July 22, 2008

The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees executive committee has approved the renaming of the Colonial Center to the Colonial Life Arena, it was announced today.

"We are pleased to announce that the Colonial Center will transition to the Colonial Life Arena," said South Carolina Athletics Director Eric Hyman. "Colonial Life, which has been an outstanding partner with the University for a number of years, has recently undertaken a company-wide rebranding effort and this name change is consistent with that initiative. This is the first step in the process of rebranding the Colonial Center," noted Hyman.

The $65 million arena was known as the Carolina Center when it opened in 2002. A year later, it was renamed the Colonial Center after the employee benefits provider agreed to pay $5.5 million over 12 years for the naming rights.

The Colonial Center averages between 110 and 120 events every year, attracting between 500,000 and 600,000 people to the Columbia venue. It serves as the home for the Gamecock men's and women's basketball teams.