Trojan fans dreamed of it for over a century. Now, here it is, the Galen Center.
This multipurpose indoor arena is owned and operated by the University of Southern California. The Galen Center stands at the southeast corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street. It sits in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles. You will notice it is right across the street from the USC campus.
Before the Galen Center, USC basketball had a nomadic existence. Games were played at the Shrine Auditorium stage and the Pan-Pacific Auditorium. From 1959, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena was home.
The final push for this magnificent arena started in 2002. Louis Galen and his wife Helene donated $10 million. This happened right after USC quarterback Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy. The Galens later donated an additional $25 million. They wanted the building named after them. They further increased their donation by $15 million. This ensured a connected practice facility would also bear their name. The Galens’ total donation reached $50 million. Before this, USC basketball teams practiced at the smaller North Gym. The Galen Center replaced the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. It became the new home for USC basketball.
Construction cost an estimated $147 million. This covered the arena, team offices, and a state-of-the-art practice facility. The city of Los Angeles gets a large tax revenue from the Galen Center. This comes from the 10% parking tax. Other tax revenues include sales tax and utility users tax.
HNTB designed the Galen Center. Construction began on October 31, 2004. Los Angeles City Council members attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Helene and Louis Galen were also present.
The Galen Center officially opened on October 12, 2006. The first event was a women’s volleyball game. USC played against Stanford. Al Green performed the first concert on October 21, 2006. The first men’s basketball game was on November 16. USC played against the University of South Carolina.
The Galen Center’s basketball court has a unique story. It is named after former USC player Jim Sterkel. He played in the 1950s. What makes this special is that the Sterkel family wasn’t aware of the honor until after the opening. B. Wayne Hughes, a friend of Sterkel, made a $5 million donation. He wanted to remain anonymous. Hughes said he grew up with Sterkel. They attended the same high school and were roommates at USC.
The Galen Center is a large facility. It measures 255,000 square feet. The pavilion covers 45,000 square feet. It holds three practice courts and offices. The seating capacity is 10,258.
The Galen Center has hosted many events. These include concerts and the Kids’ Choice Awards. The League of Legends Season 2 World Championship finals were held here. Even a heavyweight title boxing fight took place here.
The Galen Center is more than just an arena. It is a symbol of USC’s vision. It is a place where athletes compete. It is a place where the community comes together. The Galen Center stands as a testament to the power of dreams.