The old Iowa Field House: “The most massive building of its kind in the world.”
- Thread starter Franisdaman
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While a student at UI from 77-80, I worked maintenance for the athletic dept. Part of our job was to tear down the south end zone bleachers immediately following the last home game and slowly transporting them across the street to the fieldhouse, where we re-assembled them behind the west end basket. Worked every men's and women's basketball game during that period, as well as wrestling. My memories are thick with special moments featuring Ronnie Lester and Dan Gable. With an all access pass to go anywhere during events, I would often sit behind the visitors bench for basketball. The 78-79 season game when Magic Johnson and MSU came to town was one of those games. Thought Jud Heathcote was a complete maniac and thought Magic was a horse's ass with his trash talk. Knew every nook and cranny of that building and cherish those memories. Saw most every concert during that era, including Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Zappa and many others. It broke my heart when the last game was played there against USC, featuring future Hawkeye Gerry Wright. The noise that place generated was unlike anything I've experienced since. The band and student section were raucous and a big part of game.
You would walk in the concourse and get hit with a MASSIVE wall of cigarette smoke. (You could smoke in the concourse). You would then walk up a flight of stairs to get to the main area. It was crazy.
This is my thought. Different local, steep pitches, smaller arena by a couple grand. Perfect
The Doobie Brothers almost burned the place down. April 28th, 1977
Special effects pot set a portion of the overhanging black curtain on fire (stage left about midway back). It was very high up and most people didn't even know what was going on. The band left the stage, all except Skunk Baxter...he played an extended solo as guys went up on a lift behind him and used fire extinguishers to put it out. The resulting smoke/dust etc just seemed like part of the show. Most people didn't even know what had happened... but it could have been a real disaster.
Special effects pot set a portion of the overhanging black curtain on fire (stage left about midway back). It was very high up and most people didn't even know what was going on. The band left the stage, all except Skunk Baxter...he played an extended solo as guys went up on a lift behind him and used fire extinguishers to put it out. The resulting smoke/dust etc just seemed like part of the show. Most people didn't even know what had happened... but it could have been a real disaster.
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The loudest game I ever attended in the Field House.
Fond memories of that place. It was unique.
Store a basketball before the game so you could play pickup at half. Just wait for the buzzer and head to your seat.
Was more than fortunate to also go in the Letterman's Lounge before basketball games and wrestling meets. Having a doughnut and juice and hey, there is Dan Gable. Or Chris Campbell. Never knew who was going to be there. As a kid, it was a moment to meet people who were idols to me.
Loved that old place.
My grandpa had a job with the U that got us front row seats there. I have a lot of memories. The stomping was one. I vividly remember people heckling Jim Dutcher and Jud Heathcote and I mean in not nice terms. My first basketball memories were Bruce "Sky" King and Scott Thompson stroking them from the corner. Like I said before. the most memorable game of my time was the triple overtime loss to Minnesota on a phantom call on a halfcourt shot. It was crushing for a 15 year old at the time.
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My kids used to practice swimming in the field house. On occasion I'd Wander over to where the badminton courts were. There were a number of historical photos there including a photo of an indoor football game in the fieldhouse. Anyone else see this?
Great memories of the old Fieldhouse in the late 70s when I was in elementary school. My dad worked for UI security and worked the games...my mom and I had season tickets. The security crew used the equipment checkout room as their home base for games so I'd go in there, grab a basketball and shoot baskets in the north gym until the game started. After the games, I'd hangout by the locker room door to get autographs as the players came out...got them to sign a game program or one of the old megaphone popcorn containers. In '78 or '79, they won a game that got them a tie for the BT title. I was outside the locker room as usual when one of the assistant coaches came out, looked around, and asked me if I wanted to come inside and meet the team. Obviously I jumped at the chance and went into the locker room, met the players and got autographs. It was amazing for this 11-year old kid.
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anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
Guest
Great stuff, people. I, too, was there to welcome the basketball team back after earning a trip to the Final Four and the wrestling team for winning its annual national title. And I also stayed in a tent with my brothers in line for Final Four tickets. That was a fiasco worthy of the U of I. I once asked them why they had no clue of how to handle the ticket sales, and they said they had no experience with it. I said then why didn't you call the schools that do have experience. No response. And Iowa was a laughingstock for being the only Final Four team to not bring its band. The kazoos were beyond embarrassing. The Purdue band actually played the Iowa Fight Song for us during our semifinal game vs. Louisville. Another typical Iowa fiasco.
Anyway, the Field House was awesome for basketball. I used to play pick-up games there until 4 p.m. on game nights. Then they'd tell everybody to leave the court, sweep it, pull out the bottom bleachers, and suddenly you had a great Big Ten basketball venue. But it was awesome to have played on the very same court literally hours before John Johnson, Freddie Brown, The Stick, and the rest of the Hawkeyes took over.
Also, the west end armory section, which had a dirt floor until the early 70s, is where ROTC marching drills were held, and the baseball team also practiced there. They took infield and had batting cages installed.
Upstairs were some ROTC classrooms and a rifle range.
One of the concerts I attended at the Field House featured The Fifth Dimension. That would have been in 1968 or 69 I believe. The Field House, beams and all, was fantastic.
Anyway, the Field House was awesome for basketball. I used to play pick-up games there until 4 p.m. on game nights. Then they'd tell everybody to leave the court, sweep it, pull out the bottom bleachers, and suddenly you had a great Big Ten basketball venue. But it was awesome to have played on the very same court literally hours before John Johnson, Freddie Brown, The Stick, and the rest of the Hawkeyes took over.
Also, the west end armory section, which had a dirt floor until the early 70s, is where ROTC marching drills were held, and the baseball team also practiced there. They took infield and had batting cages installed.
Upstairs were some ROTC classrooms and a rifle range.
One of the concerts I attended at the Field House featured The Fifth Dimension. That would have been in 1968 or 69 I believe. The Field House, beams and all, was fantastic.
Awesome reading these memories of the Fieldhouse. Thanks for sharing. I have several of my own. My sister played basketball at Iowa so got the run of the place as a kid. Got to hang in the training room right off the court. Ronnie Lester. William Mayfield. Vince Brookins. And more. Met Mike Boddicker because he was dating a basketball player at the time. I spent a couple of summers at Lute's camp and was the focus of envy as all the guys recognized me and called me by name. My sister blew out her ankle once so we stuck around after the game. After leaving the hospital we took her back to her room in Quad. There was an Iowa v ISU wrestling meet that night so I walked over, snuck in, and basked in everything the FH was. My own freshman and sophomore years at Iowa were filled with great memories as well. Waited for Bobby Knight after a game. He was rude, crude and offensive all while being engaged with us. Passed out of my swimming class by jumping off the high dive on the 2nd day of class. Pick up games on the main court with the football team. Pat Dean. Loren Gerleman. Dave Moritz. Dave Browne. Norm Granger. Man those were some competitive games.
I can vouch for that. All these memories make me jealous. I only got to a game or two before the place closed my freshman year.
Building is still there, but I don't give it more than 10 years. The Hospital will need the space. 800 beds and 99+ % full.
A cool pic from the article.
An enthusiastic overflow crowd was on hand to greet the Iowa men’s basketball and wrestling teams in 1980. The basketball team had defeated Georgetown University earlier in the day in Philadelphia and the wrestling team had won the NCAA title. The crowd waited until after midnight to cheer their returning heroes. (The Gazette)
I was there that night and can be seen in that photo. I would also add that the rally was primarily for the basketball team - many, including myself, didn't even know the wrestler had won a national title until the team arrived.
The grapplers were clearly stunned at the size of the crowd, who even though they were there to celebrate the basketball victory quickly embraced the wrestlers as well...it seemed like everything was about Iowa sports that night.
Saw Miller's six pack many times which I believe to be the best Iowa team ever. Loudest was senior night cheering for Downtown Brown.
My freshman tix were the last year, in the balcony, front row, no obstruction - was great, for just a couple games then moved to CHA
They've recently renovated the south gym and planning to tear out the pool for additional cardio/workout space. Upwards of $10M project. Better be more than 10 years before hospital takes over!
Under the home team basket, front row. The funny thing was that my Dad and the people next to us knew the officials on a first name basis. If there was ever a iffy call, they would have a discussion as the stripes set up camp.
I also remember walking by Greg Drieling when he was visiting. He was the largest human being I had seen in my life.
Sorry. I can go on and on.
I was wondering what would happen to the pool now that they built that new one in the palatial rec center and move the swim teams out to their own facility.
Does anyone know if the Halsey Gym pool is still there? Or is it gone too?
Well, the FieldHouse might be spared for a few more years as the Campus Architect had a contest for a second tower next to Kinnick, as shown here which likely means the water tower might have to go. https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2015/10/20/hospital-design . However, the FieldHouse is like 15 feet away from parts of the Hospital now, just across an alley. And the hospital will likely need to expand soon.
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anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
Guest
Others may have mentioned it, but I forgot to, and that is that registration for U of I classes was held in the Field House until at least the 1970s. What a zoo that was, and it was seriously intimidating for a freshman.
Yep. 1970 registration was in the Fieldhouse.
Lot's of memories, parents had seats in the wooden bleachers, Dad knew the officials by name as well. 'How about a hamburger Bobby?' Beach Boys concert, selling soda during games, watching the 2nd half, going into the locker room and getting autographs when Lute was there, Archie Mays asking me 'Do you know who that guy is?' I had no clue but now have an autograph of Edwin Moses. Some Stoops guy signed my megaphone. Playing pickup games in high school when they decided to enforce the 'need a parent rule', shouting 'Hey Dad' and hoping some old guy would wave, figuring out how to get the practice hoops in the concourse the right height so we could dunk, pick up games where we got to the main court and I got to guard Owen Gill, Dave Brown, Devon Mitchell, etc. Great memories, csb.
Yes, those photos were there when I was a student. The football one had a note about it being the first indoor football game played on a 100 yard field. I can’t remember if that was first anywhere or just the first west of the Mississippi.
My college roomie was a journalism major. He was able to land an interview w Father Bob for one of his projects. A couple of us tagged along...Father Bob was very cool about it. Sweet guy with some great stories.
When I tell people about the photo they simply will not believe me. Plus it doesn't exist on the internet. If anyone is in the field house please take a picture that photo and post it!
Yeah he was really good. I just remember his voice before the start of games (many, many moons ago) as he introduced the matchups and starting lineups. He was an icon with The Hawkeyes.
I was lucky enough to serve on CUE my last 2 years at Iowa. What a blast. Some of the most memorable shows were Jethro Tull, Beach Boys, Linda Rondstat and Zappa. We also put on Jimmy Cliff at the IMU ball room. Most of us on the Commission were huge Reggae fans.
I am not sure which concert it was, but the Dean of Student Affairs called us in and informed us that smoking would no longer be allowed for Field House concerts. Needless to say we protested and said "No Way, that won't happen" They wouldn't back down. We put on a campaign to inform concert goers of the new rule. Somehow most people went along and smoking was substantially reduced. The Dean was pleased with our efforts and the concerts continued with less and less smoking going on.
We were also responsible for tear down and clean up after the shows. You won't believe the amount of drugs and contraband we were mandated to properly dispose.
The other great perk was we collaborated with HEP who ran Hancher shows and always got comped. 5th row middle for Bruce on his Born To Run tour. Another memory was the Jerry Jeff Walker show . The show was scheduled for 8 pm. No Jerry Jeff. 9 pm... 10 pm. Rowdy crowd was getting restless and more and more drunk. Lots of whiskey drinkers. Finally, he and his band show up at 10:30, they had gone to Ames. He too was drunk and still killed it.
I am not sure which concert it was, but the Dean of Student Affairs called us in and informed us that smoking would no longer be allowed for Field House concerts. Needless to say we protested and said "No Way, that won't happen" They wouldn't back down. We put on a campaign to inform concert goers of the new rule. Somehow most people went along and smoking was substantially reduced. The Dean was pleased with our efforts and the concerts continued with less and less smoking going on.
We were also responsible for tear down and clean up after the shows. You won't believe the amount of drugs and contraband we were mandated to properly dispose.
The other great perk was we collaborated with HEP who ran Hancher shows and always got comped. 5th row middle for Bruce on his Born To Run tour. Another memory was the Jerry Jeff Walker show . The show was scheduled for 8 pm. No Jerry Jeff. 9 pm... 10 pm. Rowdy crowd was getting restless and more and more drunk. Lots of whiskey drinkers. Finally, he and his band show up at 10:30, they had gone to Ames. He too was drunk and still killed it.
I got to see all their games too as a kid. Great memories. I believe they were the best Iowa team ever as well. Heartbreaking loss to Jacksonville in the tourney though.
I still play pick-up hoops in the old Fieldhouse, most of the time it's in the new wing with the 6 courts but every once in awhile I'll shoot on the old floor. Like to look up and think about all the legends who played in the same building.
I live out-of-state now, but went to the Iowa vs Nebby hoops game in Iowa City in early January. My wife and I had some time to kill before the game so we went into the old Fieldhouse. People working there were kind enough to let us look around, also since students were not around probably easier to get into the building. Anyway, I had never been in there before, but as a kid recall watching games played there on TV. It's a very cool (almost regal) building. Too bad Iowa still doesn't play in a building like that. BTW - for someone who asked earlier in this thread, yes, the pool is still there and it is enormous.
Never forget that night. Waited a long time but it was worth it. The entire campus erupted that day when Waite made the shot of his life.A cool pic from the article.
An enthusiastic overflow crowd was on hand to greet the Iowa men’s basketball and wrestling teams in 1980. The basketball team had defeated Georgetown University earlier in the day in Philadelphia and the wrestling team had won the NCAA title. The crowd waited until after midnight to cheer their returning heroes. (The Gazette)
This. My dad was there that night. People were blown away by this new band from England. He and his friends only went because they liked the Yardbirds and Jimmy Page. Plant, Bonham and Jones were complete strangers to the world. That would have been amazing to see!
It was epic. Perhaps the best line of the night was delivered by Lute. By the time the team arrived it was around 12:30-12:45 (Sunday night/Monday morning). Once the team made their way through the crowd and things calmed down enough (which took awhile), he took the mic and said, "Don't you people have class tomorrow?!". The place erupted.
FYI, the wrestlers wrapped up the National title that weekend as well, so it was a double dip. They rolled in earlier. What a night. There's not been anything like it since, nor do I think there every will be.
To this day, I think that's the loudest I've ever heard a crowd in a sports venue of any type.
I was at the Allmans (don't recall date) and it was painful.
Not the music, sitting the whole ordeal in the metal bleachers.
They'd launch into one of their 20 minute songs and my back would be crying the whole way through (someone in their early twenties, mind you).
No amount of medication helped either.
