced and competed in Foster for 15 seasons (1974-81 and 1988-95). The volleyball program was the last team to leave Foster, moving to Coleman Coliseum beginning with the 1996 season. After playing four seasons (1996-99) on the main Coleman Coliseum floor, volleyball competed in the Coleman Auxiliary Volleyball Extension (CAVE) for 11 seasons (2000-10), before returning to Foster Auditorium in 2011, where the Tide won its first match back in the building, defeating Alabama State, 3-0, on August 26, 2011.

Women's basketball played 35 games in Foster from 1975-81, splitting time between Foster Auditorium and the main floor of Coleman Coliseum, until permanently moving to Coleman Coliseum from 1981-2011. Following the completion of the renovation, women's basketball played their final three home games of the 2010-11 season in Foster. They stayed there until 2016 when games moved back to Coleman Coliseum. Practices and administration continue to be housed in Foster Auditorium.