McGaw Memorial Hall

In 1952, Northwestern University welcomed a new landmark to its campus: McGaw Memorial Hall. This imposing structure, a gift from Foster G. McGaw, was built in honor of his father, a Presbyterian minister. McGaw Memorial Hall was more than just a sporting venue. It was a symbol of community, designed to host the entire student body and more. In its early years, McGaw Memorial Hall witnessed a gathering of global significance. The Second Assembly of the World Council of Churches convened here in 1952, drawing attendees from across the globe. It was an event that put McGaw Memorial Hall on the world stage, forever intertwining it with a message of peace and understanding. Beyond its role in international affairs, McGaw Memorial Hall was a place where history was made on the hardwood. In 1956, this very hall hosted the NCAA Men’s Final Four. The championship game saw the University of San Francisco, led by the legendary Bill Russell, triumph over the University of Iowa. Today, while part of McGaw Memorial Hall has been renamed Welsh-Ryan Arena, the spirit of those early years lives on. The echoes of roaring crowds and the legacy of those historic events are woven into the very fabric of this place.