Renovations To Bring Refreshed Home Arena For ORU Golden Eagles

It’s been 39 years since the last renovation of the Mabee Center, so it’s out with the iconic gold seats – and in with the blue.

Wednesday, July 7th 2021, 10:36 pm

By: Daniel Hawk

TULSA, Oklahoma -

The ORU Golden Eagles are getting a refreshed home arena fitting for a team that made a miracle run in this year's tournament.

It’s been 39 years since the last renovation of the Mabee Center, so it’s out with the iconic gold seats – and in with the blue.

The Golden Eagles hope to keep their momentum going after their Sweet 16 run this past March in the NCAA Tournament.

"I think the renovations is a testament to our players and them putting in the work and the school wanting to get behind them and show in these types of ways," said ORU Head Coach Paul Mills.

Incoming transfer from OU, guard Trey Phipps, is familiar with the Mabee Center - he played there in two state title games with Booker T Washington, winning one gold ball.

"It will be a little different from when I was growing up, walking in here seeing the upgrades to the score board,” Phipps said. “It will be pretty special.”

The sharpshooting guard could have stayed in Norman, but he said it only took ten seconds with Mills to convince him to come back to Tulsa.

"It was 9:30 in the morning the day I hit the portal, and he called me. As soon as I saw Coach Mills’ name come up, the decision was already made,” Phipps said. “I love the city of Tulsa, so I'm really looking forward to it and representing it and hopefully being able to contribute a bunch more wins.”

ORU’s new arena will welcome back one of its star leaders, Max Abmas, for the next season. Abmas withdrew from the NBA draft and announced his return to the Golden Eagles Wednesday night.