McGonigle Hall
Encyclopedia
McGonigle Hall is an athletic facility on the campus of Temple University
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. Opened on December 2, 1969 with an upset win over the St. John's
. The venue served as the home of basketball and other sports events until replaced in 1997 by The Apollo of Temple, a larger facility now known as the Liacouras Center
.
Due to its small size, Temple played the majority of its games at the Palestra
through 1984, when the school decided to most of its home games to McGonigle to have a home-court advantage under legendary coach John Chaney. Big Five
games were usually played at the Palestra.
After the Liacouras Center opened, the facility was renovated, now used as a campus recreation center.
McGonigle Hall was named for Arthur T. McGonigle, a Temple University benefactor, trustee and pretzel magnate from Reading
. For basketball events such as selected 1987, 1990, and 1992 Atlantic Ten Conference
men's basketball tournament games, its capacity was 3,900.
Temple played a "Turn Back the Clock
Game" at McGonigle Hall against Bowling Green on December 28, 2009, featuring Throwback uniform
s and '80s music, attire, and concession prices.
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. Opened on December 2, 1969 with an upset win over the St. John's
St. John's University (New York City)
St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
. The venue served as the home of basketball and other sports events until replaced in 1997 by The Apollo of Temple, a larger facility now known as the Liacouras Center
Liacouras Center
The Liacouras Center, a 10,200-seat multi-purpose venue, is located on the Temple University campus along North Broad Street in North Philadelphia. The venue is a full entertainment arena featuring concerts, family shows, Temple Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, Philadelphia KiXX games, and other...
.
Due to its small size, Temple played the majority of its games at the Palestra
Palestra
The Palestra, also known as the Cathedral of College Basketball, is a historic arena and the home gym of the University of Pennsylvania Quakers men's and women's basketball teams, volleyball teams, wrestling team, and Philadelphia Big 5 basketball. Located at 215 South 33rd St...
through 1984, when the school decided to most of its home games to McGonigle to have a home-court advantage under legendary coach John Chaney. Big Five
Philadelphia Big 5
The Philadelphia Big 5 is an informal association of college athletic programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It is not a conference; indeed the five schools that are members of the Big 5 are members of three separate conferences: the Atlantic 10, the Big East, and the Ivy League.The five...
games were usually played at the Palestra.
After the Liacouras Center opened, the facility was renovated, now used as a campus recreation center.
McGonigle Hall was named for Arthur T. McGonigle, a Temple University benefactor, trustee and pretzel magnate from Reading
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
. For basketball events such as selected 1987, 1990, and 1992 Atlantic Ten Conference
Atlantic Ten Conference
The Atlantic 10 Conference is a college athletic conference which operates mostly on the United States' eastern seaboard. It also has two member schools in Ohio: Dayton and Xavier, located in Dayton and Cincinnati, respectively. Another member, Saint Louis is located in St. Louis, Missouri...
men's basketball tournament games, its capacity was 3,900.
Temple played a "Turn Back the Clock
Turn Back the Clock (baseball)
Turn Back the Clock is the name associated with the promotion by Major League Baseball franchises when they wear throwback uniforms. Often, the uniforms signify a special event in the team or regions history. The promotion was originated in 1990 by the Chicago White Sox...
Game" at McGonigle Hall against Bowling Green on December 28, 2009, featuring Throwback uniform
Throwback uniform
Throwback uniforms and jerseys are one-time or limited-time variations on a sports team's uniforms styled to resemble uniforms from that team's past. They have proven popular in all major pro and college sports in the USA, not only with fans, but with the teams' marketing and merchandising...
s and '80s music, attire, and concession prices.