Gym History - Part 1: The Original Assembly Hall

Written By: Bill Murphy

The original Assembly Hall was really not a sporting arena it was a small, one story, wood-framed structure. Built in 1895 for a cost of $12,000, the building could seat 600 fans for a basketball game ,which would barely be enough room for all the assistant coaches on the bench today. The original Assembly Hall was also not only a game venue, but a practice site and the gymnasium for physical education classes.

Indiana's first game in the original Assembly Hall was played on February 8, 1901, against the Butler Bulldogs. Indiana would lose to Butler 24-20 to run its record to 0-2. The Hoosiers would play three games at Assembly Hall that year, winning against Wabash in the final contest, 26-17, on March 8, 1901. By 1902, Indiana would play four games at Assembly Hall and post a 2-2 record.

Indiana played the final game in the original Assembly Hall on January 5, 1917. The opponent was Rose Poly and marked Indiana's fifth straight victory, which came in dominating fashion, 35-9. IU led at halftime 21-6, and Severing Buchman outscored the entire Rose Poly team 10-9.

Presidents William Howard Taft and Teddy Roosevelt, as well as presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, all spoke in the original Assembly Hall. The building itself was demolished in 1938.

A picture of the original Assembly Hall now hangs in the new Assembly Hall.