By VUCommodores.com

Vanderbilt University and FirstBank have signed a 10-year football stadium naming rights and campus collaboration agreement, announced Candice Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director.

Vanderbilt Stadium will be recognized as FirstBank Stadium starting with the 2022 Commodore football season. Through this agreement, FirstBank becomes the official bank of Vanderbilt Athletics and the Vanderbilt Alumni Association.

“I’m excited for the opportunities this historic collaboration with FirstBank creates for Vanderbilt Athletics and our student-athletes,” Lee said. “As the landscape of collegiate athletics continues to shift, we remain committed to our core mission. We will provide student-athletes with the tools to reach their full potential on and off the field and work to unite and inspire the city we call home. I look forward to seeing Nashville come together to support the Commodores at FirstBank Stadium for years to come.”

Vanderbilt will uphold and honor the designation of Dudley Field—the venue’s original name when it opened in 1922 as the first stadium in the South to be erected exclusively for college football.

As Vanderbilt marks the 100th anniversary of Vanderbilt Stadium and Dudley Field this year, construction related to Vandy United will begin to transform the north and south end zones. From concerts and commencements to presidential speeches and football games, the stadium remains a place for the Vanderbilt community and the city of Nashville to come together and celebrate.

“Vanderbilt is a Nashville institution—in, of and for the city,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “This agreement with FirstBank, and the possibilities it creates, forges a new kind of collaborative connection among our university, our community and our Commodore student-athletes as we all—to use our university motto—‘dare to grow’ and realize our shared potential together.”

Headquartered in Nashville, FirstBank has 81 full-service bank branches across Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia and a national mortgage business with offices across the Southeast. The bank serves five of the major metropolitan markets in Tennessee and has approximately $12.6 billion in total assets. FirstBank is a wholly owned subsidiary of FB Financial Corp. (

“For more than a century, FirstBank has built its reputation by believing in the power and potential of our community,” FirstBank President and CEO Chris Holmes said. “Partnering with Vanderbilt reinforces our shared commitment to the idea that world-class excellence can have local roots. We believe FirstBank Stadium is more than a name. It represents an opportunity to strengthen this community and mentor leaders who will shape an even brighter future.”

In addition to football stadium naming rights, the relationship includes a comprehensive multimedia arrangement with Vanderbilt Athletics for all varsity programs. FirstBank will also participate in Vanderbilt student and alumni engagement opportunities, including the sponsorship of student internships and select alumni programming, such as the Owen Graduate School of Management’s Owen Forward alumni engagement speaker series.

Additionally, FirstBank will have the opportunity to conduct on-campus workshops and provide financial products supporting innovation and startup activities at Vanderbilt.

Warren James Buckley, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the BC Pavilion Corporation, responsible for the operation of two of British Columbia’s most iconic public facilities, the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place Stadium, passed away July 14. He was 73.

From 2008 to 2012, Warren oversaw both the expansion of the Vancouver Convention Centre and the extensive refurbishment of BC Place Stadium.

Prior to returning to Vancouver, Warren was the President and CEO of the privately owned Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore for seven years. The Centre was named Asia’s number one Convention Centre three years in a row.

Prior to leaving for Asia, Warren was appointed CEO of the BC Pavilion Corporation in 1994, responsible for BC Place Stadium, Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, Bridge Film Studios, Robson Square Conference Centre, Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre, and BC Place Stadium.

Prior to his remarkable career in the public assembly venue industry Warren served with the RCMP and later as an executive with Xerox.

Warren was a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelors’ degree in Economics.

Warren was actively involved in several industry associations serving as Chair of the Asia Pacific Exhibition and Convention Council, Board member of the World Council for Venue Management, Venue Management Assocation, and board member of IAVM. He also served as an instructor at both the Venue Management schools in Wheeling, West Virginia, and Australia for several years.

Warren’s family shared that he chose July 14, 2022, as his last day of life, grateful to leave when his own words came true: “Enough is enough.” He was at home on a bright summer day in Furry Creek, BC, and surrounded by love, laughter, and family. As with everything in life, Warren’s choice of a medically assisted death was made with grace and dignity and allowed him to write the last chapter of his life after a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia.

“I think I’ve done some good here,” were Warren’s last words, as he looked at loving faces around him. “All of you.”

Profoundly grateful for him, and forever laughing with memories are his wife of 52 years, Rilla Buckley, daughter Tricia and Brock Grey (Lauren & Jordan); son Chris and Brooke Van Hatten (Chloe); sister June Kaan of Winnipeg, numerous adored and adoring nieces and nephews, and members of the Preston family, who embraced him from the time he and Rilla met.

To support research and work on Lewy Body Dementia, the Buckley Family asks you to please consider a donation to Dr. Robin Hsiung at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at UBC.

A Celebration of Life will be held August 27 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West at 3 pm.

Las Vegas Events announced on Aug. 17 its long-tenured president, Pat Christenson, will retire on Dec. 31, 2023. Christenson will continue to work with the new president once the position has been filled, prior to the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo this December.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he won an NCAA wrestling national championship at 167 pounds as a senior in 1976, Christenson has carved out an impressive career in Las Vegas in venue development, event programming and development and sponsorship.

Christenson moved to Las Vegas in 1980 to be an assistant wrestling coach and event coordinator. In 1983, he was promoted to assistant director of the newly built 18,500-seat Thomas & Mack Center which was unfinished and projected to be a cash drain on UNLV. At the same time, UNLV took over management of the 30,000-seat Las Vegas Silver Bowl (now Sam Boyd Stadium).

Christenson was charged with developing programming and developing an operation for both venues. From 1983-1992, the Thomas & Mack Center and the Las Vegas Silver Bowl were arguably the two most successful collegiate venues in the country. Christenson booked every event that toured the country, averaging 175 events per year in both venues. By 1990, both venues were solvent, had completed $15 million worth of improvements and amassed a sizeable reserve.

In 1991, Christenson was promoted to director of both venues where he lobbied for and managed a $40 million renovation of both venues. From 1991-1995, they sold out every show averaging more than 135,000 tickets per year. The Eagles, Metallica, Dave Mathews Band, N’Sync, Lollapalooza, George Strait, and three U2 tours followed. He also lured the Grateful Dead to the Silver Bowl.

Christenson worked with Cox Communications to provide half the funding and then designed and opened a much-needed Olympic sports venue for UNLV and the Cox Pavilion.

In 2001, Christenson accepted a position as president of Las Vegas Events. In this capacity, he has been responsible for securing “Signature Events” and then ensuring their growth and success.

During his tenure, Las Vegas Events has increased the number of events it has supported from 21 in 2001 to an average of 41 over the past five years prior to the start of the pandemic. Most notably, the list includes two events Las Vegas Events produced – the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® and the FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals.

In addition, LVE secured and supported four conference basketball tournaments, Electric Daisy Carnival, Rock in Rio, Life Is Beautiful, USA Sevens, NBA Summer League, and numerous USBC Open Championships. The non-gaming economic impact of these events has increased from $108.9 million in 2001 to an average of more than $535.8 million for the period of 2015-2019.

As both the director of the Thomas & Mack Center and president of Las Vegas Events, Christenson has played a prominent role in the growth of the NFR since it first arrived in 1985.

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA gold buckle.

In 2001, the NFR drew visitors for only tickets sold in the Thomas & Mack Center. Christenson created the “NFR Experience” with a goal of dramatically increasing visitation by developing and promoting events outside the Thomas & Mack Center. Today, it is estimated that the NFR Experience draws more than 400,000 visitors annually, participating in 200-plus events made up of 25 NFR viewing parties, 70 concerts, The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, World Series of Team Roping, and more.

Christenson is a member of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2013), the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame (Class of 2019) and the Wisconsin Wrestling Hall of Fame and has been a member of the Board of Governors for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. During his career, he has served on the Boards of MDA, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Opportunity Village and Grant a Gift Autism Foundation. In 2007, he was named Las Vegas’ “Most Influential Sports Figure” by the Las Vegas Sun.

By Ike Richman

Arizona State University announced the new on-campus multi-purpose arena will be named Mullett Arena in recognition of Donald “Donze” and Barbara Mullett’s commitment to ASU and Sun Devil Athletics.

Mullett Arena, which is managed and operated by OVG360, will house Sun Devil hockey, gymnastics and wrestling, as well as concerts, family shows, community events and the Mountain America Community Iceplex. The Mullett Arena is also the new home of the National Hockey League’s Arizona Coyotes.

The 5,000-seat state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue includes two NHL regulation-size ice sheets, 20 luxury suites, a large club lounge and event-level premium club seats. Mullett Arena is the new home for Sun Devil Hockey with over 8,000 square feet set aside for ASU’s locker room, weight room, lounge, and coaches’ offices.

“The Mullett family has supported Sun Devil Hockey through every stage of its existence and expanded their support of Sun Devil Athletics in the years since. In appreciation of Don and Barbara’s commitment, we’re thrilled to introduce Mullett Arena,” said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. “With this building dedication, ASU and the Mullett’s shared vision comes to life as we take another step toward elevating our elite student-athlete experience and further serving our community.”

Mullett Arena, in the Novus Innovation Corridor, will house Sun Devil Athletics’ events and competitions as well as the adjacent Mountain America Community Iceplex, and will serve as a public venue for the university and community to host concerts, conferences, youth competitions, educational opportunities, and more. The second full-size ice sheet will also be accessible to students, the community and youth ice hockey programs at every level, providing an additional public sheet to one of the fastest-growing states for youth hockey participation in the country.

“It is an honor for Barb, me, and our family to have our name associated with Sun Devil Athletics’ new on-campus multi-purpose facility,” Mullett said. “With the recent establishment of the Barbara H. Mullett Family Foundation, we’re so proud to have Mullett Arena as part of our initial commitment from the foundation.”

Through the recognition of Mullett Arena, the Mullett family is extending existing support of Sun Devil Hockey and Sun Devil Athletics. In 2014, support from the Mullett family was instrumental in elevating ASU Hockey to NCAA Division I status.

“There is only one person whose name should be on our ice and on our arena, and it’s Don Mullett. Without ‘Donze,’ this arena doesn’t happen, and NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey doesn’t exist at ASU. The Mullett’s family legacy will forever be cemented at ASU and nothing will make our ACHA and NCAA alumni happier,” said Sun Devil Hockey head coach Greg Powers.

“Hockey is a constant in our family and an element of our lives that brings us so much joy. It is so special for us to now associate that love for the game with Arizona State University and the state of Arizona with this remarkable building. As awe-struck as we are to watch elite college hockey in this state-of-the-art facility, we’re finding even more meaning in the assurance that Mullett Arena will be home to little tykes, learn-to-skates, and club and adult leagues who share our love for the sport,” Mullett said.

The Mullett family is a strong advocate for growing the sport. In 1998, Don built the Mullett Ice Center in Heartland, Wisconsin, which is home to Arrowhead High School men’s and women’s hockey as well as youth and adult leagues.

At ASU, the new Mullett Arena includes 20 luxury suites, two group suites, a large club lounge and event-level premium club seats. The club lounge has a Center Ice Club on the main concourse that runs along center ice and can host up to 500 fans. On the 300-level, a social deck will run the length of the east side of the venue, providing an open-air, aerial view of the arena where fans can interact while still experiencing exceptional sightlines to the competition. The arena also will be able to serve as a backup site for sports played on hardwood, such as volleyball.

Additionally, a 942-seat student section will occupy the entire west side of the venue to provide an enhanced gameday experience for ASU students.

In addition to Sun Devil Hockey’s space, Mullett Arena includes eight additional locker rooms between the main arena and the community ice sheet that can be utilized for visiting teams, youth programs, ASU club programs, and live events.

“Arizona State University is empowered to realize its vision for a 21st century university through the imagination and philanthropy of its donors,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “The generosity and confidence demonstrated by the Mullett family for our hockey program and our broader desire to be of service, matched with a state-of-the art facility, will allow us to build on ASU’s tradition of character-building competition and excellence.”

PR guru Ike Richman (our words) is President of Richman Communications in East Norriton, Pennsylvania.

Photo: Don Mullett speaks at the naming of the new Mullett Arena on Aug. 23. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News

By Stephani Nagle

Vibrant, the Moline-based financial services company whose namesake credit union serves more than 55,000 members nationwide, has acquired the naming rights to the Illinois Quad City Civic Center Authority’s 12,000-seat multi-purpose arena and conference center located in Moline, Illinois. The venue, formerly known as the TaxSlayer Center, will be renamed Vibrant Arena at The MARK on September 1, 2022.

“The Quad Cities is our home, it’s part of who we are, and it means a lot to be the first local business to hold the naming rights to this arena,” said Matt McCombs, President and CEO of Vibrant. “Many of us started seeing concerts at The MARK back in the 1990s and nodding back to those roots in the new name was part of our discussions from the very beginning. We see this as our opportunity to invest in our community in a way that has a positive impact on everyone here.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Vibrant,” said Scott Mullen, Vibrant Arena at The MARK’s Executive Director. “They are a local company with fresh ideas that will make our award-winning venue even more attractive and a place where our guests can proudly enjoy the top-caliber entertainment options we provide.” There are several updates planned for the arena including new graphics, a state-of-the-art video wall in the main lobby, a new Vibrant Lounge VIP Area and updated color schemes throughout the venue.

The Center is one of the top-performing mid-sized arenas in the country and has hosted thousands of top artists and events, including Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, The Eagles, Van Halen, Cher, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Pearl Jam, KISS, Michael Bublé, Journey, Paul McCartney, and many others.

The arena is also home to two local sports franchises: The Quad City Storm of the SPHL, which opens its 2022-23 season in Moline on October 21, 2022, and the Quad City Steamwheelers, which competed in the IFL’s national championship last weekend as its 2022 Eastern Conference Champions.

“It’s great that Vibrant was willing to incorporate The MARK back into the building name,” says Illinois Quad City Civic Center Authority Chair, Stacy Happ, “The MARK was such a source of pride over the years and acknowledging that heritage illustrates Vibrant’s understanding and appreciation of our community.”

“TaxSlayer has been a tremendous partner since 2017 and they graciously allowed us to shop the market to pursue other companies for a more attractive deal,” Mullen said. “I am extremely pleased that it has worked out so well for all involved.”

The first event hosted under the new Vibrant Arena at The MARK name will be Styx, REO Speedwagon, and Loverboy on September 6. That show marks the start of a busy fall schedule that includes the Taco & Margarita Festival on September 10, Thomas Rhett on October 13, Bert Kreischer on October 28, Judas Priest with Queensrÿche on October 29, and Carrie Underwood on November 12.