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Haas Pavilion

Arena in Berkeley, California

Arena in Berkeley, California

FieldValue
nameWalter A. Haas, Jr. Pavilion
nicknamePete Newell Court
imageFile:Haas Pavilion Exterior.jpg
image_size240
captionEast entrance in 2008
location14 Frank Schlessinger Way
Berkeley, California, U.S.
public_transitDowntown Berkeley
coordinates
pushpin_mapUSA California Oakland#USA California#USA
pushpin_reliefyes
pushpin_map_captionLocation in the Berkeley/Oakland area##Location in California##Location in the United States
pushpin_labelBerkeley
broke_groundNovember 1931
opened
renovated1997–1999
ownerUniversity of California, Berkeley
operatorUniversity of California, Berkeley
construction_cost$727,500 (original)
($ in )
$57.5 million (renovation)
($ in )
architectGeorge W. Kelham (Original)
Ellerbe Becket (Renovation)
general_contractorSchuler & McDonald
former_namesMen's Gym (1933–1959)
Harmon Gym (1959–1997)
tenantsCalifornia Golden Bears (NCAA) (1933–1997, 1999–present)
capacity11,858 (2015–present)
11,877 (2003–2015)
11,892 (2002–2003)
12,300 (1999–2002)
6,578 (1988–1997)
6,660 (1981–1988)
7,200 (1933–1981)

Berkeley, California, U.S.

($ in )

$57.5 million (renovation) ($ in )

Ellerbe Becket (Renovation) Harmon Gym (1959–1997) 11,877 (2003–2015) 11,892 (2002–2003) 12,300 (1999–2002) 6,578 (1988–1997) 6,660 (1981–1988) 7,200 (1933–1981)

Walter A. Haas, Jr. Pavilion is an indoor arena on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley. It is the home venue of the Golden Bears 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 sports complex, overlooking Evans Diamond (baseball) and Edwards Stadium (track/soccer).

History

The arena was originally opened in 1933 as the Gymnasium for Men or 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. When Lou Campanelli arrived in Berkeley in 1985, he tried to change Harmon's name to Harmon Arena, but it never caught on.

One change Campanelli made that stuck, however, was renaming the playing surface Pete Newell Court in 1987 in honor of head coach Pete Newell, who led Cal to the national championship in 1959. The floor had been known as simply "Room 100" since Harmon opened.

Renovation

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 11,858 (originally 12,300 and later 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 Pacific-10 Women's Basketball attendance record of 10,525 people, set during a game against rival Stanford University on February 23, 2008.

The renovation, which cost $57.5 million, 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 in Oakland.

Notable games

On December 22, 2018, the 14th ranked California Bears Women's basketball team faced the number 1 ranked University of Connecticut Huskies Women's basketball team. The Connecticut women's basketball team prevailed 76-66 at Haas Pavilion. The game set attendance records at Haas Pavilion with over 10,000 fans in attendance.

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.

Retired jerseys

  • 13 - Colleen Galloway (1978–80) Retired February 17, 1981

  • 11 - Kevin Johnson (1984–87) Retired October 22, 1992

  • 4 - Alfred Grigsby (1992–97) Retired March 8, 1997

  • 5 - Jason Kidd (1992–94) Retired February 14, 2004

  • 40 - Darrall Imhoff (1958–60) Retired February 14, 2009

  • 11 - Carli Lloyd (2007-10) Retired October 3, 2025

References

References

  1. "Harmon Gym". California Athletics.
  2. (November 7, 1931). "Open Bids for New Gymnasium at UC". Berkeley Daily Gazette.
  3. (July 13, 1933). "How to Play Taught in U.C. Summer Course". [[Oakland Tribune]].
  4. Sibley, Robert. (May 1933). "The New Gymnasium for Men, University of California, Berkeley".
  5. (April 14, 1949). "SC Star Aims for Rope Climb Record In US Gym Meet". [[Berkeley Daily Gazette]].
  6. (January 13, 2009). "Former Great Darrall Imhoff to Have No. 40 Jersey Retired". California Athletics.
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