The Sobrato Center facts for kids
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| Location | 2335 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California 94118 |
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| Coordinates | 37°46′37″N 122°26′58″W / 37.77694°N 122.44944°W |
| Owner | University of San Francisco |
| Operator | University of San Francisco |
| Capacity | 3,005 |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Tenants | |
| San Francisco Dons (NCAA) (1958–present) | |
The War Memorial at the Sobrato Center is a sports building in San Francisco, California. It is located on the campus of the University of San Francisco (USF). This building is home to the university's men's and women's college basketball teams. The women's volleyball team also plays here. It also has offices and training areas for other USF sports teams. It is the oldest basketball venue in the West Coast Conference. People often call it "The Hilltop" because USF is on top of Lone Mountain.
Contents
History of the War Memorial Gym
Building a Home for the Dons
Before 1958, the USF basketball team did not have its own place to play. During their amazing championship seasons in 1955 and 1956, the teams had to practice and play at other gyms. These included Kezar Pavilion or the gym at St. Ignatius High School.
After USF won two national championships in a row, people helped raise money. This money made it possible to build a sports venue right on campus. In 1958, the War Memorial Gym officially opened its doors.
Early Years and Famous Players
The War Memorial Gym first met all of USF's sports needs. It even hosted some games for the San Francisco Warriors from 1962 to 1967. When women's sports started at the university, the gym also became home to the women's basketball and volleyball teams.
Even though the gym opened after the famous Bill Russell and K. C. Jones played, it was home to other great USF teams. In the late 1970s, players like Bill Cartwright, Phil Smith, and Quintin Dailey played here. Some very big games were held at larger venues like the Cow Palace or the Oakland Arena. In 1989, a new building called the Koret Health and Recreation Center was built. After that, War Memorial Gym was used only for sports.
Honoring Heroes and Athletes
The War Memorial Gym is dedicated to USF students who died while serving in wars. It can hold 3,005 people. Above the court, you can see banners celebrating USF's championships in basketball. This includes titles won by the women's team. Banners also show retired numbers of famous players like Pete Newell and Phil Woolpert. In the gym's entrance, there is a small hall of fame. It displays trophies and items from USF's sports history.
A TV Show Filmed Here
In 1998, an episode of the TV show Teletubbies called "Basketball" was filmed at the Sobrato Center. Phil Mathews and his son, Jordan, were shown playing basketball in that episode.
Modern Upgrades and Renovations
Improving the Gym
In 2008 and 2009, USF made some important upgrades to the gym. The old floor, which was the original one, was replaced. The bleacher seats in the upper area were also replaced. New baskets were put in, and new banners were added.
Major Renovations and New Features
In 2015, plans were announced for more renovations. This project would cost $15 million and would happen over three to four years. It was mainly done during the basketball teams' off-season. This project was funded by John and Susan Sobrato, who are business people from Silicon Valley. Because of their help, the gym and its practice areas are named after them.
The renovations added a special club level with seating. Restrooms were updated, and an elevator was installed. The building was also made stronger to be safer in earthquakes. A museum about USF's sports history and its values will also be added. In the summer of 2019, four new video screens were put in each corner of the gym. On November 9, 2019, the USF Dons played their first college basketball game at the Chase Center, winning 82-72 against the Princeton Tigers.
Important Games and Tournaments
War Memorial Gym was the place where CBS first broadcast a national college basketball game. This was in 1982, when USF played the University of Georgia. The gym also hosted the West Coast Conference men's basketball tournaments in 1987, 1989, and 1993.
See also
In Spanish: War Memorial Gymnasium para niños
