One of the best environments for college basketball is Maples Pavilion. Built in 1969, Maples Pavilion has been host to several of the most memorable collegiate games in the nation.
Maples Pavilion underwent a $26-million renovation that was completed in 2004-05, ushering in a new era of great basketball that benefited both student-athletes and fans alike. Maples Pavilion serves as home for the men's and women's basketball teams, along with women's volleyball program. The men's and women's gymnastics squads also occasionally host home meets in the facility.
The renovation, financed entirely through private donations, has enhanced the college athletic experience for both student-athletes and fans. The facelift included a new covered 29,000 square foot concourse around the exterior of the seating area, state-of-the-art concession and restroom facilities with speaker systems, in addition to a new four-sided, state-of-the-art, center-hung scoreboard with video and replay capability.
The concourse is physically separated from the original building. The gap between the original building and the new concourse was designed for two reasons: to preserve the integrity of the architectural design and create an open garden feel that is present throughout buildings on the Stanford campus. The renovation also included the new playing court floor, upgraded locker rooms, student-athlete lounges, a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning room and training room, a media workroom, photography office and Courtside Room reserved for banquets.
The seating configuration features a lower bowl seating area that replaced the old floor and loge sections. The new lower seating level includes padded stadium seats that replaced the wood bleachers in the old floor setup. With the upgraded facilities and the improved seating area at floor level, the home team and fans experience the best playing atmosphere in the Pac-10.
Stanford played its first game in Maples Pavilion on Jan. 3, 1969, losing to BYU 95-89. The following night, Stanford rebounded for a 94-78 victory over BYU. The formal dedication game was Mar. 1, 1969, as Stanford dropped a 75-66 decision to USC.
The 7,233-seat structure serves the entire university as a multi-purpose facility. It was originally built at a cost of $3.3 million. It was named after its principal donor, Roscoe Maples, a member of the 1904 Stanford class.
The pavilion is utilized throughout the year by university staff and students for recreational and intramural purposes. In addition to intercollegiate competition, physical education classes are held in Maples Pavilion. The pavilion is also used for banquets and lectures.
Maples Pavilion has earned a reputation as one of the finest facilities in the country, routinely hosting NCAA championship events. During the 2007-08 campaign, Maples Pavilion served as the host site for the following events: NCAA Women's Volleyball first and second rounds, NCAA Women's Volleyball Regionals, NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championship and NCAA Women's Basketball first and second rounds for the second straight season.
