'The House of Horrors'
In the days before Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks played in less-than-ideal conditions.
By Whitney Hamilton (Contact)
Friday, February 15th, 2008
For 53 years, Allen Fieldhouse has stood at the corner of Naismith Drive. Inside the walls of the massive building lies tradition.
To be more specific, four national championships, fifty conference championships and some of the best Kansas players to ever step foot on James Naismith court.
It’s hard to imagine life without Allen Fieldhouse. But there was a time when the men’s basketball team played elsewhere.
Workers continue construction of Allen Fieldhouse, which was completed in 1955.
Before 1927, the team played in the basement of Snow Hall and Robinson Gymnasium during James Naismith’s era. But from 1927 to 1955, the Jayhawks played in Hoch Auditorium.
Hoch Auditorium fit only 3,500 people into its tight quarters. The small capacity and awkward basketball court of the auditorium led to the development of Allen Fieldhouse, where the men’s and women’s basketball teams now play.
During the years that Kansas basketball played in Hoch Auditorium, it developed nicknames such as “The House of Horrors” or “Horrible Hoch.”
Because Hoch was considered a performing arts center, the court didn’t leave much room for an out-of-bounds area. Games were played between the stage and the seats.
Opponents thought the curved walls and tight area played tricks with their eyes. The curvature of the walls behind the backboards made it appear the walls were moving, making it harder for opponents to shoot free throws.
Other problems made the auditorium unfit for basketball games. There was concrete beneath the wooden basketball floor and players complained about shin splints all the time.
Space for the growing University was also an issue. As the basketball team continued to win games in Hoch Auditorium, the fan base became larger.
Because the auditorium held only a limited number of people, tickets were sold for only half a game. Fans would try to buy tickets from scalpers outside to see the other half of the game.
Although the team played in difficult circumstances, during the 1927 to 1955 seasons alone, it finished first in its conference a total of 17 times, went to the Sweet Sixteen once, was in the Final Four three times and won an NCAA title in 1952.
A packed house watches a game in the early days of Allen Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse was an improvement on the tight spaces and concrete floor of Hoch Auditorium.
For those years, the Jayhawks were coached by Forrest C. “Phog” Allen. Allen was the national coach of the year in 1950, and the Fieldhouse where the basketball teams play today is named after him.
The Allen Fieldhouse is said to play a significant role in the basketball teams’ success over the years.
“It’s haunted by the ghost of Phog Allen,” said Natalie McAllister, a Topeka graduate student. “He’s the Phog. He’s supposed to be what you should beware of.”