The History of UCLA Basketball and Pauley Pavilion

Pauley Pavilion stands as a historic venue, intrinsically linked to the esteemed athletic tradition of UCLA. However, before this iconic arena, the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team called the Men's Gym home. This article explores the transition from the Men's Gym to Pauley Pavilion, the arena's construction, its significant moments, renovations, and its lasting legacy.

From "B. O. Barn" to a State-of-the-Art Arena

Prior to the construction of Pauley Pavilion, the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team played their home games in the 2,400-seat Men's Gym, a multi-purpose building that opened in 1932, now known as the Student Activities Center. The Men's Gym was often disparagingly referred to as the "B. O. barn." The limited capacity of the Men's Gym, further restricted to 1,500 by the Los Angeles fire marshal in 1955, prompted the Bruins to play games at various venues around Los Angeles, including the Pan-Pacific Auditorium and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

The Genesis of Pauley Pavilion

The catalyst for a new arena came after John Wooden led the Bruins to the national championship in 1964. Recognizing the need for a more suitable venue, plans for Pauley Pavilion began to materialize. However, the necessity for a new arena had been apparent even before the 1964 championship.

Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion officially opened on June 11, 1965. Named after University of California Regent Edwin W. Pauley, who significantly contributed to its construction, the arena cost $5 million. Pauley donated almost one fifth of the more than $5 million spent in constructing the arena.

Design and Features of the Original Pauley Pavilion

Designed by architect Welton Becket, Pauley Pavilion was constructed with the intention of creating space between the crowds and the action on the court. Coach John Wooden emphasized this, recalling the cramped conditions of Cal's Harmon Gym (now Haas Pavilion) where fans were so close they would "pull leg hairs from his players' legs."

The original Pauley Pavilion had a seating capacity of 12,829. It featured 11,307 permanent theater-style upholstered seats and 2,492 retractable seats. When the floor seats are retracted, the space accommodates three full-sized basketball courts, used for team practice, intramural games, and pickup basketball.

Early Years and Memorable Moments

The first game ever played in Pauley Pavilion took place on November 27, 1965. It featured Lew Alcindor, leading the freshmen team, against the UCLA varsity squad. Ohio State was the first visiting team in the regular season. In the arena's early years, the Bruins dominated on their home court, winning 150 games and losing only three between 1965 and 1975. Their longest winning streak at Pauley Pavilion was an impressive 98 games.

John Wooden coached his final game as varsity head coach in Pauley Pavilion on March 1, 1975, a victory over Stanford. He announced his retirement four weeks later, after the NCAA semi-final victory against Louisville and before his 10th National championship victory against Kentucky.

Pauley Pavilion hosted its first NCAA Regional Finals in the 1969 post-season and the 1978 AIAW Women's Basketball Championship Final Four.

Significant Events Hosted at Pauley Pavilion

Over the years, Pauley Pavilion has hosted a wide array of events beyond basketball games. These include:

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The 1984 Olympic Gymnastics competition.
The 1987 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship.
The 1988 Presidential Debate between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis.
The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
The 2001 Jeopardy! College Championship.
A Barack Obama presidential campaign rally in 2008.
Jay-Z concert with Rihanna, in 2009.

Renovations and Modernization

As Pauley Pavilion aged, the need for modernization became apparent. Plans for a major renovation began to take shape around the arena's 40th birthday. The university unveiled the Pauley Pavilion renovation plans to the public and kicked off the fund-raising campaign on May 11, 2009. The groundbreaking ceremony was held a year later on May 11, 2010. The total renovation cost was approximately $136 million.

The Bruins reopened the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion on November 9, 2012, in front of a record crowd of 13,513.

Key Features of the Renovated Pauley Pavilion

The renovation project brought numerous upgrades and improvements to the arena, including:

Seating upgrades, increasing the capacity to 13,800.
A bright and spacious concourse featuring the Championship Wall and "Wooden Way."
A new glass front entrance on the north side.
Improved concessions, including California Pizza Kitchen, Subway, Jamba Juice, and a Joe Brewin coffeehouse.
Increased number of restrooms, particularly for women.
Improved accessibility with more elevators and spaces for patrons with wheelchairs.
A state-of-the-art video scoreboard and LED ribbon circling the arena seats.
An "all-off, all-on" lighting system for special production effects.
New locker rooms, a weight room, and a student lounge for student-athletes.

Legacy and Continued Use

Pauley Pavilion continues to be a central hub for UCLA athletics and campus events. It remains the home of the UCLA Bruins men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the men's and women's volleyball and women's gymnastics teams. The arena also hosts student welcoming ceremonies, commencement ceremonies, intramural sports, and a variety of other events.

In 2003, the floor in Pauley Pavilion was dedicated "Nell and John Wooden Court" after the legendary basketball coach and his late wife. An eight-foot high bronze statue of Coach John Wooden by sculptor Blair Buswell was dedicated at the newly renovated arena on October 26, 2012.

Banners and Retired Numbers

The only championship banners currently displayed within the building are for national or NCAA Championships. The retired numbers of UCLA men's and women's basketball players are displayed in the rafters of Pauley Pavilion. On February 3, 1990, the first four UCLA basketball player jersey numbers were retired. This was the key moment in the "Pauley at 25" celebration of the first 25 years of the arena.

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