History Lesson Part 3: The Original Fieldhouse
Written By: Bill Murphy
On Thursday December 13, 1928, Indiana University dedicated the New Indiana Fieldhouse against Pennsylvania, winning the game 34 to 26. Future Indiana head coach and All-American junior Branch McCracken led the Hoosiers in scoring with nine points. Even though the dedication game was on December 13, the first game in the new Fieldhouse was actually December 8, a 31 to 30 loss to Washington, in which McCracken also became the first player to score in the New Fieldhouse.
In the game day program for the December 13 dedication , an article by Vern Boxwell titled "The Fieldhouse for All" described the purpose of the New Indiana Fieldhouse:
Indiana University's whole physical education program for men will profit through the New Fieldhouse under the plans for the Athletic Department. The completion of this magnificent building fulfils a long need in the Indiana University Athletic Department, and is one of the largest and finest in the Big Ten Conference and Middle West.
All major sports at the state school are benefited by the new addition to the athletic plant. Pat Page, head football coach, made good use of the building to develop his gridiron squad for important games, when outside practice was practically impossible because of inclement weather conditions.
During the winter months, Coach E C Hayes would have his track hopefuls at work in the building, preparing for the indoor and outdoor cinder path season next season. Immediately following the close of basketball season, the portable hardwood will be removed and baseball practice will start. Tennis aspirants will also find use for the building in the early season practice. Indoor sports such as wrestling, will be given more room in the Men's gymnasium.
It is estimated that 13,000 cubic feet of limestone, 200,000 face bricks and 670 tons of steel were used in the construction of the building, which is 200 by 300 feet in dimensions. The exterior construction is in rock faced ashlar Indiana limestone, and the interior is in light buff brick, with arcs of steel, the lowest of which are 75 feet from the floor. The roof is of built-up insulated type. The American blower system is employed to heat the building, and the floor lights are used for illumination.
The Fieldhouse adjoins the Men's gymnasium and is nearly twice as large as the old building. Twelve entrances and exits, with double doors, are included. In the southwest corner is located the new training room, where bruises and injuries of the athletes are treated
The building and its equipment are being financed entirely, at a cost of $350,000 out of proceeds from Indiana athletic contests, and athletic officials sincerely hope to have the continued and increased support of friends and patrons in paying for the building without cost to the state.
It is thought that the ultimate seating capacity of 15,000 will accommodate the maximum crowds of the future. In addition to serving as an athletic building, the Fieldhouse will be used for general convocations and indoor exercises, such as commencement, public gatherings, and conventions.
The Fieldhouse had a portable hardwood floor and a lighting system that had 47 electric lamps suspended from the ceiling. There were also seven floodlights three of which were above the floor and two that were pointed directly at each basket.
Financing for the New Fieldhouse was by First National Bank of Bloomington and the Fletcher American National Bank of Indianapolis. So the purpose and the future of the New Fieldhouse were set. The New Fieldhouse, which would later be referred to as the Old Fieldhouse would serve as the home court of Indiana basketball from 1928-1929 season through the 1959-1960 season.
In the 31 seasons that the Hoosiers were housed in the Fieldhouse they recorded a 234-74 record. In addition to a 9-0 start under coach Everett Dean in 1936, they had six unbeaten years in the Fieldhouse. The 1953 champions would record the best home record with an 11-0 record on the way to Coach McCracken's first Big Ten championship and the Hoosiers second national championship. The Fieldhouse was the place where Indiana would record their first 20 win season in 1940 ( 20-3 ). From 1938 to 1941, Indiana went on a 24 game home winning streak.
The Hoosiers broke the 100 point mark in the Fieldhouse for the first time against Tony Hinkle's Butler Bulldogs on February 2, 1953 ( 105-70 ). That same season on February 23, Indiana set a record for most points ever scored in the Fieldhouse against arch-rival Purdue ( 113-78 ). All-American Don Schlundt led the way in that game with 31 points, followed by his teammate "Mr. Outside" Bobby Leonard 's 16.
Indiana closed out play in the Fieldhouse by defeating the eventual national Champion Ohio State Buckeyes 99-83 behind Walt Bellamy's 24 points, as all five starters scored in double figures. The win was Indiana's 11th in a row on the way to winning its last 12 games of the 1959-1960 season, in which the Hoosiers finished 20 -4.