Tech To Consider Reopening Hooper Eblen To Walkers

Tennessee Tech leadership will discuss the possibility of reopening the Hooper Eblen Center to walkers after requests at a recent Putnam County Commissioners meeting.

Tennessee Tech Athletic Director Mark Wilson said opening the arena for the public is a very difficult proposition. He said it closed in 2020 due to COVID-19 and did not open back up due to safety concerns and conduct detrimental to the school’s athletic programs.

“We had probably, what I would say, a few bad actors that caused issues with employees, with student-athletes, and with some of the activities that they were doing in the Hooper Eblen Center,” Wilson said. “Which really made it an unsafe environment.”

Wilson said with pressure to reopen, he and his staff plan to consider that possibility. He said he appreciates that many people enjoy having the arena as an option for a heated place to walk during colder months.

“It’s not a recreational facility,” Wilson said. “It wasn’t built for that. During the day, it’s a place of business for Tennessee Tech Athletics. A place of business for the teams practicing and preparing to practice.”

He said the arena was originally closed to walkers 15 years ago but was reopened after multiple requests from the public. He said that unfortunately, it only takes a few incidents to spoil the opportunity for everyone.