The largest high school basketball gyms in the United States refers to gymnasiums primarily used by secondary schools for basketball purposes. 14 of the 16 largest high school gymnasiums are located in the state of Indiana.
In March 2019, The Indianapolis Star reported that the Indiana High School Basketball Historical Society had done research through actual on-site counts, conducting personal interviews, and reviewing architectural blueprints to confirm the accuracy of the list of the largest high school gyms in Indiana. This research confirmed a reordering of the top three sites was necessary, moving Seymour's Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium to the top spot. The previous #1, New Castle's Fieldhouse, was moved to third. However, when the Fieldhouse was renovated in 2020, its seating capacity was increased from 7,829 to 8,424, enabling New Castle to reclaim the #1 spot.
Current list
The top 12 in total seating capacity are as follows:
| State | City | Venue | Capacity | Year Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | New Castle | New Castle Fieldhouse | 8,424 | 1959 |
| 2 | Indiana | Seymour | Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium | 8,228 | 1970 |
| 3 | Indiana | East Chicago | John A. Baratto Athletic Center | 8,054 | 1988 |
| 4 | Indiana | Muncie | Muncie Fieldhouse | 7,635 | 1928 |
| 5 | Indiana | Marion | Bill Green Athletic Arena | 7,560 | 1970 |
| 6 | Texas | Dallas | Alfred J. Loos Fieldhouse | 7,500 | 1965 |
| 7 | Indiana | Elkhart | North Side Gymnasium | 7,373 | 1954 |
| 8 | Indiana | Michigan City | "The Wolves' Den" Gym | 7,304 | 1971 |
| 9 | Illinois | Moline | Wharton Field House | 7,250 | 1928 |
| 10 | Indiana | Gary | West Side High School Gym | 7,217 | 1969 |
| 11 | Indiana | Lafayette | Jefferson High School Gym | 7,200 | 1975 |
| 12 | Indiana | Southport | Southport High School Gym | 7,124 | 1958 |
- Notes
- One other high school-owned facility has a basketball capacity that would place it in this list—the Round Valley Ensphere, at Round Valley High School in Eagar, Arizona. Although it has a maximum capacity of 9,200 for court sports, it is not included in this list because it is a domed football stadium.
- The Anderson High School Wigwam in Anderson, Indiana, which was once one of the largest high school gyms in the country with a purported capacity of 8,996, closed in 2011, and remains standing but closed as of August 2016. In August 2014, the school board accepted a plan that will allow for redevelopment of the site while maintaining the gymnasium through at least 2030. When renovations are complete, the school district will have rent-free access to the arena for at least 12 event days per year, plus practices.
- Richmond High School's Tiernan Center, in Richmond, Indiana, was the 4th largest gym until 2020, when it was removed from the ranks after a renovation brought its seating capacity from 7,786 to 5,700.
See also
References
- ^ "You'd better sit down: Indiana's largest high school basketball gym changes after seating count". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
- ^ Kyle Neddenriep (2021-02-02). "New Castle: The nation's largest high school gym — once again". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
- "Top Ten Famous High School Gyms in the US". Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "largest Indiana high school gymnasiums". Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- ^ Ruibal, Sal (February 25, 2004). "Fieldhouse a cathedral to high school hoops". USA Today. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- "Round Valley Dome: Information". Round Valley Unified School District. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- Cook, Bob (February 21, 2013). "Anderson, Indiana's Once-Mighty Wigwam Gym: Still Dead". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- Hirsch, Stuart (August 28, 2014). "Wigwam saved from wrecking ball". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- "Richmond HS gym to lose national ranking with new renovations".