DeBruce Center Grand Opening
Posted on Jul 26, 2016 in Campus News, News, and Sports
The new home of Naismith’s original rules of basketball hosted a housewarming party when the DeBruce Center held its official grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 23. Hundreds of loyal fans and alumni made the pilgrimage to Lawrence to pay tribute to the game’s inventor and tour the new building connected to Allen Fieldhouse.
Visitors took in exhibit panels telling the story of Naismith and the influence he and Phog Allen, the “father of basketball coaching,” had on the world. Two of Phog’s former players, Bill Hougland, b’52, and Jerry Waugh, d’51 g’59, were among the first through the doors, eager to view the rules and relive their glory days playing basketball for KU.
“We only had one set of rules when we played, and those were Doc Allen’s rules,” Hougland shared. “You didn’t break those.”
Families enjoyed games and attractions for kids, including face painting, balloon animals, and book signings. Fans were able to view the star attraction, Naismith’s original rules, with a recording of a radio broadcast of Naismith being interviewed. The recording, in which Naismith talks about his invention, was recently discovered by a KU researcher and is the only known recording of Naismith.
Some of the fun and attractions were chronicled on social media by those who took time to visit the DeBruce Center, which you can check out below.
The big day is finally here! S/O @suaevents, @KUunion, & @KUAthletics for their support in making this event happen! pic.twitter.com/Gs7oB3z6BH
— DeBruce Center (@DeBruceCenter) July 23, 2016
KU’s DeBruce Center to hold grand opening for Naismith’s original rules of ‘Basket Ball’ https://t.co/O4QrGJVKNd pic.twitter.com/YzyZXvQukU
— Rochelle Valverde (@RochelleVerde) July 22, 2016
Former KU Basketball players return to see the original rules at the DeBruce Center Grand Opening #DeBruceCenter pic.twitter.com/xW1URVR8Kx
— KU Memorial Union (@KUunion) July 23, 2016
#KUdiscoveries: A legend speaks. Hear James Naismith talk about inventing basketball. https://t.co/5CeCDqo8db pic.twitter.com/BYa179QzFC
— University of Kansas (@KUnews) July 21, 2016
Just hanging out with the good doctor, NBD. The DeBruce Center looks great! #kubball pic.twitter.com/uaxArYKI3l
— Travis J. Berkley (@tberkley) July 23, 2016
Goosebumps. Every. Time. Loved seeing the brand new DeBruce Center yesterday! #RockChalk https://t.co/EamtZHRsWk
— Jesse Heilman (@jessejayhawk) July 24, 2016
The Debruce Center Grand Opening was so much fun, it knocked Baby Jay off her feet! pic.twitter.com/P0guf5zEfu
— SUA Tweet Feed (@suaevents) July 23, 2016
We are excited to share with you this short documentary about our facility, produced by @kjhk! https://t.co/fgJOKXXtFV
— DeBruce Center (@DeBruceCenter) July 20, 2016
Kevin Willmott, Scott Novosel, & Greg Hardin will be signing books/DVDs @ https://t.co/z2P00PEWrh. Save the date! pic.twitter.com/n7A6nOd37T
— KU Bookstore (@KUBookstore) July 8, 2016
We're so excited to have Kevin Willmott here! pic.twitter.com/c97n3W7jWz
— KU Memorial Union (@KUunion) July 23, 2016
Thanks to Scott Novosel for inspiring the next generation of Jayhawks, like Austin! @fieldhouse_book @DeBruceCenter pic.twitter.com/9Dk3MJ8INe
— David Johnston (@daviddjohnston) July 23, 2016
Having fun at the grand opening of KU's @DeBruceCenter! pic.twitter.com/Q8e8pKoU7C
— David Johnston (@daviddjohnston) July 23, 2016
Thank you to everyone who came to the DeBruce Center Grand Opening! @KUAthletics @suaevents @DeBruceCenter pic.twitter.com/O8sORzhZJ5
— KU Memorial Union (@KUunion) July 23, 2016
For those who visit, more sights and sounds abound, including a short movie presentation (in a small theater in Allen Fieldhouse), plus shopping and dining options at the Original Rules Gift Shop and the Courtside Cafe. The DeBruce Center is operated by the KU Memorial Unions and is open Monday through Thursday from 7am to 6pm, Friday from 7am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am – 5pm. It is closed on Sundays.
–David Johnston
