Imagine the roar of the crowd. That echoes within the walls of Jones-Hill House. This building stands as a testament to history, sports, and social change.
Originally known as the Cole Field House, it opened in 1955. It was named the Student Activities Building. The construction cost $3.3 million. That is about $37.5 million today.
For nearly 50 years, Jones-Hill House was the home court for Maryland Terrapins basketball. The arena seated 12,000 fans. It ranked as the second-largest basketball arena on the East Coast. Only Madison Square Garden was larger.
The first basketball game took place on December 2, 1955. The Maryland Terrapins triumphed over the Virginia Cavaliers. The final score was 67–55. In 1956, the building was renamed. It honored William P. Cole Jr. He chaired the university’s Board of Regents.
Jones-Hill House witnessed many historic moments. In 1962, it hosted the NCAA basketball tournament East Region finals. New York University defeated St. John’s. The facility hosted the NCAA Final Four in 1966. Texas Western upset Kentucky. Texas Western’s team started five black players. This victory is considered a pivotal moment in college sports history.
In 1991, Richmond upset Syracuse. Richmond was a No. 15 seed. Syracuse was a No. 2 seed. It was the first time that this kind of upset happened in the NCAA Tournament.
The Maryland Terrapins achieved numerous upsets. They defeated No. 1-ranked men’s basketball teams six times at Jones-Hill House. The last men’s basketball game took place on March 3, 2002. Maryland defeated Virginia 112–92.
In the 1990s, the university sought a new facility. It needed more seating and amenities. Coach Gary Williams wanted the team to stay at Jones-Hill House. He valued the home-court advantage.
After the basketball teams moved out, the facility was used for intramural athletics. It also housed administrative offices. In 2010, the Maryland Maniacs indoor football team used Jones-Hill House as their home venue.
A $196 million renovation began in 2015. It transformed the arena into a sports and academic complex. The complex includes a football practice facility. It also features a sports science and medical research center.
In April 2021, the facility was renamed Jones-Hill House. It honored Billy Jones and Darryl Hill. They were the first Black men to integrate basketball and football at Maryland.
Jones broke the color barrier in basketball in 1965. Hill was the first Black football player in the ACC in 1963. Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour, supported the project. He chose to honor these trailblazers.
Today, Jones-Hill House is the football team’s performance center. It includes coaching offices. There are team meeting spaces and locker rooms. You’ll also find dining facilities there. The facility embraces a holistic approach. It offers career and nutrition support.
Jones-Hill House stands as a symbol. It represents athletic excellence and social progress.