Bruce Pearl uses NIL to advocate for new practice facility at Auburn

Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl has led the program to new heights over recent seasons, making a Final Four appearance while continually landing top recruits and producing NBA draft picks. In his bid to help make the Tigers’ athletic department part of an “everything school,” he has pushed for investment across the board.

Bruce Pearl has made his desire for the next renovation at Auburn to be a new practice facility for some time now. However as other projects continued through the COVID-19 pandemic and the NCAA’s decision to allow NIL diverted attention and financial support, the plans were put on hold.

“We need a new practice facility,” said Pearl. “We really do.”

Neville Arena opened in 2010 and remains one of the best college basketball venues in the country with great student section support. However, it is also the host venue for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics throughout the year.

While the exterior and seating match up with any school in the country, only two available courts make the practice schedule a jumbled game of Tetris.

Bruce Pearl on practice facility, NIL

Bruce Pearl continued talking about the issues he and other coaches face every day inside the current practice facility, citing a harmful side effect which could create concern and kickstart momentum toward change.

“Take today for example, we’re in here,” said Pearl. “Why are we in here? Because volleyball’s got the court this week because they’ve got at least one or two games. … We’ve got to split the gym. So today I can’t get on the floor until 4:30 p.m., practice time is basically 2-6 p.m., morning 8-2 p.m. is academics. And then typically at 6 p.m. at night, that’s their time to study and for dinner. So today I go at 4:30 p.m., tomorrow I don’t get on the floor until 5 p.m. – I actually wanted to go recruiting tomorrow night. But I can’t go recruiting tomorrow night because I can’t practice until 5 p.m., normally if I could’ve gone in and had a practice – maybe leave a little bit early – I could get to Atlanta and see a practice. I can’t do it.

“I’m not complaining, that’s just the reality of it. We have three teams that are in here on a regular basis and only two courts. And then gymnastics comes in, and then everybody else comes in using the facility. We need a new court. But if we don’t get the NIL thing right it doesn’t matter how many practice courts I have. So it’s my way of saying, let’s take care of lot’s of it. … As you guys know, by rule, I’m allowed to encourage people to support NIL and support our student athletes and that’s all I can really say.”