CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Another one of the University of Illinois’ athletic venues is turning 100 years old. The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is planning a year-long celebration alongside the college that also occupies the venue.

It’s Huff Hall, home to the College of Applied Health Sciences and the Fighting Illini volleyball, men’s and women’s gymnastics and wrestling programs. The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics said the centenary celebrations will take place during the 2025-26 academic year.

“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.”

Huff Hall, originally called New Gymnasium, opened in 1925 as the new home of Fighting Illini men’s basketball. The first game there was on Dec. 12, 1925 — a 23-22 win over the Butler Bulldogs. In 1937, the venue was renamed George Huff Gym after longtime Director of Athletics George Huff died the prior year.

The Fighting Illini played at New/Huff Gym from its opening to 1963, when they moved a few blocks south to the brand-new Assembly Hall. Across 38 seasons in the building, the Illini compiled a record of 339-79, won eight Big Ten championships and went to the Final Four three times in a four-year span.

Huff Hall was also home to the IHSA state basketball tournaments, nicknamed the “Original March Madness,” until Assembly Hall opened. It hosted the 1940 and 1947 NCAA wrestling tournaments, the first and second rounds of the 1997 NCAA women’s basketball tournament and multiple NCAA volleyball tournament matches, most recently in 2018.

Over the decades, other Fighting Illini sports teams made use of the venue for their competitions. The women’s basketball, swimming and diving and fencing teams all used the venue at one point but have since moved elsewhere or disbanded. Volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling still compete at Huff Hall, renamed as such in 1992.

The building also hosts graduation ceremonies, campus dances, concerts and entertainment shows and intramural competition. All of that is in the center of the building; the surrounding hallways are filled with offices and classrooms, making it unique among Illini competition venues.

The College of Applied Health Sciences staff and administration occupy most of the office space in the building in addition to the classrooms. In addition to the original building, the Khan Annex opened on the north end in 2011 to complete the original construction plans.

“As we celebrate the centennial of George Huff Hall, we honor its rich legacy as a cornerstone of Illinois athletics and academic excellence,” Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences, said. “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.”

The DIA and College of Applied Health Sciences are still planning a complete list of events surrounding Huff Hall’s centenary, but the schedule is expected to include special programming around Illini sports events and reunions in the fall.