Walk into a modern college basketball arena today and you’ll basically see the same thing everywhere. Glass, steel, overpriced sushi, and thousands of seats so far from the court you might as well be watching on your phone from the parking lot. It's sterile. It's corporate. Honestly, it’s a little boring. But then there’s Avron B Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.
This place is different.
Located right in the heart of Tulane University’s Uptown New Orleans campus, it doesn’t feel like a stadium; it feels like a time capsule that breathes. It’s one of the oldest active basketball venues in the country, and if those brick walls could talk, they’d probably tell you to pipe down because the acoustics in there are loud enough to rattle your teeth.
The History You Can Actually Feel
Most people just call it "Devlin," but the full name, Avron B Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse, carries a lot of weight. Built in 1933, it was originally just the Tulane Gymnasium. Back then, things were built to last, but they weren't exactly built for 7-foot centers with 40-inch verticals. It’s cramped. It’s tight. And that’s exactly why it works.
When you’re inside, you’re on top of the action. Literally. The fans in the front rows could probably reach out and check a player into the game if they weren't worried about getting a technical foul. It’s that intimacy that makes it a nightmare for visiting teams in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). You aren't just a spectator here; you’re part of the defensive pressure.
In 1988, a major renovation happened thanks to Avron B. Fogelman, a Memphis businessman and former part-owner of the Kansas City Royals. Then, in 2012, another massive chunk of change went into it—about $5 million—thanks to the Devlin family. That’s how we ended up with the mouthful of a name we have today. But despite the new locker rooms and the fancy scoreboards, the soul of the building hasn't moved an inch.
Why the Architecture Matters (And Why It’s Weird)
If you're used to the NBA experience, Devlin will confuse you.
It has these distinct, arched rooflines and exposed brick that make it look more like a vintage hangar than a sports complex. There are roughly 3,600 seats. That’s tiny by modern standards. But 3,600 people in Devlin sounds like 20,000 people in a dome. The sound hits the ceiling and just bounces right back down onto the floor.
It’s loud. Really loud.
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There’s also the matter of the "home court advantage." Because the sidelines are so narrow, coaches are basically standing in the laps of the fans. You can hear every grunt, every sneaker squeak, and every frantic instruction from the bench. It’s basketball in its most raw, unadulterated form. You don't get the "jumbotron experience" where you spend the whole game looking at a screen. You look at the ball.
Survival and Renaissance
It hasn't always been easy for the arena. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina didn't just break the city; it threatened the very existence of Tulane athletics. The arena took on water and damage like everything else in New Orleans. For a while, the future of the Green Wave playing on campus was a question mark.
But they came back.
The floor was replaced. The lights were fixed. The fans returned. Seeing a game at Avron B Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse isn't just about sports; for a lot of New Orleanians, it’s a symbol of the city's refusal to stay down.
Then came the Ron Hunter era. When Hunter took over the men’s program, he didn't just bring a new system; he brought an energy that matched the building. He’s been known to grab a mic and tell the students to get louder. He knows that in a small gym, the crowd is a literal "sixth man." The women’s program, led for decades by the legendary Lisa Stockton, turned the place into a fortress long ago.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning to catch a game, don't just show up five minutes before tip-off. That’s a rookie move.
First off, parking in Uptown New Orleans is a puzzle designed by someone who hates cars. It’s all narrow streets and "will I get towed?" anxiety. Use the designated lots or, better yet, take the St. Charles streetcar and walk a few blocks. It adds to the vibe.
Once you’re in, check out the memorabilia. The lobby isn't huge, but it’s packed with history. You’ll see nods to the legends who played on that hardwood.
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- The Seating: There isn't a bad seat, but the bleachers behind the baskets are where the students (the "Hell’s Half Acre" crew) hang out. If you want to keep your hearing, maybe sit across from the benches.
- The Food: It’s New Orleans. Even the stadium snacks are usually better than what you’d find in the Midwest. Look for local flavors, but keep it simple—popcorn and a cold drink are the classic pairing here.
- The Temperature: Even with modern AC, a packed house in New Orleans gets warm. Dress in layers, preferably green and sky blue.
Why It Beats the Big Arenas
There is a trend in sports right now to go bigger, shinier, and more expensive. We’re seeing billion-dollar stadiums with retractable roofs and seats that vibrate. But you lose something in that scale. You lose the connection.
At Avron B Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse, you’re close enough to see the sweat on a player’s forehead. You can see the frustration in a referee’s eyes when a coach is riding them. It’s visceral. It’s the difference between watching a movie on an IMAX screen and seeing a play in a small, off-Broadway theater.
The arena also hosts more than just basketball. Volleyball matches here are intense because the ball moves so fast in such a confined space. It’s a multi-purpose workhorse that serves the university every single day, not just on game nights.
Real Talk on the Future
Is it perfect? No. The concourses are tight. The bathrooms aren't exactly "luxury." If you're looking for a VIP lounge where you can ignore the game while drinking craft cocktails, this probably isn't your spot.
But if you care about the history of the game, Devlin is a pilgrimage site. It’s one of the few places left where the ghosts of 1930s basketball seem to hang out in the rafters. It represents a time when sports were local, loud, and incredibly personal.
The AAC is a tough conference. Tulane is constantly fighting against programs with massive budgets and 15,000-seat arenas. But those teams hate coming to New Orleans. They hate the tight locker rooms. They hate the fans being three feet away from them. They hate the way the floor feels. And that’s exactly why Tulane fans love it.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
To get the most out of your experience at the Fieldhouse, keep these specific tips in mind:
1. Timing is Everything
Aim for a night game during conference play. The energy during a matchup against a rival like Memphis or Houston (when they were in the mix) is vastly different from an early-season blowout. The midweek games often have a "die-hard" crowd that knows the game inside and out.
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2. Follow the Traditions
Watch the "Hullabaloo" cheer. It’s weird, it’s old, and it’s uniquely Tulane. If you don't know the words, just clap along. The band is usually tucked into a corner and they absolutely rip.
3. Explore the Campus
The arena is nestled between the academic buildings. Take twenty minutes before the doors open to walk around the Uptown campus. The oak trees and the architecture are some of the most beautiful in the South.
4. Check the Schedule for Doubleheaders
Often, the men’s and women’s teams will play on the same day or back-to-back days. The women's games are a fantastic way to see high-level tactical basketball in an even more intimate setting, often for a lower ticket price.
5. Respect the Old Guard
You’ll see people who have been sitting in the same seats since the 1970s. Strike up a conversation. They’ll tell you about the 1982 team or what it was like when the lights went out mid-game twenty years ago. That’s the real "expert" knowledge.
Avron B Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse isn't just a building. It's the heartbeat of Tulane sports. It’s a reminder that bigger isn't always better, and that sometimes, all you need is some wood, some brick, and a whole lot of noise.
If you’re a fan of the game—not just the spectacle, but the game—you owe it to yourself to get a ticket, squeeze into a bleacher, and scream until your throat hurts. That’s how basketball was meant to be experienced.
Don't wait for a "special event." The next home game is the event. Go see it before someone decides everything needs to be "modernized" into oblivion.
Next Steps:
Check the official Tulane Athletics website for the current season schedule. Tickets for games at Fogelman in Devlin often sell out for major conference matchups, so booking at least two weeks in advance is recommended. If you're traveling from out of town, look for lodging in the Garden District to stay close to the streetcar line for easy access to the arena.