View source for Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

{{short description|Basketball arena at Indiana University Bloomington}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
| image = Assembly Hall - Bloomington, IN - December 2015.jpg
| caption= Assembly Hall in December 2015.
| image_size = 
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}
| location = 1001 East 17th Street<br/>[[Bloomington, Indiana]] 47408-1590
| coordinates = {{coord|39|10|51|N|86|31|20|W|type:landmark_region:US-IN|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = December 22, 1967<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tower|first1=Debbie|journal=Commerce and Indiana|title=IU Assembly Hall|location=Indianapolis|publisher=Indiana Department of Commerce|date=1972}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=IU Football Team Practices, Then Travels to Pasadena|first=Dale|last=Burgess|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oSFjAAAAIBAJ&pg=4074,6069701&dq=en|newspaper=The Rochester Sentinel|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=December 22, 1967|access-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref>
| built = 
| opened = September 12, 1971<ref>{{cite web |title=Bob Hope Concert Setlist at Indiana University Simon Scott Assembly Hall |url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bob-hope/1971/indiana-university-assembly-hall-bloomington-in-5bd32bd4.html|work=Setlist.fm|access-date=November 28, 2012}}</ref>
| owner = IU
| surface = Hardwood
| construction_cost = [[United States dollar|$]]26.6 million<ref>{{cite book |title=Indiana University Basketball: For the Thrill of It|last=Tolliver|first=Melanie|year=2002|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|location=Champaign, Illinois|isbn=1-58261-579-9|page=11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yj_G7-ZILNgC&q=en&pg=PA11|access-date=January 22, 2012}}</ref><br/>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|26600000|1971}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect = [[Eggers & Higgins]]
| structural engineer = [[Fred Severud|Severud Associates]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Projects|url=http://www.severud.com/projects/projects.php?alb=5#id=album-5&num=64|archive-date=January 4, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104221601/http://www.severud.com/projects/projects.php?alb=5%23id=album-5&num=64|url-status=dead|publisher=Severud Associates|access-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref>
| general_contractor = F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University|url=http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/iubot/view?docId=1971-12-18&chunk.id=d1e960&toc.id=&brand=iubot|publisher=Indiana University Bloomington|date=December 18, 1971|access-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref>
| former_names = Assembly Hall (1971–2016)
| tenants = [[Indiana Hoosiers]] ([[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]) (1971–present)
| seating_capacity = 17,222 (2016-present)<br/>17,472 (2011-2016)<br/>17,456 (2005-2011)<br/>17,257 (2000-2005)<br/>17,357 (1976-2000)<br/>16,746 (1973-1976)<br/>16,666 (1971-1973)
}} 
'''Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall''' ({{IPAc-en|s|k|ɒ|t|}} {{respell|SCOTT}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/45194-assembly-hall-to-carry-simon-skjodt-name-after-major-renovation|title=Assembly Hall to carry Simon Skjodt name after major renovation|publisher=[[Indianapolis Business Journal]]|access-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703085821/https://www.ibj.com/articles/45194-assembly-hall-to-carry-simon-skjodt-name-after-major-renovation|archive-date=July 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> is a 17,222-seat [[arena]] on the campus of [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]] in [[Bloomington, Indiana]]. It is the home of the [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball]] and [[Indiana Hoosiers women's basketball|women's basketball]] teams. It opened in 1971, replacing the [[Gladstein Fieldhouse|"New" IU Fieldhouse]].<ref name="IU">{{cite web|title=Assembly Hall|url=http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/facilities/ind-facilities-assembly.html|publisher=Indiana University Athletics|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> The court is named after [[Branch McCracken]], the men's basketball coach who led the school to its first two [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA National Championships]] in [[1939–40 Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team|1940]] and [[1952–53 Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team|1953]].

==History==

===Construction===
Indiana officials spent decades planning and four years of construction before The Assembly Hall was finally opened in 1971 at a cost of $26.6 million.<ref name="Hiner">{{cite book |title=Indiana University Basketball Encyclopedia|last=Hiner|first=Jason|author2=Van Arsdale, Dick|year=2005|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|location=Champaign, Illinois|isbn=1-58261-655-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PtrhqxYPifMC}}</ref> The new "Assembly Hall" was named in honor of the school's first basketball arena of the same name. The facility was intended to be aesthetically pleasing and hold a large capacity while offering modern conveniences.

The opening of the arena coincided with the debut of coach [[Bob Knight]], who guided the Hoosiers for 29 seasons before his dismissal by then-IU president [[Myles Brand]] in September 2000.

School officials were intent on having the majority of the seats on the sides in order to improve the viewing experience, with only a small number (20 rows of bleachers) behind the baskets.<ref name="Hiner"/> Thus, in order to fit over 17,000 seats in the arena the sides needed to be very steep. The facility also features two balconies, but they are so high up that sitting in them can feel quite far away from the court.

The Assembly Hall has been criticized by some fans for its unique design.<ref>{{cite news|title=Should IU Replace The Assembly Hall?|first=John|last=M|url=http://www.crimsonquarry.com/2009/7/24/960767/should-iu-replace-assembly-hall|work=[[SB Nation]]|date=June 24, 2009|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Because the facility was designed without consideration for the video replay board added in 2005 that currently hangs above center-court, some of the top rows of the lower level are obstructed from the replay board by the overhanging balcony.  The entire court itself, however, is still viewable.  In December 2013, 24 monitors were added to the areas that had previously been obstructed.  Work was completed by Strauser Construction and Cassady Electric.

In the fall of 2018, J.C. Ripberger Construction Corp completed the new Roberts Family Team Center which includes, the new Andy Mohr Locker Room, the Oladipo Zeller Legacy Lounge, the Tim Garl Athletic Training Room and the Basketball Coaches annex. Project was completed just prior to 2018 Hoosier Hysteria.

===Upgrades and improvements===
[[File:Scoreboard in Assembly Hall (Bloomington).jpg|thumb|Assembly Hall score/replay board, added in 2005]]Indiana installed a new playing surface during the summer of 1995. New bleacher seats were also added, along with a media row and end seating platforms on Lobby Level.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Basketball Palace|first=Ken|last=Bikoff|url=http://indiana.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1070794|work=Inside Indiana|date=April 4, 2010|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>

Upon his dismissal from Indiana, head coach [[Bob Knight]] predicted that with his departure advertisements would soon find their way into The Assembly Hall. Knight said, "You'll see a new Assembly Hall this year I'm sure. There will probably be ads in it for everything from dog biscuits to Pepsi Cola, I would imagine. We've always tried to keep it really free from commercialism. It's kind of a sacred place where students come to play and students come to cheer."<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobby Knight Speaks|url=http://www.indystar.com/videonetwork/605756439001/Part-1-Bobby-Knight-speaks|work=[[WTHR]]|location=Indianapolis|date=September 10, 2010|access-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref> In 2005 the school completed construction of a state-of-the-art, $1.9 million scoreboard-video board. As with Knight, some Hoosier purists criticized the new scoreboard and advertisements, which had never before been in The Assembly Hall.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Assembly Scoreboard to Bring Video, Ads|first=Dan|last=Click|url=http://idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=41989|newspaper=[[Indiana Daily Student]]|location=Indiana University Bloomington|date=April 7, 2012|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>

In the spring of 2010 a new practice facility called Cook Hall was added adjacent to The Assembly Hall. The two facilities are connected to each other by a tunnel. Cook Hall is {{convert|67000|sqft|m2}} and features coaches' offices, locker rooms, player lounges, meeting/video rooms, new practice courts, training rooms, a strength development area, and a Legacy Court.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cook Hall|url=http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/facilities/ind-facilities-cook-hall.html|publisher=Indiana Athletics|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>

===2015 renovation and renaming===
On December 19, 2013, Indiana University announced that a $40 million donation from Cynthia "Cindy" Simon Skjodt, daughter of late shopping mall magnate and [[Indiana Pacers]] owner [[Melvin Simon|Mel Simon]], would be used to renovate Assembly Hall.<ref>{{cite news|title=$40 million donated for Assembly Hall renovations|first=Alden|last=Woods|url=https://www.idsnews.com/article/2013/12/40-million-donated-for-assembly-hall-renovations|work=[[Indiana Daily Student]]|date=December 19, 2013|access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> Indiana University renamed Assembly Hall the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall upon the completion of the renovations and improvements, which were completed in October 2016.

The south lobby was restructured with a new entryway and dramatic atrium. Escalators replaced ramps in the south lobby. Throughout the arena, new branding and graphics were updated to celebrate the tradition and success of IU basketball.

Existing bathrooms and concession stands were remodeled and new bathrooms added. A large state-of-the-art video scoreboard replaced the current bifurcated scoreboard. Box seat-style seating was added above the south baseline bleachers and will generate revenue to pay for this seating and to help fund ongoing upkeep of Assembly Hall.

Behind the scenes, Assembly Hall's HVAC and other infrastructure systems were updated and a state-of-the-art broadcast technology center was added to enhance IU Athletics video production and game day broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Historic $40 Million Gift Will Renovate Indiana University's Assembly Hall and Launch Unprecedented Capital Campaign for IU Athletics|url=http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/c-varsityclub/spec-rel/121913aaa.html|publisher=Indiana University|access-date=2013-12-19}}</ref>

===Safety issues===
On February 18, 2014, an {{convert|8|foot|adj=on}} long beam over a foot wide fell and damaged the seats at Assembly Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10478113/game-iowa-hawkeyes-indiana-hoosiers-postponed-piece-ceiling-falls|title=Iowa-Indiana game postponed|last=Medcalf|first=Myron|date=18 February 2014|work=ESPN.com|access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vine.co/v/MZJAjqL76En|title = Vine}}</ref> The scheduled game for that day against the University of Iowa was postponed due to safety concerns in spite of multiple available arenas in Indiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2014/02/18/assembly-hall-indiana-university-basketball/5584355/|title=IU basketball game postponed after metal falls from Assembly Hall ceiling|last=Osterman|first=Zach|date=18 February 2014|publisher=IndyStar.com|access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref>

On January 28, 2023, a bracket over a foot long fell onto the court at Assembly Hall during halftime against the Ohio State Buckeyes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frank |first1=Evan |title=Metal falls from Assembly Hall jumbotron, briefly delays start of IU-Ohio State 2nd half |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2023/01/29/iu-basketball-metal-falls-from-assembly-hall-jumbotron-delays-ohio-state-game-indiana/69851522007/ |publisher=Indianapolis Star |access-date=30 January 2023}}</ref>

==Atmosphere and success==
The Assembly Hall is well known as being one of the loudest venues in college basketball, aided both by passionate fans and its unique design of steep sides. A 2012 poll of four ESPN pundits ranked it third in terms of best home-court advantages in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=King's Court: UK's Backcourt Blues|first=Jason|last=King|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8712505/king-court-examines-kentucky-point-guard-void-scours-nation-college-basketball|work=[[ESPN]]|date=December 12, 2012|access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> Since opening for the 1971–72 season, over six million fans have attended men's basketball games at the venue.  The men's team has been historically successful there, posting home winning streaks of 50 and 35 games.<ref name="IU"/> The Assembly Hall has been home to three national championships, 32 straight winning teams, and 14 conference champions.

During the 2015-2016 basketball season, both the men's and women's teams went undefeated at Assembly Hall, posting a combined 33–0 record at home.

==Proposed replacement==
On June 22, 2007, Indiana University trustees approved the demolition of the Assembly Hall and the construction of a new basketball arena "when appropriate".  Populous was hired to assess the benefits of renovating or replacing the Assembly Hall.  The trustees decided against renovating the arena for $115 million because construction of a new arena would cost $130 million. This idea was scrapped due to the university changing course and opting to renovate Assembly Hall.<ref>{{cite news|title=IU Trustees Back Move to Replace Assembly Hall|url=http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6695408|work=[[WTHR]]|location=Indianapolis|date=June 22, 2007|access-date=April 8, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225061701/http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6695408|archive-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref>

==Events==

*[[Bob Hope]] & [[Petula Clark]] – September 12, 1971 (Football Homecoming)
*''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' – Fall 1971
*[[The Temptations]] – April 28, 1972
*[[The Jackson 5]] – April 29, 1972
*The Little 500 Concerts – April 12, 2011, and April 20, 2012
*[[Seals and Crofts]] – September 14, 1972
*[[Stephen Stills]] – October 19, 1972, with [[Manassas (band)|Manassas]]
*[[Elton John]] – October 7, 1973
*[[The Doobie Brothers]] – December 8, 1973
*[[Bob Dylan]] – February 3, 1974, with [[The Band]] and October 19, 2007, with Elvis Costello and [[Amos Lee]]
*The [[Electric Light Orchestra]] – April 19, 1974, and November 7, 1981, with [[Hall & Oates]]
*[[Elvis Presley]] & The [[TCB Band]] – June 27, 1974, and May 27, 1976
*[[The Beach Boys]] – September 1, 1974, with The Eagles and Kansas and October 17, 1981, with [[Red Rider]]
*[[John Denver]] – October 5, 1974
*[[Traffic (band)|Traffic]] – October 18, 1974, with [[Fairport Convention]]
*[[Blue Öyster Cult]] – November 10, 1974, with [[Aerosmith]] and October 26, 1980, with [[Molly Hatchet]]
*[[Gordon Lightfoot]] – January 31 and April 5, 1975
*[[The Rolling Stones]] – July 26, 1975
*[[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] – October 31, 1975
*[[The Who]] – November 30, 1975
*The [[Grateful Dead]] – October 30, 1977
*Sub-regional [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA basketball tournament]] games – 1977 and 1979
*[[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] – April 9, 1978
*[[Frank Zappa]] – September 24, 1978
*[[Little Feat]] – October 1, 1978
*[[Elvis Costello]] & [[The Attractions]] – April 10, 1979, with [[The Rubinoos]]
*[[Yes (band)|Yes]] – April 10, 1979
*[[Kansas (band)|Kansas]] – October 5, 1979, and September 19, 1982, with [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]]
*The [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] – October 12, 1979
*[[Jackson Browne]] – September 14, 1980
*Midwest regional finals of the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA basketball tournament]] – 1981
*[[Barry Manilow]] – October 6, 1981
*[[Electric Light Orchestra|ELO]] with special guest [[Hall & Oates]] – November 7, 1981<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/ElectricLightOrchestra/photos/a.1713479055368943/2704690086247830/?type=3&eid=ARBSgYyV6Dk_l0CqtX_MBoxIiuQ_3mcCo7RcinDHOklccArs9kmhdrTiii29YLBu-XzolEZqIfQszqp2&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBi100kwknTbwbxJCQkakvp7cIqKM5pBrITUjlmGMo1YjIYQJigW8RE_ziEot4I7ok8wJT2a5ko0TBfTZRqH4WGX2xRopBth4QlINRPb57fQQqWbknpDF2QD9ffNuha4YQUsSFVEcKMGC1NahRwMEbRsN-dqp8wAuIiKXMM083DJITLTWPfWbjDxrtGQQPl48Ll_bQK8IDDOd1CgGsq_FLdqdu8mz48HMrCMytAvV--4vKkkyQy9Os5w4kgtODY0PFKT5JLK2FfvXHsvfV9MyQjAI42BTEf4aiL3z4Sn0THJb_YksofArP3d1CQ6zng2XxFeulsRsBzcqLnFjdjapRqvA&__tn__=EEHH-R ELO show 1981]</ref>
*[[Neil Diamond]] – September 9, 1982
*[[Dan Fogelberg]] – October 9, 1982
*[[Phil Collins]] – January 29, 1983
*[[Jimmy Buffett]] & The [[Coral Reefer Band]] – April 11, 1983
*[[Neil Young]] – September 16, 1983, with The Shocking Pinks
*[[Chicago (band)|Chicago]] – December 4, 1984
*[[Supertramp]] – October 12, 1985, with [[The Motels]]
*[[Sting (musician)|Sting]] – February 24, 1988
*[[Bush (British band)|Bush]] – April 20, 1996, with [[No Doubt]] and The [[Goo Goo Dolls]]
*The [[Canadian Brass]] – August 19, 1996
*[[The Smashing Pumpkins]] – January 18, 1997, with The [[Fountains of Wayne]]
*The [[Counting Crows]] – February 20, 1997
*[[Bill Gates]] – October 12, 1998
*[[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]] – October 6, 1999
*The [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] – April 8, 2000, with The [[Foo Fighters]] and [[Muse (band)|Muse]]
*[[John Mellencamp]] – November 3, 2002
*[[Def Leppard]] – October 28, 2006, with [[Journey (band)|Journey]] and [[Stoll Vaughan]]
*[[Bill Clinton]] – April 2, 2008
*[[Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds]] – April 7, 2008
*[[Hillary Clinton]] – April 25, 2008
*[[Barack Obama]] – April 30, 2008
*[[Lil Wayne]] – April 12, 2011, with [[Jeezy]], [[Rick Ross]] and [[Nicki Minaj]]
*[[Afrojack]] – April 18, 2012
*[[Macklemore]] – April 17, 2013
*Lil Wayne – March 3, 2016
*[[Luke Bryan]] and [[Brett Eldredge]] – February 17, 2017
*[[Neil deGrasse Tyson]] – March 22, 2017
*[[Daniel Tosh]] – April 18, 2017
*First Four and First Round games of the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA basketball tournament]] – March 2021
*2022 first and second-round games of the NCAA Women's Tournament

==See also==
*[[Indiana–Kentucky rivalry]]
*[[Indiana–Purdue rivalry]]
*[[Illinois–Indiana men's basketball rivalry]]
*[[List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas]]
*[[List of indoor arenas in the United States]]
*[[List of music venues in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Assembly Hall, Indiana}}
*[http://www.iuhoosiers.com/facilities/ind-facilities-assembly.html Assembly Hall – Indiana University Athletics]

{{Indiana University Bloomington}}
{{Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball navbox}}
{{Indiana Hoosiers women's basketball navbox}}
{{Big Ten Conference basketball venue navbox}}
{{Big Ten Conference basketball student section navbox}}
{{Indiana NCAA Division I college basketball venue navbox}}
{{Music venues of Indiana}}

[[Category:Indiana Hoosiers basketball venues]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bloomington, Indiana]]
[[Category:University and college buildings completed in 1971]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1971]]