Haas Pavilion
Encyclopedia
The Walter A. Haas, Jr. Pavilion is the home of the University of California
's men's and women's basketball
, women's volleyball
, and men's and women's gymnastics
teams. The arena is located in the middle of the main University of California sports complex, overlooking Evans Diamond
(baseball) and Edwards Stadium
(track/soccer).
tried to have it renamed "Harmon Arena" when he became coach, but it never really caught on. The playing surface, after being known as simply "Room 100" since the arena opened, was renamed Pete Newell Court in 1987 in honor of Pete Newell
, who led Cal to the national championship in 1959.
Proposals for replacing the old gym were bandied about from the 1970s onward, but sentiment was strongly in favor of rebuilding it instead. As a result, the arena was heavily renovated from 1997 to 1999 after a donation of about $11 million from Walter A. Haas, Jr.
of Levi Strauss & Co.
, building a new seating bowl within the existing walls.
The new facility retains the intimate atmosphere of its predecessor, while having almost two times the seating capacity
at 11,877. In particular, there are no soundproofing devices. The arena contains The Bench, a courtside section that holds approximately 900 student fans. The amount of student seating doubled from the old arena, up to 2,600 from 1,300. It also holds the Pac-Ten Women's Basketball attendance record of 10,525 people, set during a game against rival Stanford University on February 23, 2008.
Construction for the new $57.5 million arena began after the final home game in March 1997 and was finished for the start of the 1999 season. During the construction, the basketball teams played at both the Kaiser Convention Center
and the Oakland Arena (now Oracle Arena) in Oakland.
The 2009 men's basketball game between Cal and arch rival Stanford
on February 14 was part of a special celebration commemorating the 100th season of Golden Bear
basketball, as well as a recognition of the 50th anniversary of Cal's national title in 1959.
On February 28, 2009 ESPN's College Gameday
made its first appearance in Berkeley broadcasting live from inside Haas Pavilion for the men's basketball game against the #18 UCLA Bruins
. Cal lost despite a large turnout.
On January 21, 2009 Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area's
Chronicle Live filmed their show inside Haas for the men's basketball game against Oregon
, which Cal would win. Chronicle Live Host Greg Papa also called the play-by-play for the game which was televised on Comcast Sportsnet California.
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
's men's and women's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, women's volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, and men's and women's gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
teams. The arena is located in the middle of the main University of California sports complex, overlooking Evans Diamond
Evans Diamond
Evans Diamond is a college baseball stadium in Berkeley, California, on the campus of the University of California. Opened in 1933, it is the home field of the Cal Golden Bears of the Pac-10, with a seating capacity of 2,500. Evans Diamond is located in the UC sports complex in the southwest corner...
(baseball) and Edwards Stadium
Edwards Stadium
Edwards Stadium is the track & field and soccer venue for the University of California Golden Bears.This Art Deco-styled stadium was designed by architects Warren C. Perry and George W. Kelham, and named after Col. George C. Edwards, opening in 1932...
(track/soccer).
History
The arena was originally built in 1933 as the Men's Gym. It was renamed Harmon Gym in 1959, after Oakland financier A.K.P. Harmon, who donated the funds to build Cal's first indoor athletic facility in 1879. Lou CampanelliLou Campanelli
Lou Campanelli is an American basketball coach. He served as head coach at University of California, Berkeley from 1986 to 1993.Campanelli played a significant role in Pac-10 men's basketball, having served as head basketball coach at California for eight years from 1985-93. He compiled a record of...
tried to have it renamed "Harmon Arena" when he became coach, but it never really caught on. The playing surface, after being known as simply "Room 100" since the arena opened, was renamed Pete Newell Court in 1987 in honor of Pete Newell
Pete Newell
Peter Francis Newell was an American college men's basketball coach and basketball instructional coach. He coached for 15 years at the University of San Francisco, Michigan State University and the University of California, Berkeley, compiling an overall record of 234 wins and 123 losses...
, who led Cal to the national championship in 1959.
Proposals for replacing the old gym were bandied about from the 1970s onward, but sentiment was strongly in favor of rebuilding it instead. As a result, the arena was heavily renovated from 1997 to 1999 after a donation of about $11 million from Walter A. Haas, Jr.
Walter A. Haas, Jr.
Walter A. Haas, Jr. was a president and CEO and chairman of Levi Strauss & Co, succeeding his father Walter A. Haas. He led the company in its growth from a regional manufacturer and wholesaler of work clothes to one of the world’s leading apparel companies...
of Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is a privately held American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. It was founded in 1853 when Levi Strauss came from Buttenheim, Franconia, to San Francisco, California to open a west coast branch of his brothers' New York dry goods business...
, building a new seating bowl within the existing walls.
The new facility retains the intimate atmosphere of its predecessor, while having almost two times the seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
at 11,877. In particular, there are no soundproofing devices. The arena contains The Bench, a courtside section that holds approximately 900 student fans. The amount of student seating doubled from the old arena, up to 2,600 from 1,300. It also holds the Pac-Ten Women's Basketball attendance record of 10,525 people, set during a game against rival Stanford University on February 23, 2008.
Construction for the new $57.5 million arena began after the final home game in March 1997 and was finished for the start of the 1999 season. During the construction, the basketball teams played at both the Kaiser Convention Center
Kaiser Convention Center
The Kaiser Convention Center is a 5,492-seat multi-purpose arena in Oakland, California that opened in 1914. In the 1950's and 1960's the Roller Derby played there hundreds of times. It was home to the Oakland Skates roller hockey team. Originally known as the Oakland Auditorium, it was renamed in...
and the Oakland Arena (now Oracle Arena) in Oakland.
The 2009 men's basketball game between Cal and arch rival Stanford
Stanford Cardinal men's basketball
The Stanford Cardinal Men's Basketball team represents Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference. The team has won 13 conference championships , the last in 2004, and one NCAA championship, in 1942...
on February 14 was part of a special celebration commemorating the 100th season of Golden Bear
California Golden Bears
The California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley...
basketball, as well as a recognition of the 50th anniversary of Cal's national title in 1959.
On February 28, 2009 ESPN's College Gameday
College GameDay (basketball)
College GameDay is an ESPN program that covers college basketball and is a spin-off of the successful college football version. Since debuting on January 22, 2005, it airs on ESPN Saturdays in the college basketball season at 11am ET and 8pm ET at a different game site each week...
made its first appearance in Berkeley broadcasting live from inside Haas Pavilion for the men's basketball game against the #18 UCLA Bruins
2008–09 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team
The 2008–09 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team opened the season on November 3 when it took on Cal Baptist in an exhibition game in Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins participated in the 2K Sports Classic, Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series, and the John R...
. Cal lost despite a large turnout.
On January 21, 2009 Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area's
CSN Bay Area
Comcast SportsNet Bay Area is a regional sports network that serves cable outlets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as other parts of Northern California, Central California, Southern Oregon, and Nevada.-History:...
Chronicle Live filmed their show inside Haas for the men's basketball game against Oregon
2009–10 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team
The 2009–10 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team represented the University of Oregon in the 2009–10 college basketball season. This was head coach Ernie Kent's 13th season at Oregon. The Ducks play their home games at McArthur Court and are members of the Pacific-10 Conference...
, which Cal would win. Chronicle Live Host Greg Papa also called the play-by-play for the game which was televised on Comcast Sportsnet California.
Retired jerseys
- Darrall ImhoffDarrall ImhoffDarrall Tucker Imhoff is an American former professional basketball player. He spent twelve seasons in the NBA , playing for half a dozen teams...
(1958-60) - Kevin JohnsonKevin JohnsonKevin Maurice Johnson is the current mayor of Sacramento, California. He is Sacramento's first African American mayor. Prior to entering politics, Johnson was a basketball player in the NBA, playing point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns...
(1984-87) - Alfred Grigsby (1992-97)
- Jason KiddJason KiddJason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
(1993-94)