university of illinois assembly hall

Had tkts last season in C section because that was what was affordable and available, seats were ok. New season section C again, but new seats are horribly uncomfortable. If these seats are what will be in all over, we won't be back in any section!

I was a student at the University of Illinois when the site of the new Assembly Hall was a big hole in the ground across the street from Memorial Stadium. In 1963, as a sportswriter for the Champaign-Urbana Courier, I witnessed the first basketball game played in what was being described as an architectural masterpiece. It still is. When it opened, it was the largest edge-supported concrete dome in the country. The concrete dome, weighing 10 million pounds, stands 128 feet above the floor. But it is more than 50 years old and, like most middle-aged people, needs a facelift. In this case, the university is raising $165 million for a major renovation, as it did a few years ago for 90-year-old Memorial Stadium. For openers, State Farm Insurance Company paid $60 million for the right to put its corporate name on the building for 60 years. Architecturally, it remains unlike any other basketball venue in the country. But it will, as one university official noted, "be brought in tune with the times." Translated, that means installing air conditioning, premium seating and state-of-the-art player locker rooms. That's not all. Access is being renovated to allow for major concert artists and musicians and Broadway companies to perform in the arena. Concession stands will be remodeled. To accommodate the changes, crowd capacity will be reduced from 17,000 to 16,000, still higher than most indoor facilities. The three-year, six-phase project also will replace C-section seats, modernize ramps and plazas, expand the glass curtain windows, provide reseating in A and B sections, install more restrooms and concession stands at all levels and construct four clubs--Legacy, Courtside, Traditions and Orange Krush. Loge seats (countertop, dining service, TV monitors) will be at the north baseline behind the students. Twelve suites (each accommodating up to 14 guests) will be located on the east side. Even old-timers like me will have to admit that, when the project is completed, the Grand Old Lady will be more fan-friendly, more vibrant, more sporting and more high-stepping than she was in 1963. Thank goodness the university's board of trustees decided to renovate her rather than replace her with a conventional cookie-cutter arena. She still has a lot of life left in her.

A great place to see a basketball game. Every seat has a great view. Over the past 10 years the Illini have had some good, and not so good, teams; they even made it to the NCAA Finals 10 years ago. With the UIUC students in the building, the atmosphere is unmatched!!

We try to go here least what's a season to watch Illinois basketball. Although I realized the assembly hall needed some remodel I'm still not happy with the name change. You'll always be the assembly hall to us.

Everyone had to pick up their packets, and went to the Expo here. We also had dinner there. Parking sucks, but we were able to find a spot not too far away.

WOrked there for 7 years. lots of old but the renovations are going to address a lot of concerns for comfort and special requests. More bathrooms to come upstairs even. But renovations are just getting started so will probably be 3 years for full completion. Love this building!!

I have been to basketball games, clinics, camps, concerts, craft shows here over the past 30 years. I went on my first tour of the facility. I highly recommend this tour. Learn the history, construction. See behind the scenes rooms. Well worth it, the tour was entertaining and informative and enjoyed by both the adults and children.

We've been to several venues at this facility. If you plan on attending a show or concert, make sure you get floor seating. The stadium-type seating is narrow with virtually no leg room. It works okay for sports events (basketball). When I sit upright in a stadium seat, there is not enough room for my legs unless I move them to one side. This gets extremely uncomfortable after an hour of so.

March 2, 2013---50 years to the date that the doors opened for the first time. Still the same wonderful building I remember as a freshman 45 years ago. Of course, it always helps to see an Illini victory. A great way for us to spend our 40th wedding anniversary! People who say this building is obsolete and needs to be replaced are nuts---they must be the same folks who want to tear down Wrigley!

Assembly Hall is a fun and clean arena that has a good view from most of the seats, and is fairly easy to navigate.I attended a men’s basketball game, and right off the bat I was wishing the arena opened earlier than an hour before game time. I arrived early and parked about a block away, and ending up sitting in my car for 20 minutes until the arena opened so I wouldn’t have to stand outside in the cold. I’ve seen professional sports stadiums that open an hour and half before the game starts, and I think that would be appropriate for this venue. I got in the door in no time though, although I had to wait a little bit because the ticket taker’s scanning machine wasn’t working well. The atmosphere for basketball games is great. The student section for basketball games, called the “Orange Crush”, was enthusiastic and entertaining in their own right. The men’s basketball team generally draws large crowds, and my visit was no exception. I didn’t like the halftime entertainment, but the University band that played throughout pauses in the game was great.The view of the court was good, even though me & my family were pretty high up in the upper deck. The seats are a little weird though, with funky-shaped arm rests, and a non-standard backrest that’s a lot lower than a normal seat. Also, it felt like the seats are a little narrower than ones at more modern sports stadiums.The arena may be 50 years old, but when I arrived prior to the start of the game, the interior concourse and seating area was spotlessly clean. Signs of wear, decay, or disrepair were non-existent. It was also neat seeing all of the banners displayed from the roof. Other nice aspects of Assembly Hall include its modern scoreboard, display, and sound system, which is comparable to other arenas of its size.Exiting the arena after the game ended wasn’t much of a hassle, as I waited around a bit until leaving the seating area. If you park anywhere within a three block radius of Assembly Hall though, expect to wait in traffic for awhile after the game ends.For the right event and the right ticket price, I’d be up for visiting Assembly Hall again.

From the outside it looks like the mothership from Close Encounters--considered quite "modern" in the 1970s. Inside, it has been home to many strong teams and is known for the Orange Crush cheering section. As an alum and Illini fan, I love it, but it should be on the list of must-see older arenas for college hoop afficienados. It stands for an era. No sky boxes for well-heeled alums here, just a great hoops atmosphere.

You can't miss this building! It is a little bit off Green St. (the main road) but its worth going. Just check if there is a concert or a basketball match and go for it !

For shows, this place is rather on the small side. Usually seats are dirty, trash still on the floor. I will try to avoid this place and go up north instead.

We attended the circus here - good seating and great environment, easy parking. Ushers were friendly and helpful in getting people to their seats. Food was typical stadium fare, we just got some popcorn.

This is a great place to watch basketball. I have gone there for plays and concerts and well unless your close keep your money. I saw Rent there and bought tickets away and it was terrible. But Basketball is another thing great atmoshere, tey it at least once.