Amanda Knapp
The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, home to the Indiana University Bloomington Hoosiers men's and women's basketball teams, has a capacity of 17,222. The stadium, which opened in 1971, has undergone several renovations over the years, including the addition of a new scoreboard and updated facilities. The Assembly Hall is known for its unique design, featuring steep sides that contribute to its reputation as one of the loudest venues in college basketball. In 2024, plans were approved for a new $110 million IU Indianapolis Athletics Center with a capacity of 4,500 seats, expected to open in 2026.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall |
| Location | Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana |
| Capacity | 17,222 |
| Opening Year | 1971 |
| Cost | $26.6 million |
| Teams | Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball and women's basketball teams |
| Court Name | Branch McCracken Court |
| Court Dimensions | NA |
| Features | Steep sides, new branding and graphics, remodeled bathrooms and concession stands, state-of-the-art video scoreboard, box seat-style seating, updated HVAC and infrastructure systems, broadcast technology center |
| Recent Renovations | New playing surface (1995), new bleacher seats, media row, and end seating platforms (2018) |
| Future Plans | A new $110 million, 4,500-seat arena approved for downtown Indianapolis, expected to open in 2026 |
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What You'll Learn
The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall has a capacity of 17,222
The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is a basketball arena located on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. With a capacity of 17,222, it is one of the largest college basketball venues in the country. The arena is known for its steep sides, which, along with passionate fans, contribute to it being one of the loudest venues in college basketball.
The Assembly Hall was opened in 1971, replacing the "New" IU Fieldhouse. The court is named after Branch McCracken, the men's basketball coach who led Indiana University to its first two NCAA National Championships in 1940 and 1953. The construction of the arena cost $26.6 million and it was intended to be aesthetically pleasing, with a large capacity and modern conveniences.
Over the years, the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall has undergone several renovations to update its facilities and maintain its iconic design. In 2014, a large state-of-the-art video scoreboard was installed, replacing the previous bifurcated scoreboard. The south lobby was restructured with a new entryway, escalators, and updated branding and graphics celebrating the success of IU basketball. New bathrooms were added, and existing bathrooms and concession stands were remodelled.
The Assembly Hall is home to the Indiana Hoosiers men's and women's basketball teams. Since its opening, it has hosted over six million fans and has been the site of three national championships, 32 straight winning teams, and 14 conference champions. The arena has also hosted a variety of notable sporting events, presidential speeches, and music performances, including Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and The Electric Light Orchestra.
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IU basketball arena is one of the loudest venues
Indiana University's basketball arena, the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, is one of the loudest venues in college basketball. With a capacity of 17,222, it is one of the biggest college basketball arenas in the country. The volume of the arena is due in part to its unique design, with rows of seats bearing down on the court at a steep angle. This design, combined with the passion of the fans, creates an incredibly loud atmosphere.
The Assembly Hall has a rich history in college basketball, having been home to three national championships, 32 straight winning teams, and 14 conference champions. The Indiana Hoosiers men's and women's basketball teams have enjoyed tremendous success at this venue, with the men's team posting home winning streaks of 50 and 35 games. Since its opening in 1971, over six million fans have attended men's basketball games, contributing to the loud and energetic atmosphere.
The arena's design plays a significant role in amplifying the noise created by the fans. The steep sides and large capacity create a cacophony of sound that can be intimidating for visiting teams. The Assembly Hall has been described as a "sacred place" by former head coach Bob Knight, who recognized its significance in college basketball. The combination of passionate fans and unique architecture makes the Assembly Hall one of the loudest venues in the sport.
The Assembly Hall has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years to enhance the experience for fans and players. New bleacher seats, a media row, and end seating platforms have been added, along with state-of-the-art broadcast technology. The south lobby was restructured with a new entryway, atrium, and escalators, improving the flow of the arena. These changes have ensured that the Assembly Hall remains a modern and vibrant venue for college basketball.
While there were discussions about demolishing the Assembly Hall and constructing a new arena, the Indiana University trustees ultimately decided against it due to the high cost. Instead, they opted to renovate and preserve this iconic basketball venue. The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall continues to be a revered and feared arena in college basketball, known for its deafening noise levels and rich basketball history.
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IU basketball arena has undergone multiple renovations
The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, a 17,222-seat arena, is located on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. It is the home of the Indiana Hoosiers men's and women's basketball teams. The Assembly Hall opened in 1971, replacing the "New" IU Fieldhouse. The court is named after Branch McCracken, the men's basketball coach who led the school to its first two NCAA National Championships in 1940 and 1953.
In 1995, Indiana installed a new playing surface and added new bleacher seats, along with a media row and end seating platforms on the Lobby Level.
In 2007, there were discussions about the future of the Assembly Hall. The Indiana University trustees initially approved the demolition of the Assembly Hall and considered constructing a new basketball arena. However, they decided against the idea due to the high cost and opted to renovate the existing Assembly Hall.
In November 2013, Indiana University announced a $40 million donation from Cynthia "Cindy" Simon Skjodt to renovate Assembly Hall. The renovations included restructuring the south lobby with a new entryway and atrium, replacing ramps with escalators, updating branding and graphics, remodelling bathrooms and concession stands, adding new bathrooms, and installing a state-of-the-art video scoreboard. The Assembly Hall was renamed the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall upon the completion of these renovations in October 2016.
In 2018, the J.C. Ripberger Construction Corp completed the new Roberts Family Team Center, which included the Andy Mohr Locker Room, the Oladipo Zeller Legacy Lounge, the Tim Garl Athletic Training Room, and the Basketball Coaches annex.
Additionally, there have been plans approved for a new IU Indianapolis Athletics Center in downtown Indianapolis. This $110 million multi-sport arena will have approximately 4,100 seats and is expected to be open in 2026. It will be home to the IU Indianapolis men's and women's basketball teams, women's volleyball program, and athletic offices.
The IU basketball arena has undergone significant renovations to enhance the experience for athletes and fans, ensuring that it remains a modern and competitive facility.
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IU basketball arena has a new athletic training room
The IU basketball arena, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, is a 17,222-seat arena on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. It is home to the Indiana Hoosiers men's and women's basketball teams. The Assembly Hall has been witness to three national championships, 32 straight winning teams, and 14 conference champions.
In 2007, Indiana University trustees approved the demolition of the Assembly Hall and the construction of a new basketball arena. However, the university later decided to renovate the existing Assembly Hall, which was initially constructed at a cost of $26.6 million. The south lobby was restructured, and the arena's branding and graphics were updated to celebrate the success of IU basketball. The Assembly Hall also received a new playing surface, bleacher seats, and a media row.
In 2024, the Indiana University Board of Trustees approved plans for a new $110 million multi-sport arena in downtown Indianapolis. This new arena, known as the IU Indianapolis Athletics Center, will have approximately 4,100 seats and is expected to open in 2026.
In addition to the new arena in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana University also completed the Roberts Family Team Center in 2018, which includes the Tim Garl Athletic Training Room. This new athletic training room is a welcome addition to the Assembly Hall, providing state-of-the-art treatment and rehabilitation services for student-athletes. With these new facilities, Indiana University demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the training and development opportunities for its basketball student-athletes.
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IU is constructing a new $110 million arena
Indiana University (IU) is constructing a new $110 million arena, named the James T. Morris Arena, in downtown Indianapolis. The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved the construction of the 134,500-square-foot facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The new arena will be home to the IU Indianapolis men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball programs, as well as university athletic offices. It will also serve as the headquarters for USA Track & Field, the national governing body for the sport.
The decision to construct a new arena was made to bolster the athletic program of the burgeoning campus and to provide a larger venue for the men's basketball team, who previously played in a 1,215-seat facility. The new arena will feature a seating capacity of approximately 4,100, with room to expand for special events, accommodating nearly 5,000 attendees in total. The design of the arena will be bowl-shaped, with a single-rake format that boasts a uniform upward slope.
The exterior of the arena will be constructed with limestone and metal, creating an inviting and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The western elevation will be emphasized by sun control and expansive glass windows, enhancing the building's visual appeal while ensuring a comfortable experience for office users. The arena will also feature retractable seating to increase floor space, providing versatility for various events.
The construction of the new arena is expected to be a transformative project for the university and the city of Indianapolis. It will foster school spirit and strengthen the connection between IU and the city's residents. The project is also made possible by the advocacy of Indy civic leader Jim Morris, who played a pivotal role in securing funding and support for the arena.
IU has a rich history in basketball, with the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, a 17,222-seat arena on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, serving as the home of the Indiana Hoosiers men's and women's basketball teams since 1971. The Assembly Hall is well-known for being one of the loudest venues in college basketball and has hosted over six million fans since its opening.
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Frequently asked questions
The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, the IU basketball arena, has a capacity of 17,222 fans.
It is located on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
The arena opened for the 1971-72 season.
No, the current arena replaced the "New" IU Fieldhouse in 1971.
Yes, there are plans to build a new $110 million, 4,500-seat arena in downtown Indianapolis, expected to open in 2026.
