When the University laid its cornerstone in 1924, nobody could have imagined Huff Hall would become one of the most enduring symbols of Illini pride. One hundred years later, it’s still standing strong — home to scholars, athletes, fans and generations of memories.
History
First opening as Men’s New Gymnasium, the building immediately became host to the Illinois men’s basketball team. The first event held at the gym was a 23-22 Illinois victory over Butler on Dec. 12, 1925. In 1937, the building was renamed after longtime athletic director George Huff died.
In addition to intercollegiate athletics, Huff Hall was also home to the College of Physical Education, later becoming the College of Applied Health Sciences. Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of AHS, said Huff Hall was used for graduations and dances, among other purposes.
In 1963, men’s basketball departed for Assembly Hall — now State Farm Center — and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics left for the Bielfeldt Athletics Administration Building.
AHS continued to occupy most of the space at Huff Hall, becoming an academic stalwart at Illinois. This includes the University’s world-class Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism.
“Huff Hall has been the home to groundbreaking work in Recreation, Sport and Tourism,” Hanley-Maxwell said. “The work that’s been done in sports psychology and physical activity, the work that’s done in public health — it’s all been housed here.”
Huff Hall welcomed Illinois volleyball to the fray in 1990, with its first game being a 3-0 win over Eastern Illinois on Sept. 2. In 2018, No. 3 Illinois took down No. 14 Marquette and No. 6 Wisconsin in its home quarters to make its fourth appearance in the Final Four of the NCAA Volleyball Championship tournament.
Nowadays, gymnastics and wrestling join volleyball in residing at Huff Hall.
What’s planned?
Steve Petruzzello, professor in AHS, said the University planned numerous events to celebrate Huff Hall’s 100th anniversary. The celebration begins Nov. 6, when the University will open Huff Hall’s original time capsule, unveiling items placed inside during the building’s opening year.
The following day, several people from AHS and the DIA will speak at Huff Hall, highlighting athletic achievements and academic milestones from the past century. Huff Hall will host an open house with tours on Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at 11 a.m.
Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 9, Illinois will play host to Penn State in the Huff Hall Centennial Celebration game at 3:30 p.m.
Significance of Huff Hall
For some student athletes, Huff Hall is home. One example is redshirt sophomore women’s volleyball player Auburn Tomkinson, who says the team puts in a ton of work during practices at Huff Hall on a daily basis.
“We practically live downstairs in the locker room and up here in the gym,” Tomkinson said. “Being part of this place, especially in the year it’s being honored, feels like a really big opportunity and an honor.”
The central location of the building near the Armory and Ikenberry Commons, also makes it a place for people to swing by, catch a game and have a good time. Huff Hall is packed with Illinois fans each time it competes at the venue, and the players feed off the energy from the stands.
“Our fans are always super into it,” said junior women’s volleyball player Kenna Phelan. “They’re so close to the court. It gets loud, it’s hot, and you can feel the pressure all the time.”
Changing a community
The centennial celebration of Huff Hall reflects on its history and heritage, lauding it as a symbol of unity between two wings of the University: academic and athletic. This series of events will help the University and its community celebrate the 100th anniversary of a beloved campus athletic and academic venue.
“This is probably one of the only buildings on campus that actually brings together the athletic side of the house with the academic side of the house,” Hanley-Maxwell said. “It shows that the University is one whole system, not two separate systems.”
