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FightingIllini.com
Assembly Hall
Assembly Hall has served as home of the Fighting Illini since its
construction in 1963. Illinois opened play at Assembly Hall on March 4,
1963 with a 79-73 victory over Northwestern. Since that first game,
Illinois has recorded a 349-107 (.765) mark, including a 96-25 (.793)
record in the 1990s.
Built between 1959-63 at a cost of $8.35 million, the structure
consists of two concrete bowls placed face to face; the 400-foot diameter
of the dome makes it the largest of its kind in the world. The Assembly
Hall has no interior pillars or supports, instead, it is wound with 614
miles of one-fifth inch steel wire. This season, Assembly Hall is
undergoing renovations that include the addition of another ramp on the
northeast side as well as renovations to the locker room and training
room facilities. The arena seating will not be affected by the renovations.
In addition to serving as the home of the Fighting Illini, the
Assembly Hall has hosted stars such as Elvis Presley, Jay Leno, Whitney
Houston, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, MC Hammer, Broadway shows, the Ice
Capades and entertainer Bill Cosby.
Assembly Hall will celebrate the 35th anniversary of its first
basketball game in March 1998. Since 1963, Illinois has recorded 113
sellouts at Assembly Hall, including three consecutive sellouts (Iowa,
Michigan State and Michigan) in 1997. Illinois set an all-time attendance
mark on March 9, 1996 when 16,863 Fighting Illini fans crammed the Hall
to witness Lou Henson's final regular-season game as head coach.
With a seating capacity of 16,450, Assembly Hall is the third
largest basketball arena in the Big Ten.
Big Ten Arena Capacity |
