Redbird Arena changing name

[Da Coach]

Illinois State's Redbird Arena will get a name change. It will be known as CEFCU Arena as part of a corporate sponsorship deal with the Peoria based credit union.

https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2022-10-12/isus-redbird-arena-set-to-be-renamed-cefcu-arena

CEFCU was founded in 1937 in Peoria as Caterpillar Employees Federal Credit Union but underwent a name change to Construction Equipment Federal Credit Union when it separated from Caterpillar. Later it changed its name a couple more times, to Citizens Equity Federal Credit Union, then to the current name, Citizens Equity First Credit Union. CEFCU is paying $3.1 million over 10 years for naming rights. They are still headquartered in Peoria.

I wonder why Peoria has not sold naming rights to the Civic Center venues?

[Tommy]

Peoria takes over Redbird arena. I like it.

[braves16]

Who is the Carver, in Carver Arena?

[Da Coach]

Who is the Carver, in Carver Arena?

It is Richard E. Carver, who was the Peoria mayor from 1973-1984. He was the Peoria mayor when the city approved the Civic Center project, and constructed the arena.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_E._Carver

He is given much of the credit for getting the Civic Center project done, as well as playing a key part in developing the regional medical school in Peoria.
Profile from 1979- https://www.lib.niu.edu/1979/ii791109.html

Many agree that Peoria's downtown revitalization program, which includes plans for a civic center, downtown mall and the redevelopment of another 200 acres, could not be completed, or at least not as rapidly, without Carver at the helm. He is given major credit for inaugurating Peoria's urban renewal plan in 1973 during his first year in office as mayor. Not only did he persuade the University of Illinois trustees to build a medical school adjacent to the city's low-income, high-crime neighborhoods, but he also secured federal aid for Peoria at a time when President Nixon had frozen all funds for new urban projects. Peoria was the only city to receive millions of federal dollars for its renewal program, an accomplishment in which Carver takes huge pride.