AHS celebrates the 100th anniversary of Huff Hall
The College of Applied Health Sciences and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will celebrate 100 years of historic George Huff Hall during the 2025-26 academic year.
Originally named New Gymnasium when it was opened in 1925, Huff has hosted hundreds of sporting and campus events that included hundreds of thousands of students, fans and families over the decades.
"As we celebrate the centennial of George Huff Hall, we honor its rich legacy as a cornerstone of Illinois athletics and academic excellence," said Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences. "For 100 years, this historic venue has brought together students, athletes, and the community, embodying the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines the College of Applied Health Sciences. We look forward to the next century of impact and inspiration within its walls."
A complete list of events surrounding the Huff Hall celebration will be announced as they become final but are expected to include special programming around a number of Illini sporting events and reunions in the fall.
"For 100 years, Huff Hall has played a major role on the University of Illinois campus, from hosting thousands of fans for sporting events to providing an incredible learning and research environment in the classrooms and concluding with graduation ceremonies," Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "Originally, the building was known around the nation as home to some of the finest basketball teams during its first 40 years. More recently, it has become the proud home to multiple sports programs that continue to compete at the national level. Few buildings on our campus can match Huff Hall for broad-based impact and lasting legacy."
Building namesake George Huff and his impact on the Illinois campus and athletics department were the primary topics of this year's Sapora Symposium hosted by the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. A semester-long applied learning series entitled "The Illini Way: The Enduring Legacy of George Huff," speakers during the symposium included Whitman, Chicago Bears CEO and former Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren, Julie Giese, director of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Grayson Farrar, vice president of Brandr Group and Amanda Mulligan, director of Social Media/Marketing/Brand, U.S. Marketing for McDonald's.
The first sporting event at New Gymnasium came on Dec. 12, 1925, when the Illini defeated Butler, 23-22. Illinois basketball would go on to call Huff Gym its home through the 1963 season when the Assembly Hall opened just a few blocks south on Fourth Street. During the 38 seasons at Huff, Illinois compiled a home record of 339-79 (.811), winning eight Big Ten championships and earning three NCAA Final Four appearances.
New Gymnasium was renamed George Huff Gym in 1937 after the long-time Illinois athletics director died in 1936. Huff Gym was named Huff Hall in 1992.
AHS boasts highly ranked programs in fields such as Health and Kinesiology, Speech and Hearing Science, and Recreation, Sport and Tourism. The college's faculty members are leaders in their fields, conducting groundbreaking research in disability studies, rehabilitation, aging, wearable health technology and more. AHS is also known for blazing a trail in inclusivity with its Disability Resources and Educational Services unit, and its work with military-connected people with the Chez Veterans Center. AHS researchers collaborate internationally to improve health outcomes and policies worldwide.
The Athletics Department and Physical Education Department shared space at Huff until the Athletics Association offices mostly moved to the Assembly Hall and the Armory. The College of Applied Health Sciences staff and administration occupy most of the office space in the building in addition to several classrooms. The Khan Annex opened on the north end in 2011 to complete the original construction plans.
The Illinois volleyball, wrestling, women's gymnastics and men's gymnastics continue to use the gym for competition. Over the decades, other sports that used the gym include women's basketball, fencing and swimming.
In addition to sports competition, other events held at Huff over the decades include graduation ceremonies, campus dances, concerts and entertainment shows, and intramural competition. Huff was the home to the "Original March Madness" during the Illinois High School Association state basketball tournaments from 1926 through 1963.
Many NCAA championship events have been hosted at Huff including the 1940 and 1947 national wrestling tournaments, multiple NCAA volleyball tournament matches, NCAA men's gymnastics regional meets, and the first and second rounds of the 1997 NCAA Women's Basketball Championships.