Stegeman Coliseum, originally called the Coliseum, was completed in 1964. It was officially dedicated to the memory of Herman James Stegeman on March 2, 1996, at a special ceremony. Stegeman was known as a pioneer in collegiate basketball during the 1920s in the South. His work with the University of Georgia helped the athletic program in many ways. One of his greatest contributions was the organization of the old Southern Conference Tournament held in Atlanta from 1921 to 1932. Stegeman continued to make many contributions to Georgia's athletic program during the twenty years that he worked for the University of Georgia (1919-1939).
The athletic tradition at Stegeman Coliseum began when it replaced the “inadequate facilities” of Woodruff Hall (Boney 76). When the coliseum first opened in 1964, it drew its largest crowd in history at its inaugural game in which Georgia defeated its arch-rival Georgia Tech by a score of 81 to 68. At that game, an amazing attendance of 13,200 people was recorded and has yet to be surpassed (Wikipedia). At that time, the coliseum had seating for 11, 200 people, slightly more than the 10, 523 it seats today.
Today Stegeman Coliseum is the home of the UGA basketball and gymnastics programs. During its history Stegeman has showcased the Mideast Regional of the 1971 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, as well as the 1989 and 1995 NCAA championships for college gymnastics. Besides its use for basketball and gymnastics, Stegeman has also served as a large auditorium for guest speakers, rodeo rings, and other uses for the university. In 1996 just before the Olympics came to the state of Georgia, Stegeman had its first renovation. It received a new scoreboard and the first video replay board which no other SEC school had at that time. It continues to receive new renovations such as paint, seating, and LED “ribbon” boards.
In addition to its athletic history, Stegeman's architecture makes it an unique building on campus. The architecture was new and modern for the 1960s with its large curved roof, rounded walls, shallow sloped arches, and impressive size. An interesting fact about the construction of the coliseum is that the roof was built before the walls were, creating a large pavilion-like structure. This large UFO-looking structure was a sight to see. It was during this stage of construction that a local legend was created. Bill King, who was an elementary student at the time, recalls, “I remember when only the arches of the distinctive flying-saucer-like structure were up and a classmate's father (something of a town character) actually flew an airplane underneath them!” (King AJC). People continue to speak of that legendary airplane flight today. The walls are actually not connected to the roof; an aluminum bellows connects the walls to the roof of the coliseum. These bellows allow the natural movement of the roof and walls during climate changes.
Stegeman Coliseum's unique shape and arches are very noticeable to anyone passing by. Over the years, students have taken risks and climbed up the arches onto the roof of Stegeman Coliseum. The top of Stegeman has been used for many events such as tailgating, but now it is fenced off by gates at the top of the arches.
These gates do not keep people off the top of Stegeman as Kerry Nelson, senior and RA in Mell Hall, explained to me. Kerry Nelson spoke of his many trips to the top of Stegeman. “There's lots of cigar butts,” Nelson explains, and the roof is “like sand dunes; rolling white fields.” The gates were put up there in the early 1990s to stop people from climbing to the top according to Nelson. Even vehicles have been on top of Stegeman. “People use to drive motorcycles up there during tailgates” (Nelson). Nelson told a story of him and his friends who were caught climbing down Stegeman one night. “We were almost down to the ground when a cop car saw us,” Nelson said disappointingly. Nelson explained that after being yelled at by the police, he was let go. The stories of the airplane flight and the students' adventures to the top of Stegeman make it a legendary building on campus.
Stegeman Coliseum is certainly a historical and physical landmark at the University of Georgia. It not only keeps the memory of Herman James Stegeman alive, but also it represents the continual achievement in the University of Georgia athletics from all the banners that hang proudly inside the coliseum. When people see Stegeman for the first time or for the one-hundredth time, the reaction is generally the same. Amazed at the grand size and unusual architecture, people stare in awe at Stegeman. Often one might wonder what it is like on top or how a pilot could have flown his airplane through the middle. Unlike many other buildings on campus, almost everyone has a story about Stegeman. Whether they have been on top or seen an amazing game inside, there is always history linked to Stegeman Coliseum.
Works Cited
Boney, F.N. A Walking Tour of the University of Georgia. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1989.
King, Bill. “It takes winning, not whining.” Atlanta Journal Constitution 12 Feb 2006. 21 Oct 2007
Nelson, Kerry. Personal Interview. 22 Oct 2007.
“Stegeman Coliseum” GeorgiaDogs.com. 21 Oct. 2007.
“Stegeman Coliseum.” Wikipedia. 11 Aug 2007.
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