The concrete shell of the CM Tad Smith Coliseum, affectionately known as the Tad Pad, began to crumble on July 16, 2024, as crews embarked on a meticulously planned demolition that is slated to finish by mid‑October, a project estimated to cost $938,500.
A landmark falls
Built in 1966, the 8,000‑seat arena served as the home court for both Ole Miss men’s and women’s basketball for five decades, until the sleek Sandy and John Black Pavilion opened its doors in 2016. The final competitive game in the Tad Pad was played on December 22, 2015, when the Rebels edged Troy in overtime, and the women’s team closed out their regular season there with a 55‑52 victory over Vanderbilt on January 3, 2016.
The demolition strategy relies on controlled dismantling of the dome and the careful removal of concrete sections using heavy equipment, a process designed to limit collateral damage and keep the surrounding campus traffic flowing.
While the removal will not disrupt the majority of students, a handful of parking spaces near the arena will be closed to accommodate the construction zone, and the cleared site will initially serve as surface parking while university planners evaluate long‑term uses for the land.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter, who suited up for the Rebels from 1996 to 1999, recalled his own memories of the venue, joking that the structure seemed ready to implode at any moment, while head coach Chris Beard expressed a mixture of sadness and pragmatic acceptance, acknowledging the need for modern facilities on campus.
In a nod to the arena’s storied past, the university salvaged the original hardwood floor and select court features, planning to distribute them to former players as keepsakes that will preserve the spirit of the Tad Pad for those who once chased rebounds beneath its rafters.