Foster Auditorium

Foster Auditorium is a multi-purpose facility on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Constructed in 1939, it originally served as the home for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball and women's basketball teams. The building is a National Historic Landmark, primarily recognized for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement during the Stand in the Schoolhouse Door in 1963.

History

Foster Auditorium was completed in 1939 during the tenure of University President Richard Clarke Foster, for whom it was named. Designed by prominent Alabama architect D. O. Whilldin, the building was conceived as a state-of-the-art venue for university events, commencement ceremonies, and athletic competitions. For decades, it was the primary home for the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball programs, hosting numerous Southeastern Conference games. Its historical significance was cemented on June 11, 1963, when Alabama Governor George Wallace staged his symbolic Stand in the Schoolhouse Door at its entrance to block the enrollment of African American students Vivian Malone and James Hood, an act defied by the federalized Alabama National Guard under orders from President John F. Kennedy.

Architecture and features

The structure is a notable example of Art Deco architecture, a style less common in the American South during its period of construction. Its design includes streamlined geometric forms, vertical piers, and stylized decorative elements characteristic of the style. The main arena originally seated approximately 6,000 spectators for sporting events. Key features included a large stage for assemblies and a distinctive vaulted ceiling. The building's most famous architectural element is the columned portico at its east entrance, which became the site of the Stand in the Schoolhouse Door. For many years, the building also housed the university's Department of Kinesiology and its R.O.T.C. programs.

Integration and naming controversy

The auditorium's legacy is inextricably linked to the struggle to desegregate the University of Alabama. While Governor George Wallace's stand was a defiant gesture for segregation, it was ultimately unsuccessful, and Vivian Malone and James Hood enrolled, with Malone becoming the university's first African American graduate. In 2005, the university's board of trustees voted to add the name of Malone to the building, officially designating it the Malone-Foster Auditorium. This decision followed years of advocacy by students and alumni who argued that honoring President Richard Clarke Foster alone ignored the building's more profound historical role in the Civil Rights Movement. The dual naming was intended to reconcile the structure's full history.

Notable events

Beyond its civil rights history, Foster Auditorium has been the site of many significant university and state events. It hosted NCAA basketball games, Southeastern Conference tournaments, and concerts. It was the venue for university commencement ceremonies for many years. The building also served as a polling place and a site for political rallies. In 2010, it was the location for a ceremony featuring United States Attorney General Eric Holder commemorating the progress since desegregation. Its court was named "C.M. Newton Court" in honor of the former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball coach and athletic director C. M. Newton.

Renovation and current use

A major $16 million renovation was undertaken from 2009 to 2011 to preserve the historic structure and adapt it for modern use. The project carefully restored the Art Deco façade and the historic entrance while completely modernizing the interior. The updated facility houses the university's Department of Gender and Race Studies and includes a museum exhibit dedicated to the Stand in the Schoolhouse Door. The main floor now features a basketball court used for intramural sports and student recreation, while the Malone-Hood Plaza and Autherine Lucy Clock Tower were added outside as permanent memorials to the pioneers of desegregation. Today, it stands as an active educational building and a solemn memorial to a key moment in American history.

Category:University of Alabama Category:National Historic Landmarks in Alabama Category:Art Deco architecture in Alabama Category:1939 establishments in Alabama