Beasley Coliseum History

Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum opened in December of 1973, constructed at the cost of $8.5 million. This building is named for the former executive vice president and acting president (1966-67) who retired in 1981. The first men’s basketball coach to use the new Coliseum was George Raveling. Raveling was the first African American head basketball coach in the Pac-8.

Many of the campus cultural activities take place here; ballet performances, plays, operas, rock concerts, and guest lectures. It is also the site of Washington State University's larger graduation ceremonies. This structure seats 12,000 for Cougar basketball games on Friel Court and 12,500 for major concerts. Friel Court was named for Jack Friel, a 1923 graduate and WSU basketball coach for 30 years (1929 to 1958). The facility can also be set-up in the following configurations: Mini-Arena- seating 4700; Theatre- seating 2500; Mini-Theatre- seating 1000; Chamber Theatre- seating 275.

Some interesting events have taken place in Beasley over the years. One of the more memorable ones was in 1974 when a fundraiser brought a live bear into the coliseum. Its name was “Victory the Wrestling Bear. ” The opponents to face the bear were Athletic Director Sam Jankovich, Bill Moos (Jankovich’s assistant and present day Athletic Director) and wrestling Coach Roger James.

Read more about Wallis Beasley in Washington State Magazine, Wallis Beasley, 92 - Sociologist, administrator, interim WSU president[1]. Read about Friel Court and Jack Friel at the WSU Athletics site[2].

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