BYU Unveils 50th Anniversary Logo For Historic Marriott Center
Oct 12, 2021, 4:47 PM | Updated: 4:49 pm
The Marriott Center on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo is pictured on Wednesday March 11, 2020. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – The 2021-22 season for BYU basketball marks the 50th anniversary of the Marriott Center. BYU’s home to the men’s and women’s basketball programs.
To celebrate the golden anniversary of the 19,000-seat facility, BYU Alumni released a video paying tribute to the history of the building.
At the end of the video featured a logo commemorating the Marriott Center’s 50th anniversary.
When the building opened in 1971, it was initially called the Marriott Activities Center in honor of J. Willard Marriott. The initial capacity of the Marriott Center was 22,000, making it the largest basketball arena in the United States.
50th anniversary logo for #BYU's historic Marriott Center.#BYUHoops @kslsports https://t.co/V3CkkTjTLe pic.twitter.com/w8nsr92yDE
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2021
Now the Marriott Center is the eighth largest on-campus college basketball arena in the country.
Historic venue in college hoops
The Marriott Center has been known to create some of the loudest atmospheres you’ll find in college basketball. After defeating No. 2 Gonzaga on Senior Night in 2020, ESPN’s Sean Farnham said the environment at the Marriott Center was the loudest he’s heard in 20 years of covering college basketball.
That environment vs Zags was loudest I’ve heard in 20 years of covering CBB…and I have called games everywhere. https://t.co/rfsps1Axlc
— Sean Farnham (@SeanFarnham) April 27, 2020
Before moving into the Marriott Center, BYU basketball played its games at the Smith Fieldhouse from 1951-1971. All of those seasons were under the direction of legendary head coach Stan Watts. Before the Fieldhouse, BYU played their games in the Springville High Gymnasium and the University of Utah.
BYU basketball has a winning tradition at the Marriott Center
Since 1971, BYU basketball has had an 80% winning percentage at the Marriott Center. The Cougars are 598-145 all-time in games played at the Marriott Center.
BYU basketball opens up the 50th year in the Marriott Center on November 9 against defending Horizon League Champion Cleveland State. Other notable home games include San Diego State on November 12, Utah State on December 8, and Gonzaga on February 5.
The women’s team tips off their regular season on November 9 as well against Lipscomb. BYU’s first five games of the season will be in the cozy confines of the Marriott Center.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
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