Bloomington, Indiana – IU Athletics is set to celebrate the 50th birthday of its most iconic facility.
On Sept. 12, 1971, the doors opened for the first time at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Indiana University's new $26.6 million, 17,500-seat indoor arena. Originally designed to host athletic contests, concerts, conventions, and other large campus and community events, it welcomed many big names outside of athletics in its early days. Bob Hope, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, and Elton John is just a sampling of the big-name entertainers that wowed crowds when the building was in its infancy.