Pauley Pavilion

Pauley Pavilion is a legendary indoor arena located on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. It is home to the UCLA Bruins men's and women's basketball teams. The men's and women's volleyball teams also play here.

History

Before the construction of the Pavilion, the on-campus home to the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team was the 2,000 seat Men's Gym, nicknamed the "B.O. Barn". Games were also played at the Pan Pacific Auditorium and other larger venues around Los Angeles.

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Bruin teams, coached by John Wooden won the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1964 and 1965. Fans and Coach Wooden felt that a suitable arena needed to be constructed. The arena was constructed so that there would be some space between the crowds and the action on the court. Coach Wooden cited the example of the close quarters of Harmon Gym (now Haas Pavilion) where fans would pull leg hairs from his players' legs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, was recruited to UCLA partly on the promise of playing in the new arena.

Related Topics:
John Wooden - NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - 1964 - 1965 - Haas Pavilion - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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The facility opened for the 1965–1966 college basketball season. A freshman team led by Big Lew Alcindor defeated the varsity team, which heralded great things to come.

Related Topics:
1965 - 1966

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Bruin men's basketball teams won 8 more NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships from 1967 through 1975 under Coach John Wooden.

Related Topics:
1967 - 1975 - John Wooden

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The first Pacific Ten Conference men's basketball tournament was played in Pauley Pavilion in the 1987 post-season.

Related Topics:
Pacific Ten Conference - 1987

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In the 1989–1990 season the building was celebrated in "25 years of Pauley". A book was released commemorating the great teams that played there as well as great moments in the history of the building.

Related Topics:
1989 - 1990

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In 1995 the Bruins won their eleventh NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, this time under coach Jim Harrick.

Related Topics:
1995 - Jim Harrick

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Former UCLA coach John Wooden and his late wife were honored on December 20, 2003 when the basketball floor at Pauley Pavilion was named "John and Nell Wooden Court." Since his retirement, Coach Wooden has been a fixture at UCLA Men's Basketball games.

Related Topics:
December 20 - 2003

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