BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees established the budget and scope of Bartow Arena renovations, voting unanimously in favor of Stage II project approval Friday. With this approval, UAB Athletics is now authorized to negotiate an agreement with an architect.
 
“Our proposed renovations would make Bartow one of the most visible, accommodating and inviting basketball and volleyball venues in the American Conference,” said UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. “I am grateful for the unwavering support of the UA System Board of Trustees and UAB leadership under President Watts’ vision for excellence, as well as our donors and fans who continue to champion UAB Athletics.”
 
The $14.6 million Bartow Arena renovation project is intended to feature four main components:

• Entrance lobby expansion
• Club-level lounge and club-level seating for enhanced viewing experience
• Replacement of some lower bowl seating with new seating to elevate fan experience
• Concourse improvements including lighting and updated restrooms

Pending UAB Athletics reaching fundraising goals and additional UA System Board of Trustee approvals, the project is anticipated to break ground following the completion of UAB’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies.
 
Bartow Arena is home to the UAB men’s and women’s intercollegiate basketball programs as well as the women’s volleyball program. The renovation project is designed to support and boost the visibility of these programs while enhancing the spectator experience.
 
“It is truly exciting to take these important steps toward approval of the Bartow Arena renovation plans,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach Andy Kennedy, whose team has been one of the nation’s winningest programs over the last five years with 125 wins and four consecutive conference championship game appearances. “We are 74-15 in Bartow in recent years, and renovations would increase our home court advantage even more. I am very grateful and appreciative to all who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.”
 
“We’re incredibly excited and grateful to receive Stage II approval of the Bartow Arena renovation plans,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Randy Norton. “This project represents a major investment in our student-athletes, our fans, and the future of UAB Basketball. The enhancements would have a huge impact on recruiting, player development, and the overall game day experience for fans. We can’t thank our trustees, administration and supporters enough for their commitment to excellence.”
 
“The Bartow Arena renovation project would make a huge impact on the volleyball program,” said Head Volleyball Coach Betsy Freeburg. “It would not only continue to elevate the experience for our growing fan base, but also make an immediate impact for our student-athletes. We are excited about the opportunity to continue developing and competing for AAC Championships.”
 
Additional information about the Bartow Arena renovation project and ways to support will be made available throughout the upcoming year.
 
For more information, or to pledge your support of the Bartow Arena project, call the Blazer Boosters office at 205-996-9969.
 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 6, 2025) – The USA Volleyball Foundation, the philanthropic arm of USA Volleyball, announced today its combination with the First Point Volleyball Foundation. As part of this strategic alignment, many First Point Foundation board members will join the USA Volleyball Foundation board. Additionally, the USA Volleyball Foundation will assume all of First Point’s assets and honor its existing grant commitments.

In conjunction with this announcement, USA Volleyball and the USA Volleyball Foundation jointly announced the establishment of the First Point Volleyball Specialty Fund, a restricted fund within the USAV Foundation dedicated to the growth and development of boys and men’s volleyball. Concurrently, the boards of USA Volleyball and the USA Volleyball Foundation approved new bylaws expanding the USAV Foundation’s board to accommodate up to 45 members. The expanded board will oversee a growing platform of specialty funds to advance the sport, support USA Volleyball’s mission, and drive broader engagement across the volleyball community.

USA Volleyball Chief Advancement Officer Wade Garard has been elected president of the USA Volleyball Foundation. Mark Peterson will continue to serve as chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and Marin Gjaja, who served on the First Point board since its inception in 2017, most recently as chairman, has been appointed vice chairman of the USAV Foundation.

“We are pleased to welcome Wade (Garard) as president of the Foundation and Marin (Gjaja) as a vice chairman,” said Mark Peterson, chairman of the USAV Foundation. “Their leadership provides an opportunity for the Foundation to ramp up our fundraising in advance of LA 2028 and USAV’s Centennial in 2028.”

“As the USAV Foundation prepares for a comprehensive capital campaign in the run-up to LA28, it is exciting to be joined by a talented and committed group of generous volunteers and philanthropists dedicated to supporting USA Volleyball and the greater volleyball community through their service and giving to the USAV Foundation,” Garard said. “On behalf of USAV, I welcome the First Point leadership and donors to continue making an impact as we all grow the sport within the structure and support of the USAV Foundation.”

“We are excited to augment the philanthropic and advocacy work of the USAV Foundation to provide more support to USAV and more philanthropic dollars to advance all aspects of the sport,” Gjaja said. “For eight years, we worked closely with Wade (Garard) and John (Speraw) to grow the sport with boys and men. Now we look forward to helping USAV grow and advance the entire sport.”

“USAV has been a partner of First Point since the beginning, and so it is only fitting that the organizations combine to make an impact,” said USA Volleyball President and CEO John Speraw. “Growing boys volleyball remains a priority for USAV and our Foundation, and so I am thrilled that Marin (Gjaja), Josh (Silverman), Sarah (Conklin), Kenny (Rogers) and others are continuing their incredible efforts to grow the boys game. I believe we can enlist passionate groups of volunteers and donors to grow other aspects of the sport, such as women’s, girls, para, beach, and look to what the First Point board has accomplished as an example of how to galvanize communities and create more opportunities through philanthropy and advocacy.”

Garard announced that a First Point Boys Volleyball Advocacy Council will advise the USAV Foundation’s Board of Directors on how to raise and deploy funds from the Foundation’s First Point Specialty Fund. Kenny Rogers and Sarah Conklin will co-chair USAVF’s First Point Advocacy Council. Conklin and Rogers will also continue their efforts leading the First Point National Committee to grow high school boys volleyball. For further information on how to grow high school boys volleyball in your state, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

“Kenny and Sarah and First Point committees in all 50 states have done a tremendous job growing high school boys volleyball with 11 more states sanctioning the sport in the last five years,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Karch Kiraly. “Luka Slabe and I were pleased to be included in the inaugural First Point High School Boys Invitational last month and even more pleased that First Point’s leadership group is now joining the USA Volleyball Foundation Board and Advocacy Council. It is an honor to serve alongside these volunteers to grow boys volleyball. How fitting that First Point is now officially powered by USAV.”

The USAV Foundation board also authorized the formation of a College Volleyball Advocacy Council which shall focus on creating more opportunities and exposure, monitoring the changing landscape of college athletics, maintaining relationships with NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, NCVF and other collegiate governing organizations, conferences, etc., and advocating for athlete rights/conditions for women’s college indoor volleyball, men’s college indoor volleyball, and women’s and men’s college beach volleyball.

The combination, which closed on May 31, 2025, includes USAV Foundation acquiring the marks and assets of First Point. Through ongoing and new philanthropic support of USAVF’s First Point Specialty Fund, USAV looks to augment and grow the First Point Collegiate Challenge and First Point National High School Boys Invitational, and will maintain the First Point brand as an effort specifically to grow boys and men’s volleyball.

To get involved with the USA Volleyball Foundation or one of its committees or advocacy councils, please contact Wade Garard at [email protected].

USA Volleyball Foundation (USAVF) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising arm of USA Volleyball (USAV), dedicated to transforming lives through the power of philanthropy and the sport of volleyball. The Foundation galvanizes communities, inspires youth, provides opportunities, empowers athletes, and creates harmony through volleyball. The Foundation does this through philanthropy, advocacy, and service. USAVF (EIN #84-1412045) is a nonprofit organization established in the state of Colorado and is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Thus, contributions are fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. No goods or services are provided in exchange for contributions.

First Point Volleyball is now an arm of the USA Volleyball Foundation dedicated to providing more opportunities for boys and men through the sport of volleyball. The First Point Advocacy Council advises the USAVF Board of Directors on raising and deploying funds to the USAVF’s First Point Fund to Grow Boys and Men’s Volleyball. For more information about growing boys volleyball in America, contact Kenny Rogers or Sarah Conklin.