The University of Texas at Austin’s new basketball arena and events center will be named Moody Center in acknowledgement of a $130 million grant to the university from the Moody Foundation.
The university says the grant to support Texas Athletics is the single largest gift from a foundation in the university’s history and brings to more than $200 million the donations to UT Austin from the foundation.
Previously, the organization contributed $50 million to support the Moody College of Communication and $20 million to upgrade the exterior spaces at the Blanton Museum of Art.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Moody Center will be held Dec. 3. It is expected to open in 2022.
“When the Moody Center opens, it will be the finest college basketball arena in the country, hands down, as well as an unbelievable concert and entertainment venue for the entire city of Austin,” says Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris Del Conte.
The Moody Center will replace the 42-year-old Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center, which will make way for the future expansion of the Dell Medical School.
The 10,000-seat arena will provide an intimate men’s and women’s Longhorn basketball fan experience and feature student seating surrounding the court. The new arena's design willl accommodate an expansion to 15,000 seats and will provide a venue for touring concerts and shows.
