History lesson w/ Bill Murphy

Assembly hall

Written By: Bill Murphy

The idea for Assembly Hall would dawn with a schematic drawing in 1949. It would be the year actual plans were made for a basketball pavilion.

"We were also talking about a new football stadium, Fieldhouse in the center of campus, " said Paul "Pooch" Harrell. "From the very beginning, we were determined to have seating on only two sides, since it is difficult to sell seats in the end zone." Harrell was the Indiana man who would be most closely related with Assembly Hall. "He was the athletic director when the first plans were drawn up and would step down as athletic director in 1954 to take over the coordinator 's position for Indiana 's expanding complex," said assistant athletic director Chuck Crabb.

The first design for Assembly Hall would come by way of Osborne engineering, the same firm had designed Yankee Stadium, Michigan Stadium, and Notre Dame Stadium. The design called for a standard four-sided seating arrangement. But this did not meet the ideas of Indiana officials. So what were the ideas of the Indiana officials and why? IU officials wanted a state-of-the-art facility that would be unique from any other ever designed for basketball. After all, this was and is the Hoosier State. They wanted most of the seating on the sides, to ensure a good view of the action. At the time, backboards were solid, so those sitting behind the baskets had an obstructed view, and many times they could not tell if a basket had been made. Indiana, like many schools, installed lights atop the backboards that flashed whenever a basket was scored, much like hockey.

School officials wanted something different and were planning for seating around 20,000 fans. Coach Branch McCracken told the Indianapolis News in an interview in 1953, "That may be too big for us. Maybe 15,000 capacity would be big enough. " Athletic director Paul Harrell found his answer in a North Carolina livestock pavilion. After they had released Osborne from designing both the football and basketball buildings and engaged the Eggers Partnership to design both. Harrell passed the pavilion design on to them as a suggestion for what Indiana officials had in mind. The school officials liked the design so much that they would use it for Memorial Stadium as well. The Eggers Partnership would present the new plans in 1957 for the three structures mentioned above, and the bids were taken. The construction figures, however, far exceeded the estimates and were rejected. So each structure was then bid separately. Assembly Hall would be dropped, and the basketball team would use the New Fieldhouse until the funds became available to build the new basketball stadium.

The year 1967 was one no IU fan will ever forget. Indiana would win four Big Ten championships in football, basketball, men's cross country, and men's swimming. It would also be the year when ground was broken for Assembly Hall on December 22, 1967, the very same day that the Cardiac Kids, the football team, left for Pasadena, California to face zone OJ Simpson and the USC Trojans in the granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl.

The unobstructed views of Assembly Hall are made possible by using a centenary cable system, which eliminates any support post. The 54 cables support a total weight of 2.7 million pounds, using the principles often used in bridge construction. The cables support the long span of the room, which is 350 feet across at its widest point. This is done instead of steel trusses bearing the weight. The cables each land 3/4 inch thick start at a point on the exterior wall behind the seating area and are supported mid-season on two inclined steel arches, running the length of the building.

The room decking is composed of 4,650 pre-cast concrete slabs, each measuring 3x6 and weighing about 600 pounds. The total weight of the building, which rests on a solid bedrock of limestone, is 127 million pounds.

The basketball court is named the "Branch McCracken Memorial Court ", in honor of the basketball coach who brought Indiana its first two national titles. The court can be removed and a full 108'x54' portable stage installed in one day.

The arenas floor has an entrance which will accommodate a loaded semi-trail truck to bring in various traveling shows. Areas under the east stands provide full stage support with individual dressing rooms, stage storage areas, two large chorus rooms, team dressing rooms, and a commissary.

The remaining part of the building, which is totally air-conditioned, provides a home for all of Indiana's intercollegiate teams except swimming. During the beginning years of Assembly Hall, offices of the athletic department were moved into the west main level. The red-and-blue-cushioned theater seats greet fans as they come into the new Assembly Hall.

Basketball would not be the first event in Assembly Hall when it opened on September 12, 1971. Bob Hope and British pop artist Petula Clark headlined Indiana's 1971 football homecoming on October 23. They were the first to perform in Assembly Hall. The 101st edition of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus would follow. The rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar would make an appearance in November. On December 1, 1971, it was finally the basketball team 's turn, and Indiana opened it's new home against Ball State, winning 84-77. On Saturday afternoon, December 18,1971, at 2 pm Indiana dedicated both Assembly Hall and the naming of the Branch McCracken Memorial Basketball Floor. Indiana crushed Notre Dame that day, 94-29. John Ritter would outscore the entire Notre Dame team by himself. It was the 46th and last time an Indiana player would outscore an opposing team.

Assembly Hall cost $26.6 million, and in the 48 years of its existence, it would host many performances other than basketball including campaign speeches, commencement ceremonies, high school tourney games, and concerts, including a concert by Elvis Presley. Presley 's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, had promised Elvis that he would always sing to sellout crowds. Elvis was scheduled to give a concert at a less than sold out Assembly Hall. The Colonel trying to keep his promise moved the people who had tickets in the balcony down to the main level to fill up the lower level. Parker then visited all the local hardware stores buying up all the black plastic trash bags he could find. The black bags were then placed over all the balcony seats to make it appear as if there were not seats in the balcony. For weeks the workers were finding pieces of plastic bags in the balcony. Promise kept, Colonel style.

Although many patrons over the years have complained about balcony seating. A long-time balcony patron once said. "Well, yes , I sit in the front row of the balcony, but no one ever stands up in front of me. And if that happens, then we really have a story.

Sportscaster Gus Johnson would call Assembly Hall, "The Carnegie Hall of Basketball. "

In 2014, Indiana University would announce a $40 million gift from Cindy Simon Skjodt would say, "I grew up going to Indiana University games and have great memories of watching basketball games with my father. The atmosphere in Assembly Hall is truly unmatched anywhere in college basketball. Everyone in our family has enjoyed incredible experiences with Indiana University. We feel fortunate for our relationships, and it's rewarding to give back. We hope others in Hoosier Nation who are able to do so will also give back to help make the Catching Excellence Campaign a success. "

The renovation of Assembly Hall focused on improving amenities to enhance the fan experience. The south lobby was restructured with new entryway and dramatic atrium. Escalators replaced ramps in the south lobby. Throughout the arena, new branding and graphics were updated to celebrate the tradition and success of IU basketball.

Existing bathrooms and concession stands were remodeled and new bathrooms were added to Assembly Hall. A large state-of -art scoreboard was added. The theater seats were updated and box-seat-style seating was added above the south baseline bleachers.

Still remaining is the flagship of Assembly Hall, the banners. The five national championship banners hang at one end and the NIT championship, Big Ten championships, the CCA championship, and newly acquired Women’s NIT championship banners hang on the other end.