Fighting Illini basketball

Assembly Hall 50th anniversary celebration planned for Saturday

Several special events planned for Illini home finale versus Nebraska

[February 28, 2013]  CHAMPAIGN -- The University of Illinois will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Assembly Hall during Saturday's sold-out men's basketball game against Nebraska, which is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. CT. The Senior Day contest against the Cornhuskers is exactly 50 years from when the Assembly Hall first opened its doors, on March 2, 1963.

To celebrate the historic anniversary, several special events are planned for the Saturday game:

• Each fan will receive a commemorative 50th anniversary ticket.

• Exclusive historical footage of the Assembly Hall will be shown.

• Video of the proposed renovation project will be debuted.

• Shoutout video will be shown of Illini greats and entertainers who have performed at the Assembly Hall.

• Prior to their final home game, Fighting Illini seniors Kevin Berardini, Tyler Griffey, Sam McLaurin, Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson will be honored in a ceremony.

In addition to the events at Saturday's game, memorable Assembly Hall moments are being highlighted this week at FightingIllini.com, on the Fighting Illini Basketball Facebook page, and on the @IlliniHoops Twitter page. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #AH50 to post their favorite memories of the Assembly Hall.

The University of Illinois Assembly Hall has served as home to the Fighting Illini men's basketball program since its construction in 1963 as well as the home to the Fighting Illini women's basketball program from 1981-93 and 1998-99 to the present.

Illinois fans help turn the Assembly Hall into a sea of orange for every Illini home game. That, combined with the Orange Krush student cheering section surrounding the court, gives the Illini one of the best home-court advantages in the country.

In addition to being the home for Fighting Illini basketball, the Assembly Hall has hosted events for volleyball, men's and women's gymnastics, and wrestling in the past, and will host this year's Big Ten Wrestling Championships March 9-10. The Assembly Hall also hosts performances for Broadway musicals, commencement ceremonies, concerts and other shows, and has been home to Illinois High School Association state championships for boys basketball (1963-95), girls basketball (1978-90) and wrestling (1967-present).

[Text from news release received from FightingIllini.com]