Williams Arena is an indoor arena located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the home arena for the University of Minnesota's men's and women's basketball teams. It also housed the men's hockey team until 1993, when it moved into its own building, 3M Arena at Mariucci. The building is known as "The Barn", and its student section is known as "The Barnyard".
Williams Arena
"The Barn" "The Barnyard"
July 7, 2007, before the Sacramento Monarchs vs Minnesota Lynx WNBA game
Madsen Construction Company[4] structural steel was fabricated by the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co., Minneapolis (a large farm machinery & steel manufacturer, later part of Minneapolis-Moline Co). The same firm fabricated steel for the Foshay Tower in 1929, being the first skyscraper west of the Mississippi River.
When the Gophers basketball team first organized, they played games in the on-campus YMCA. In 1896, the team moved into the campus Armory, a large building with gymnasium space for the team to use, even if basketball was not its primary purpose.[6]: 6 The Gophers remained in the Armory for almost 30 years. Halfway through the 1924–25 season, coach Harold Taylor moved the team from the University Armory to the Kenwood Armory in downtown Minneapolis.[6]: 50 This significantly increased the attendance: capacity at the University Armory was 2,000, but it was 6,500 at Kenwood. The team only played at Kenwood for a few seasons, however, as the University of Minnesota Field House (later known as Williams Arena) opened partway through the 1927–1928 season. The team moved in on January 31, 1928.[6]: 50
The entrance
Initially known as the Minnesota Field House (another building has that name today), Williams Arena was constructed in the 1920s and opened in 1928. The original construction of Williams Arena cost $650,000.[7] The arena was remodeled in 1950, and renamed Williams Arena after Henry L. Williams, the football coach from 1900 to 1921.
As part of the 1950 renovation, it was divided into two separate arenas within one building—a larger one for basketball and a smaller one for hockey. Both arenas were called Williams Arena until March 2, 1985, when the hockey section was renamed Mariucci Arena after longtime Gopher hockey coach John Mariucci. The hockey team moved into a new building across the street from Williams in 1993, also named Mariucci Arena. The old Mariucci Arena within Williams was remodeled into the Sports Pavilion, now the Maturi Pavilion, named for former University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi in August 2017.[8] which houses the volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastic teams.
The venue hosted the 1951 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament championship game and the 1964 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Mideast Regional. Williams Arena has hosted the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA women's basketball tournament in 2005, 2007, and 2010. The hockey portion of Williams hosted the Frozen Four in 1958 and 1966. The Minnesota Lynx played all of their 2017 postseason home games at Williams Arena, ultimately winning the franchise's fourth WNBA championship in the building.[9]
Williams Arena was used for the filming of scenes in the 1978 film, Ice Castles.[10]
Design
Temporary air conditioning was required for the 2017 WNBA Finals so the arena would meet WNBA temperature standards.[11]
The building has an arched roof, in the same manner as an airplane hangar. The double arch steel beams allows an open space for the bleachers and floor. There are some seats with partially obscured views due to the upper deck extending past the trusses. Over the summer of 2012, a new Daktronics videoboard and fascia displays were installed as part of a sporting facility update, replacing the older board. The new board is 11'7"x13'8" with LED rings above and below the main display. The fascia extends 360° around the arena.
New videoboard installed prior to the 2012-13 season
Raised floor
Williams Arena features an unusual raised floor design. The court surface is raised above the ground approximately two feet so that players' benches, officials tables, etc., are actually below the court. The same goes for fans with the first row looking at players at about knee-level. Normally, other than the officials and those players actively playing, only head coaches are allowed to be on the court itself. The raised floor is one of only a few remaining examples left and contributes significantly to the historic aura of the 90-year-old arena. This served as the inspiration for the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship to host stadiums for their Final Four as of 2009 to have the floor about 3 feet (0.91 m) off the stadium floor as part of an increased capacity to a minimum of 70,000. The floor in Williams Arena recently underwent a replacement. PCL Construction began work on May 11, 2009, replacing the original playing surface from 1928 with a new floor along with new basketball goals. This was the first major upgrade to the facility since a renovation occurred in the early 1990s. Memorial Gymnasium at Vanderbilt University[12] and Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University[13] are two other existing arenas with a raised floor. Robertson Memorial Field House at Bradley University, since demolished, also used a raised floor.[14]
Seating capacity
From 1950 until the opening of Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in 1971, it had the largest capacity of any collegiate basketball arena in the country. Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University also was constructed in 1928, and held the honor of being the highest capacity arena until the remodeling of Williams Arena in 1950.
^"New $650,000 Field House of Tremendous Size" (PDF). Minnesota Alumni Weekly. 27 (17): 7. February 11, 1928. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved April 16, 2022.
^"Fun Facts: Folwell Hall Renovation". University of Minnesota. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^ ab"The Architect, the Engineers, the Contractors and Sub-Contractors Who Are Building the Field House" (PDF). Minnesota Alumni Weekly. 27 (17): 343. February 11, 1928. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^Rippel, Joel A.; Reusse, Patrick (2006). Minnesota Sports Almanac. Saint Paul: The Minnesota Historical Society Press. p. 366. ISBN0-87351-558-7. Retrieved February 12, 2012. false.
^ abcHugunin, Marc and Stew Thornley. Minnesota Hoops: Basketball in the North Star State. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2006.
^"Williams Arena Tickets". PerfectTix. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^"Maturi Pavilion". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
^Frederick, Jace (July 27, 2017). "Lynx to play postseason home games at Williams Arena". Pioneer Press. Digital First. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
^Frederick, Jace (September 12, 2017). "Now cooled, Williams Arena ready to host Lynx's playoff run". Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
^Vanderbilt University Admissions: Self-Guided Tours
^Richards, Phil (March 8, 2007). "History's Home Court". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 8, 2007. What makes a basketball building a cathedral? The tradition? The ghosts of great players and great games past? The raised floor with its singular springiness
^Ori, Ryan (March 25, 2008). "Remembering Robertson: Origins of a Mecca". Journal Star (Peoria). Retrieved March 25, 2008.
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Not to be confused with Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum Williams Arena is an indoor arena located in Minneapolis Minnesota It is the home arena for the University of Minnesota s men s and women s basketball teams It also housed the men s hockey team until 1993 when it moved into its own building 3M Arena at Mariucci The building is known as The Barn and its student section is known as The Barnyard Williams Arena The Barn The Barnyard July 7 2007 before the Sacramento Monarchs vs Minnesota Lynx WNBA gameWilliams ArenaLocation in MinnesotaShow map of MinnesotaWilliams ArenaLocation in the United StatesShow map of the United StatesFormer namesMinnesota Field House 1928 1950 Location1925 Southeast University AvenueMinneapolis Minnesota 55455Coordinates44 58 37 N 93 13 42 W 44 97694 N 93 22833 W 44 97694 93 22833 Coordinates 44 58 37 N 93 13 42 W 44 97694 N 93 22833 W 44 97694 93 22833OwnerUniversity of MinnesotaOperatorUniversity of MinnesotaCapacity14 625 arena proper 5 700 Maturi Pavilion SurfaceMulti surfaceConstructionBroke groundMay 10 1927 1 OpenedFebruary 4 1928 5 Renovated1950 1993 1997Construction cost 650 000 10 3 million in 2021 dollars 2 ArchitectClarence H Johnston Sr 3 HGA Hastings Chivetta renovations Services engineerPillsbury Engineering Company 4 General contractorMadsen Construction Company 4 structural steel was fabricated by the Minneapolis Steel amp Machinery Co Minneapolis a large farm machinery amp steel manufacturer later part of Minneapolis Moline Co The same firm fabricated steel for the Foshay Tower in 1929 being the first skyscraper west of the Mississippi River TenantsMinnesota Men s Basketball Minnesota Women s Basketball1951 NCAA Division I men s basketball tournamentWilliams Arena is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of University Avenue and 19th Ave SE in Minneapolis on the U of M s East Bank campus It is in a neighborhood called Stadium Village named for the old Memorial Stadium that stood there until its demolition in 1992 The arena is adjacent to Huntington Bank Stadium 3M Arena at Mariucci and Ridder Arena where the football and hockey teams respectively play Contents 1 History 2 Design 2 1 Raised floor 2 2 Seating capacity 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditWhen the Gophers basketball team first organized they played games in the on campus YMCA In 1896 the team moved into the campus Armory a large building with gymnasium space for the team to use even if basketball was not its primary purpose 6 6 The Gophers remained in the Armory for almost 30 years Halfway through the 1924 25 season coach Harold Taylor moved the team from the University Armory to the Kenwood Armory in downtown Minneapolis 6 50 This significantly increased the attendance capacity at the University Armory was 2 000 but it was 6 500 at Kenwood The team only played at Kenwood for a few seasons however as the University of Minnesota Field House later known as Williams Arena opened partway through the 1927 1928 season The team moved in on January 31 1928 6 50 The entrance Initially known as the Minnesota Field House another building has that name today Williams Arena was constructed in the 1920s and opened in 1928 The original construction of Williams Arena cost 650 000 7 The arena was remodeled in 1950 and renamed Williams Arena after Henry L Williams the football coach from 1900 to 1921 As part of the 1950 renovation it was divided into two separate arenas within one building a larger one for basketball and a smaller one for hockey Both arenas were called Williams Arena until March 2 1985 when the hockey section was renamed Mariucci Arena after longtime Gopher hockey coach John Mariucci The hockey team moved into a new building across the street from Williams in 1993 also named Mariucci Arena The old Mariucci Arena within Williams was remodeled into the Sports Pavilion now the Maturi Pavilion named for former University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi in August 2017 8 which houses the volleyball wrestling and gymnastic teams The venue hosted the 1951 NCAA Division I men s basketball tournament championship game and the 1964 NCAA Division I men s basketball tournament Mideast Regional Williams Arena has hosted the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA women s basketball tournament in 2005 2007 and 2010 The hockey portion of Williams hosted the Frozen Four in 1958 and 1966 The Minnesota Lynx played all of their 2017 postseason home games at Williams Arena ultimately winning the franchise s fourth WNBA championship in the building 9 Williams Arena was used for the filming of scenes in the 1978 film Ice Castles 10 Design Edit Temporary air conditioning was required for the 2017 WNBA Finals so the arena would meet WNBA temperature standards 11 The building has an arched roof in the same manner as an airplane hangar The double arch steel beams allows an open space for the bleachers and floor There are some seats with partially obscured views due to the upper deck extending past the trusses Over the summer of 2012 a new Daktronics videoboard and fascia displays were installed as part of a sporting facility update replacing the older board The new board is 11 7 x13 8 with LED rings above and below the main display The fascia extends 360 around the arena New videoboard installed prior to the 2012 13 season Raised floor Edit Williams Arena features an unusual raised floor design The court surface is raised above the ground approximately two feet so that players benches officials tables etc are actually below the court The same goes for fans with the first row looking at players at about knee level Normally other than the officials and those players actively playing only head coaches are allowed to be on the court itself The raised floor is one of only a few remaining examples left and contributes significantly to the historic aura of the 90 year old arena This served as the inspiration for the NCAA Men s Division I Basketball Championship to host stadiums for their Final Four as of 2009 to have the floor about 3 feet 0 91 m off the stadium floor as part of an increased capacity to a minimum of 70 000 The floor in Williams Arena recently underwent a replacement PCL Construction began work on May 11 2009 replacing the original playing surface from 1928 with a new floor along with new basketball goals This was the first major upgrade to the facility since a renovation occurred in the early 1990s Memorial Gymnasium at Vanderbilt University 12 and Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University 13 are two other existing arenas with a raised floor Robertson Memorial Field House at Bradley University since demolished also used a raised floor 14 Seating capacity Edit From 1950 until the opening of Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in 1971 it had the largest capacity of any collegiate basketball arena in the country Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University also was constructed in 1928 and held the honor of being the highest capacity arena until the remodeling of Williams Arena in 1950 Seating capacity 1928 1950 14 1001950 1971 18 0251971 1987 17 5001987 1993 16 4341993 1997 14 3211997 present 14 625See also EditList of NCAA Division I basketball arenasReferences Edit New 650 000 Field House of Tremendous Size PDF Minnesota Alumni Weekly 27 17 7 February 11 1928 Retrieved November 11 2013 1634 1699 McCusker J J 1997 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States Addenda et Corrigenda PDF American Antiquarian Society 1700 1799 McCusker J J 1992 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States PDF American Antiquarian Society 1800 present Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Consumer Price Index estimate 1800 Retrieved April 16 2022 Fun Facts Folwell Hall Renovation University of Minnesota Retrieved November 11 2013 a b The Architect the Engineers the Contractors and Sub Contractors Who Are Building the Field House PDF Minnesota Alumni Weekly 27 17 343 February 11 1928 Retrieved November 11 2013 Rippel Joel A Reusse Patrick 2006 Minnesota Sports Almanac Saint Paul The Minnesota Historical Society Press p 366 ISBN 0 87351 558 7 Retrieved February 12 2012 false a b c Hugunin Marc and Stew Thornley Minnesota Hoops Basketball in the North Star State St Paul Minnesota Historical Society Press 2006 Williams Arena Tickets PerfectTix Retrieved November 11 2013 Maturi Pavilion University of Minnesota Athletics Retrieved December 17 2018 Frederick Jace July 27 2017 Lynx to play postseason home games at Williams Arena Pioneer Press Digital First Retrieved August 27 2017 Ice Castles 1978 Filming Locations Internet Movie Database Retrieved November 11 2013 Frederick Jace September 12 2017 Now cooled Williams Arena ready to host Lynx s playoff run Pioneer Press Retrieved October 5 2017 Vanderbilt University Admissions Self Guided Tours Richards Phil March 8 2007 History s Home Court The Indianapolis Star Retrieved March 8 2007 What makes a basketball building a cathedral The tradition The ghosts of great players and great games past The raised floor with its singular springiness Ori Ryan March 25 2008 Remembering Robertson Origins of a Mecca Journal Star Peoria Retrieved March 25 2008 1 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Williams Arena Williams Arena at GopherSports comPreceded byMadison Square Garden NCAA Men s Division I Basketball TournamentFinals Venue1951 Succeeded byHec Edmundson PavilionPreceded byBroadmoor Ice PalaceColorado Springs Colorado Host of theFrozen Four1958 Succeeded byRPI Field HouseTroy New YorkPreceded byMeehan AuditoriumProvidence Rhode Island Host of theFrozen Four1966 Succeeded byOnondaga War MemorialSyracuse New York conservancy umn edu bitstream 53976 1 umaaMag 027 4 pdf Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Williams Arena amp oldid 1112020744, wikipedia, 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