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HOFHEINZ to FERTITTA: Construction of Hofheinz Pavilion
10/9/2018 2:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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As the University of Houston prepares to open the $60-million Fertitta Center on Dec. 1 against Oregon, Houston Athletics looks back at the history of Hofheinz Pavilion and looks ahead to the comforts of the Cougars' new home.
HOUSTON - A new era begins when the University of Houston Men's and Women's Basketball programs begin play inside the Fertitta Center during the 2018-19 season.
Hofheinz Pavilion served as the Cougars' home court from 1969 through the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. In 48 seasons, Houston Men's Basketball enjoyed a 537-168 record in the arena with more than 3.4 million fans coming through its doors to see the Cougars in action.
Hofheinz Pavilion officially opened on Dec. 1, 1969 as the 20th-ranked Cougars claimed an 89-72 win over Louisiana-Lafayette. It was the first of 30 consecutive home wins for Houston, which did not endure its first loss until a 98-97 setback to No. 17 Arizona State more than two years later on Dec. 10, 1971.
The Cougars reeled off a school-record 43 consecutive home wins from 1982 to 1985.
NAMED AFTER
• At a Sept. 16, 1969, meeting, University of Houston Regents accepted then-President Philip G. Hoffman's recommendation that the field house complex be named Hofheinz Pavilion in honor of Judge Roy M. Hofheinz and his late wife, Irene.
• Judge and Irene Hofheinz first met as students at the University of Houston in 1929.
• Hofheinz was a county judge and major of the city of Houston during his career but became known in sports as president of the Houston Sports Association, which owned the Astros and served as the lease holder of the Houston Astrodome.
• Judge Hofheinz was named UH's Alumnus of the Year in 1967.
• Hofheinz worked closely with Hall of Fame Head Coach Guy V. Lewis and Athletics Director Harry Fouke to bring No. 1 UCLA to the Houston Astrodome to face the Cougars on Jan. 20, 1968. With a crowd of 52,963 and a television audience of millions across the nation, the event became known as the Game of the Century and paved the way for March Madness, which college basketball fans have come to know and love.
ABOUT the ARENA
• Initial capacity was 10,060
• More than 100 light fixtures illuminated the playing court
• More than 225 speakers provided sound over the seating area
• Hofheinz Pavilion used a "Tartan" floor, a specially compounded synthetic designed to create a durable, non-slip surface.
• The arena also housed seven handball courts, ROTC offices and classrooms, rifle range, indoor baseball batting cage and pitching mound, numerous classrooms and the Athletics Ticket and Business Offices.
• Hofheinz Pavilion was also used regularly for large convocations, including commencement exercises, for student registration and a number of student-sponsored music and variety shows.
• Facility underwent renovations in 1998, creating 28 suites and reducing capacity to 8,479. Additional renovations were done in 1992 through a donation by John and Rebecca Moores.
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
All Events – 14,645 – The Tom Jones Show (August 1970) Basketball – 10,660, vs. Texas (March 5, 1990)
POSTSEASON EVENTS HOSTED
• 2008 CBI Quarterfinals
• 2006 NIT First Round
• 1988 NIT First Round
• 1983 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional
• 1980 SWC Postseason Classic First Round
• 1979 SWC Postseason Classic First Round
• 1978 SWC Postseason Classic First Round
• 1977 NIT
• 1971 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional
BUY SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets for all 2018-19 Houston Men's Basketball home games for as low as $175, a value of less than $9 per game.
University of Houston graduates from the previous five academic years qualify for special Young Alumni pricing in Section 117 for only $125.
Due to overwhelming response, fans are encouraged to buy their season tickets soon. To order, fans can call 713-462-6647 or visit uhcougars.com/tickets and follow the appropriate links.
To find the best seats inside the Fertitta Center, fans can check out a 3D map by visiting uhcougars.com/fertittacenter3d.
ABOUT THE FERTITTA CENTER
With a capacity of 7,100, the Fertitta Center will feature a premium club and courtside club as well as a reconfigured bowl with mid-court seating closer to game action. The facility also includes floor-level seating opposite the team benches for UH students.
The University will transform an area adjacent to the Fertitta Center into Hofheinz Pavilion, where fans will be greeted by a bronze statue of former Harris Country Judge Roy Hofheinz.
The renovation was made possible through a generous $20-million donation from University of Houston System Board of Regents Chairman Tillman J. Fertitta and his family in 2016.
JOIN the 50-50 CLUBFans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered team apparel, a signed basketball, invitations to practice, a tour of the $25-million Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, regular updates about the program and much more.
To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call 713-743-9742 or email UHMensBasketball@uh.edu. For more information about the 50-50 Club, levels of giving and benefits, click here.
STAY CONNECTEDFans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook and Instagram pages.