Haas Pavilion

Haas Pavilion. It is the primary indoor athletic venue for the University of California, Berkeley, serving as the home court for the men's basketball, women's basketball, and women's volleyball teams. The facility also hosts the men's and women's gymnastics teams and is a central hub for Cal Athletics. Originally constructed as the Men's Gymnasium, it was later renamed in honor of benefactors Walter A. Haas Jr. and his wife, Evelyn Haas.

History

The structure's origins trace back to the original Men's Gymnasium, which opened in 1933 and was designed by architect George W. Kelham. This building replaced the earlier Hearst Gymnasium as the primary campus gymnasium and served as a multi-purpose facility for decades. For many years, it was known as the Harmon Gymnasium, named after former Cal Bears football player Clayton B. Harmon. The venue witnessed numerous historic moments in Pacific Coast Conference and later Pacific-10 Conference athletics. A transformative gift from the Haas family, prominent supporters of the University of California system, facilitated a complete rebuild and expansion project in the late 1990s, leading to its renaming.

Facilities and features

The arena features a main competition bowl with an official seating capacity of 11,858 for basketball, creating an intimate and loud environment for NCAA Division I contests. The design incorporates the historic exterior walls of the original gymnasium, preserving the architectural legacy of the central Berkeley, California campus. Key facilities include the Golden Bear Center for student-athletes, dedicated locker rooms for the California Golden Bears, and the Pete Newell Club Room. The venue also houses the Hall of Fame for Cal Athletics, offices for coaching staffs, and extensive training areas. Its location is adjacent to other major athletic facilities like California Memorial Stadium and Edwards Stadium.

Notable events

The pavilion has been the site of many significant athletic and community events. It has hosted numerous NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament games, including first and second-round contests during the 2002 and 2013 tournaments. The arena has seen performances by notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., who spoke there in 1967, and concerts by artists like Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan. In athletics, it was the home court for legendary California Golden Bears men's basketball coach Pete Newell and his 1959 NCAA Championship team's early games. The venue also regularly hosts major Pac-12 Conference matchups and NCAA women's volleyball tournament matches.

Renovations and upgrades

The most significant transformation occurred with the **Haas Pavilion Project**, a $57.5 million renovation completed in 1999. This project, funded largely by donations from the Haas family and other benefactors, completely rebuilt the interior while preserving the historic Spanish Colonial Revival facade. The renovation added a second concourse, luxury suites, club seating, and dramatically improved amenities for fans and athletes. Subsequent upgrades have included the installation of a state-of-the-art Daktronics video scoreboard, advanced LED lighting systems, and continuous improvements to sound and broadcasting infrastructure to meet Pac-12 Network standards. These enhancements have maintained the venue's competitiveness within the Pac-12 Conference and for hosting NCAA Tournament events.

See also

* California Memorial Stadium * Pauley Pavilion * Maples Pavilion * Stanford Cardinal * Pac-12 Conference

Category:University of California, Berkeley Category:Basketball venues in California Category:Volleyball venues in the United States