Men's Basketball

Allen Fieldhouse at 50

Stories

Sanctity of original fieldhouse reinforced in 50th year

Like many Kansas basketball fans, athletics boosters, university officials and other followers of college basketball, Warren Corman said he wouldn't even consider replacing Allen Fieldhouse. "We kill everybody that asks about that," joked the architect for Kansas University, who helped draw up original plans for the building that turns 50 years old today. "We shoot them and bury them underneath the fieldhouse." Read on ...

Fifty most memorable moments

Here's a look at 50 of the most memorable sporting moments in Allen Fieldhouse's storied history, in no particular order, as chosen by the Journal-World staff.

1. Wilt Chamberlain scores 52 points in his college debut, an 87-69 victory over Northwestern on Dec. 3, 1956. Chamberlain converts 20 of 29 floor shots and 12 of 20 free throws. He also had 31 rebounds.

2. Bud Stallworth drops in 50 points, many from long-range, in a 93-80 victory over Missouri on Feb. 26, 1972. Stallworth's explosion is witnessed by KU's 1952 title team in town for a 20th reunion. Read on ...


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Our readers' top Allen Fieldhouse memories

We came up with our own list of the top moments in Allen Fieldhouse history, but we know we're not smart enough to have remembered everything - no matter how much we kid ourselves. So, we gave our readers the opportunity to share their favorite memories from the first 50 years of the hallowed venue. Below are all the responses we received. Read through and savor in the greatness that is Allen Fieldhouse, and be sure to check back in another 50 years for the top moments of the first 100 years of Allen Fieldhouse. Read the memories.

6Sports' top 5 Allen Fieldhouse moments

1. 'The Stilt' comes in as Fieldhouse's No. 1

Simply put, Wilt Chamberlain was the best player KU's ever had, and his debut in December 1956 changed everything. His arrival on the Kansas basketball court against Northwestern is the No. 1 moment in Allen Fieldhouse history. Watch clip ...


2. Stallworth's thrashing of Missouri ranks among fieldhouse highlights

In 1972, Bud Stallworth was a sharpshooting guard and part-time trumpet player, the shining light of a KU team that had played out of tune all season. But on Feb. 26, No. 14 Missouri came to town and Stallworth stunned them with a 50-point performance, which ranks as the No. 2 moment in Allen Fieldhouse history. Watch clip ...


3. KU's 150-95 romp over Kentucky one of Allen Fieldhouse's greatest moments

All-time moment number 3 in the countdown to 50 years in the Field House: On December 9, 1989, Rick Pitino and the Kentucky Wildcats were run out of the gym. The Jayhawks won a fast-paced game, 150-95. Watch clip ...


4. Wilt Chamberlain makes fieldhouse history

In Friday's segment of "Tales from the Phog," Wilt Chamberlain's return to the Phog in 1998 after a 39-year absence is the fourth best moment in Allen Fieldhouse history. Watch clip ...


5. Opening night ranks five in fieldhouse history

Over the next five days, 6Sports will count down the top five moments in Allen Fieldhouse's history. The number five moment is the opening night of the fieldhouse fifty years ago. Watch clip ...


From the Journal-World archives

Big 'first nighter' crowd at fieldhouse sees great show

Wednesday, March 2, 1955

With Kansas University leading Kansas State, 44-33, at halftime last night in the magnificent new fieldhouse, "The Story of Basketball," a 35-minute halftime pageant honoring Dr. Forrest C. (Phog) Allen started off with a happy and anxious audience. Read on ...

Capistrano has nothing on KU

Tuesday, March 8, 1955

It all started over a cup of coffee. Several local fans were discussing with a Kansas University official the location of their seats for the March 1 Kansas-Kansas State basketball game Ñ the night of the dedication of Allen Fieldhouse. Read on ...

In the Rafters

Only the greatest Jayhawks get their jerseys retired and hung in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse. Of course, with Kansas University's great history of both men's and women's basketball, there are quite a few jerseys already adorning the upper level of the historic venue, with even more to come.


Phog Allen bio and coaching record

Phog AllenCoached from 1907-09 and again from 1920-56. A student at KU, Phog Allen was coached by the game's inventor. Allen took the game that Naismith invented and turned it into what we recognize today, and is the icon most closely associated with Kansas Basketball history. Read on ...

Beware of the Phog: historical Phog Allen video

Host Steve Jansen and guest Blair Kerkoff recount the history of Forrest Clare "Phog" Allen and his impact on the game of basketball for the Sunflower Cable show As Time Goes By. See videos ...

Phog Allen Letters

Basketball immortal Phog Allen was noted for his rhetoric, both verbal and written, and he often wrote to friends and athletes on a wide variety of subjects. During World War II, for instance, Allen regularly wrote a "team letter" to ex-Jayhawks in military and naval service. Many treasured the inspirational communications and wish they had saved them, considering how legendary their coach became. To date, none of Phog's war letters have surfaced, but the search goes on. Read on ...

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Multimedia

50 years of the Fieldhouse photo gallery:

Photo gallery

video:


Audio


Screensaver

Fieldhouse at 50

Half a century of Jayhawk history in Allen Fieldhouse photos.

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Mac OS X

Wallpaper

Wilt's first game

Wilt's first game

Fans in the Phog

You're never far from the Phog -- at least in front of your computer -- with this photo by the Journal-World's Scott McClurg as your wallpaper.

Fans in the phog

Virtual Allen Fieldhouse

Wondering what the view is like from different sections at the Fieldhouse? Well, take a look with our virtual Allen Fieldhouse and while your there don't miss the 360 degree court view. Go!

Buy your Allen Fieldhouse at 50 special newspaper

Get a copy of the Lawrence Journal-World's 16-page special edition of Allen Fieldhouse information and memories. The content includes: A complete history of the fieldhouse. Top 50 moments in the Fieldhouse (as voted by our readers), timeline of memorable milestones, lots of lists like Top 5 plays, Top 10 games and Top 10 non-basketball events. Tons of photos, new and old. Get your copy ...