UNA names basketball court after national champion coach Gary Elliott

FLORENCE – Hall of Famer Gary Elliott walked into CB&S Bank Arena to cheers, congratulations, and a highlight video of his time as a coach at the University of North Alabama.

The court inside “The Bank” was getting a new name: Gary Elliott Court.

Last week, the university’s Board of Trustees approved the naming honoring one of five coaches to bring an NCAA national championship to UNA. Elliott led the Lions to the 1991 men’s basketball Division II National Championship.

Other national championship coaches include Bill Jones (men’s basketball 1979), Bobby Wallace (football 1993, 1994, 1995), Matt Peck (volleyball 2003), and Ashley Cozart (softball 2016).

Elliott, a member of the UNA Athletics Department for 25 years, coached the baseball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, and men’s golf programs. He was inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

The court-naming celebration will officially take place Nov. 7 inside CB&S Bank Arena as the Lions host Lane College. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. More details on the ceremony will be released next month. The naming will take effect at the start of the 2025-26 basketball season.

A group of UNA Athletics and community supporters — led by Chuck and Marcia McCarty, Tommy and Jackie Darby, Ikey and Anah Fowler, H.L. and Judy Noah, Tony and Mayle Pujol, Jeff and Karen Stewart, Tim and Jennifer Taylor, Greg and Susan Thorton, and Scott and Jerica Whittle — initiated a significant commitment of private financial gifts to support this effort.

“Gary Elliott is one of the pillars of North Alabama Athletics, and this tribute could not have come at a better time,” said UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney. “Coach Elliott poured into both our men’s and women’s basketball programs and, after retirement, chose to make Florence his home. As we reshape our athletics footprint along Pine Street, it’s fitting to honor Coach Elliott alongside the fields named after Mike Lane and Bobby Wallace.

“We are thankful to the group that made this possible and are proud to see Coach Elliott’s name on the court.”

Elliott was instrumental in building the women’s basketball program during his first four years at the school from 1979-83. He led UNA to a 75-42 overall record that included two AAIAW Northern Division championships and an Alabama state championship in 1979.

In 15 seasons of guiding the men’s program from 1989-2003, he led the Lions to one NCAA Division II National Championship in 1991 and four NCAA Division II Tournaments. The Lions also hoisted two Gulf South Conference (GSC) championships and averaged 18 wins per season.

Elliot finished as the winningest men’s basketball coach in school history with 270 victories.

“The foundation of our basketball program was built by the tremendous efforts of Coach Gary Elliott,” said UNA head men’s basketball coach Tony Pujol. “The values, the standard of excellence, and the championship culture he created continue to show in our current success. His mentorship and friendship has impacted not only me personally, but generations of players, coaches, and our entire department.

“There is no one more deserving of this honor than Coach Elliott.”

The Lions won 20 or more games five times under Elliott, and advanced to the NCAA championships in 1991, 1994, 1995 and 1996. He was named the 1991 National Division II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and was the first coach in the history of the GSC to win 100 games in his first five seasons at a league school.

Elliott became the UNA men’s basketball assistant coach from 1983-88 and helped take the team to a 109-67 record that included a GSC championship, two GSC Tournament titles and two NCAA appearances. He also served as UNA’s head baseball coach in 1979 and was the men’s golf head coach from 1980-88.

His 32 years in basketball coaching includes a 425-257 record as a head coach. He finished with a 270-150 record as UNA men’s coach before his retirement following the 2002-03 season.