Indiana ushered in a new era of basketball for players, coaches and fans Friday afternoon with the dedication of newly-renovated Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The renovation was made possible by a $40-million gift from Cindy Simon Skjodt and her family, the largest philanthropic gift in athletics department history.
"This beloved building, which has been home to three national men's basketball championships, and where millions have enjoyed so many unofrgettable experiences, has been transformed in a way that both respects its storied history and ensure that the next generation of Hoosier fans will be able to grow their own memories in a safe, comfortable, exciting and enjoyable environment," IU president Michael A. McRobbie said.
IU Athletics Director Fred Glass said that from the beginning, the goal of the project was to "preserve the best home-court advantage in college basketball."
"Thanks to the tremendous efforts of so many, the renovation has maintained the unique and special character of this iconic building while adding to it new amenities and modern technology to substantially improve the fan and player experience," Glass said.
Renovations included a new south lobby with escalators, the Ken Nunn Champions Plaza, a new scoreboard with HD quality video screens, improved and added restrooms and more.
The renovation also added a new Henke Spirit of '76 Club, a special, 83-seat hospitality experience honoring the 1976 national champion Indiana Hoosiers.
Simon Skjodt was thanked by McRobbie, Glass, former IU guard Quinn Buckner, women's basketball head coach Teri Moren, men's basketball head coach Tom Crean, women's basketball junior guard Tyra Buss and junior men's basketball guard Robert Johnson.
Moren felt the impact of the renovations while hosting recent recruits on visits.
"I cannot begin to explain what a thrill it is for my staff and I to walk down that candy-striped hallway and into Assembly Hall," Moren said. "The faces, the looks on those prospects' faces, the faces on those parents are priceless, particularly to those fathers that have watched so many games on television.
"To watch them in awe of this place, just to be on the floor of Assembly Hall, is something that is truly an experience for me."
Crean, who praised the work ethic of the Skjodt family, said the work done by construction workers over the last 18 months inspired his players. He also lauded the impact the investment will have for years to come.
"This building will take a backseat to nobody's building, not only in this country, but in this world, in college sports," Crean said.
Buss said she shouldn't put into words how "amazing" the new facility looked.
"The experience of watching and playing a game here will be unlike anything else," Buss said.
For Johnson, it was the newly renovated south lobby entrance and atrium which impressed him the most.
"Walking up to the building," Johnson said, "I feel as if I'm going into an NBA arena."
Tours of the newly-renovated facility will begin on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Public tours will also be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 17. No reservations are necessary, fans just need to enter through the doors of the South Lobby.
In his closing remarks, McRobbie turned and thanked the Skjodt family for their support and the lasting impact their gift will have on both programs.
"Your generosity will touch the lives of countless student-athletes, coaches, alumni and friends of IU," McRobbie said, "and it will help IU's men's and women's basketball programs to continue to thrive and excel for many more decades to come."
Out of all the thanks, Buckner may have said it best.
"Ladies and gentleman, you've got to enjoy this," he said.
"This is seriously sweet."
