110 YEARS OF KANSAS BASKETBALL
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Jayhawk fans make Allen Fieldhouse one of the toughest places to play for opposing teams, according to ESPN.com polls. The Fieldhouse's small quarters, the fans' enthusiasm and the "Rock Chalk" chant contribute to the atmosphere.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPENCER RESEARCH LIBRARY
Allen Fieldhouse originally featured a dirt track for ROTC cadet training surrounding the hardwood floor. Since then, the Fieldhouse has received renovations and upgrades but still has the same feel as it did in 1955, when it was built.
Cameron is often a point of reference when discussing the Fieldhouse, as the two arenas are often pointed to as the sport's premier venues in terms of atmosphere and experience. One ESPN.com poll, which had more than 100,000 votes, voted the Fieldhouse as the "toughest venue for visitors in college basketball," and the place where "you most want to watch a game." It edged Cameron and Kentucky's Rupp Arena in both polls.
The 16,300 capacity Fieldhouse still does not have luxury suites. Only a small fraction of the arena's seating has back rests. More than 4,000 of those seats are reserved for students. The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy, in a recent column about the arena, said this of one of the student's most famous traditions, the "Rock Chalk" chant: "Their chant is a far cry from some of the look-at-me cleverness that's epidemic elsewhere. KU fans are trying to be part of the result, which is an altogether different thing."
Season tickets to the Fieldhouse are annually sold out. The seating of the building is determined by a point system—mostly through donations. Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony recently said that a one-time donation of $100,000 would not be enough to ensure a season ticket holder a front row seat. Such is life for one of the country's hottest tickets.
On top of sitting on old-school bleachers, spectators get a feel for the tradition of the Fieldhouse by looking skyward. The "Pay heed all who enter: Beware of The Phog!" sign is famous, as are the banners commemorating past Jayhawk greats such as Wilt Chamberlain, Danny Manning, Paul Pierce, Lynette Woodard and Drew Gooden.
All of which serve to make the arena among the most respected and revered in the country-if only the customer is willing to substitute comfort and amenities for tradition.
1967-1968: The Jayhawks placed second in the Big 8 and went 22-8 overall for the season, finishing as NIT runners-up.
1968-1969: The Hawks tied for second in the Big 8 with a 9-5 record and a 20-7 overall record.
1969-1970: The Hawks once again tied for second in the Big 8 with an 8-6 record and a 17-9 overall season.
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