Arena Earns its Name

By Jim Gazzolo

It really wasn't that long ago that McNeese basketball was struggling to get anybody interested.

Their games were primarily played inside the Burton Coliseum, off campus, and out of the minds of most in Lake Charles.

That's what makes last Tuesday's announcement such a stunning turnaround.

In the span of five years, McNeese basketball has gone from out of mind to a mind-boggling success story. 

On Tuesday, the arena, which has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt over the past seven years, saw its naming rights sold for $4.5 million over the next 15 years.

It is the largest such deal in Southland Conference history, and it is only behind the recent 10-year, $5 million naming rights partnership for the football stadium.

Navarre Stadium is now joined on campus by the Townsley Law Arena. The two initiatives provide McNeese Athletics with a $9.5 million funding boost since July 1.

'This is a monumental day for McNeese," said Athletic Director Heath Schroyer. "I never could have imagined standing here today, five years ago."

The Cowboys have come a long way, as they made it official by changing the name of their home location from the Legacy Center.

"This is something that we need to do to keep up with the changing landscape in college athletics," Schroyer said. "I also want to express my sincere gratitude to David and Kimberly Griffin for their dedication to McNeese Athletics. Their generosity laid the foundation for what we're celebrating today, and their legacy will forever be a part of McNeese's history."

The Griffins were the first to have naming rights to the arena.

Since then, the value has continued to rise, thanks in large part to the winning ways of the men's basketball team, which has compiled a 58-11 record over the last two seasons.

"Sometimes the best payoffs are when you take risks," said Todd Townsley, a partner in the law firm. "Heath took a risk when he brought Will Wade here, and McNeese took a big risk, and it has paid off.

"This is where winners are, this is where championships are built."

This is the latest in a series of naming rights and sponsorships McNeese has signed since the start of summer. It is the next phase in the rebuilding of the athletic department, which was $3 million in debt as recently as 2020. 

It is also an attempt to put the school in the best possible position to move up to college football's highest level and a larger conference, if the opportunity arises.

"The Townsley Law Arena is one piece of a strategic plan (McNeese President) Dr. (Wade) Rousse and I put together years ago," said Schroyer. "He believed, as do I, that when an institution is fiscally reasonable and strategic in its investment of college athletics, it will positively affect enrollment and retention, which elevates our community and region. I couldn't be more excited for Todd (Townsley) and the entire firm.

"When I first met with Todd years ago, he not only bought into our vision, but he helped to spearhead our efforts. The Townsley Law Firm is committed to Southwest Louisiana, and agreements like this one are a testament to our efforts coming to fruition."

It is that vision that has sold local business leaders, including the Townsley Law Firm, on partnering with McNeese Athletics. 

The firm had already played a significant role in the growth of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) revenue in recent years.

"When Dr. Rousse and Heath first started their journey to improve this university, I was eager to be a part of that plan," said Todd Townsley, managing partner of the law firm. "I knew that they were starting something special, and I wanted to do everything I could to help out. We started giving to the NIL fund because we knew the impact it would have on McNeese.

 "This investment isn't just to have our name on the arena, it's to show that we truly care about the work McNeese is doing to provide a world-class education and change the lives of the people in this community."

 Said Dr. Rousse, "On behalf of the entire McNeese Family, we express our deepest gratitude toward the Townsley Law Firm. They truly understand how the elevation of our athletic profile will lead to the improvement of our academic programs. The naming of our basketball arena reflects the impact the Townsley Law Firm has already made – and will continue to make – on the lives of so many.  Thank you for believing in our mission of providing a life-changing higher educational experience and catapulting us toward our vision of becoming the premier regional university in all of Louisiana and southeast Texas."

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers sports in Southwest Louisiana. He is also the host of Poke Nation, which airs weekly on CBS Lake Charles.