Tarleton State and EECU, one of the largest locally-owned financial institutions in North Texas, have announced a naming rights agreement for the university’s new event center. The formal naming of the venue to the EECU Center was approved today by The Texas A&M System Board of Regents.
Featuring nearly 300,000 members and over $4 billion in assets, EECU has served the region for more than 90 years.
“We are thrilled to team with EECU as we begin an exciting new era on campus,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “Prominently featuring the name of a regional fixture like EECU on our new event center is a natural choice for a venue that will be a community gathering spot for years to come. We are grateful to all who made this partnership possible and look forward to hosting our first events in our best-in-class facility.”
Scheduled to open this fall, the EECU Center will offer seating for nearly 10,000 for concerts and up to 8,000 for basketball games. The $120 million two-story multipurpose arena will host events including NCAA Division I basketball, symposiums, conferences, concerts and conventions.
“EECU is honored to partner with Tarleton State University on this exciting new chapter in its proud history,” said EECU President and CEO Lonnie Nicholson. “The EECU Center represents more than a state-of-the-art venue — it symbolizes our shared commitment to education, community and the future of North Texas. We believe this partnership will inspire and connect generations of students, families and leaders to come.”
EECU began in 1934 in the Fort Worth Independent School District administration building as a credit union for teachers and administrators known as Fort Worth Teachers Credit Union. The name was changed to the Educational Employees Credit Union in 1976, eventually becoming more simply known as EECU.
A grand opening celebration for the EECU Center is slated for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 21.
