Kansas basketball in Hoch Auditorium, in 1953. Following photos courtesy of University Archives
BY RYAN COLAIANNI
INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION BY ALISSA BAUER
There is no explaining, no describing a place like Allen Fieldhouse. 'The reasons are endless. Maybe Allen Fieldhouse is not simply where games are watched and won or lost. It is possible that the "Phog" is more of an aura than a weathered building.
The happenings these walls have are many of the same that have occurred in other stadiums and sports venues across the country. But if this is true, why is it that one trip into Allen Fieldhouse, to watch just one game, holds on to the observer forever? Millions of Kansas fans have poured into the cathedral of college basketball to see their beloved Jayhawks in action. But so does every other fan for any other sport, so what's the big deal?
The answer is simple. The University of Kansas gave us the inventor of basketball in James Naismith and the "Father of Basketball Coaching" in Phog Allen. The University of Kansas is basketball, and Allen Fieldhouse is its home. There is no explanation more clear and no reason more pure.
When Allen Fieldhouse was built, some thought it a crazy idea. A 17,000-seat arena — in an era when basketball was just in its adolescence — seemed excessive. But 50 years later, the venue is undensified, considering the enormous popularity of Kansas basketball. It is likely that the fieldhouse could sell out a 25,000-seat venue every game.
ALLEN FIELDHOUSE
But Allen Fieldhouse almost never happened. It took nearly 30 years from when it was envisioned for it to finally open. In October
1927. Phog Allen first proposed that a field house be built. At that time, Allen was both the Athletics Director and the basketball coach. At the same time Allen proposed a new arena, the Jayhaws were moving from Robinson Gymnasium to Hoch Auditorium, which is present-day Budig Hall.
"Hooh was called the 'House of Horrors' by all the people who came to play there," says Warren Corman, who assisted head architect Frank Johnson in the construction of Allen
TIMELINE
BY JACK WEINSTEIN
1. 1955 - Kansas State 87, Kansas 77
regural game in Allen Fieldhouse. Gene
and the Jayhawks with 21 points.
895 – Missouri 85, Kansas 78
leads, byuture MU coach Norm
20 points, give the Jayhawks their
in Allen Fieldhouse.
1956 - Kansas State 79.
68 Coach Phog Allen's last game in house was the second loss in the and clinched the Big Seven confer-fer for the Wildcats.
December 3, 1956 - Northwestern 69,
Kansas 87 The debul of coach Dick Harp was
also the coming out party for Philadelphia
sophomore Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain
 scored a Big Seven-record 52 points while
grabbing a fieldhouse-record 31 rebounds.
December 14, 1959 - Kentucky 77,
Kansas 72, OT Kansas alum and Kentucky
coach Adolph Rupp returned to Lawrence and
was honored in a pregame ceremony. The 1923
Helms Foundation National Championship
team, of which Rupp was a member, was also
honored.
March 7, 1984 - Oklahoma State 46,
Kansas 58 Dick Hairsto coach his final game
as coach in Allen Fieldhouse. Harp resigned
March 26 and was replaced by assistant Ted
Owens.
December 3, 1964 - New Mexico 40,
Kansas 59 Ted Owens coached his first game
in Allen Fieldhouse.
February 20, 1965 – Kansas State 66,
Kansas 88 At the 8.02 mark of the first half,
two 6-by-12-foot banners unrolled on the east and west sides of the scoreboard that