The Official Site of Augsburg University Athletics

Home of the Augsburg College volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams, Si Melby Hall was completed in 1961. When it was completed, it was hailed as an innovative, multi-purpose facility; used as a gymnasium, chapel, convocation center and concert hall. But in the late 1990s, the facility began to show its age. In 2000, Si Melby Hall underwent an extensive renovation project, and a construction project in 2006 added a new addition, the Kennedy Center, to the building's south side.

Si Melby Hall was named for J.S. (Si) Melby '11, who was Augsburg's Dean of Men from 1920 to 1942 and director of the college's Christianity department. Melby, a 1911 Augsburg graduate and 1914 graduate of Augsburg Seminary, is considered the "father of Augsburg athletics," serving as the college's first athletic director (1924-33) and first basketball.

Outside of Si Melby Hall, alongside 23rd Avenue, is the Gertrude and Richard Pautz Plaza. The plaza, completed in 2001, features four cast-iron benches and attractive landscaping, a wonderful place for people to gather outside of the building. The exterior plaza showcases one of the most public portions of the 2000 renovation project -- the new glass windows and doors on the west side of the building. The windows and doors not only give the building a new and more impressive look, but also are extremely energy-efficient, a necessity with the new heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system inside the building.

The plaza, dedicated in June 2001, was named for Dick Pautz '37, who served Augsburg as athletic director, intramural director and public relations director, along with serving two terms (11 years) on the college's board of regents; and his wife Gertrude (Erling) Pautz '36, who was an active member of the Augsburg Associates (formerly Augsburg Women's Club). Both were lifelong fans of Augsburg athletics.

The north entrance is only used for large-size events, such as commencement or major athletic events; the main entrance for most athletic events at Si Melby Hall is now through the Kennedy Center entrance.Adjacent to the north entrance is a rock and flower garden that is uniquely Augsburg. During the spring and summer months, the garden features uniquely designed floral arrangements. It's one of the special landscaping touches applied by groundskeeper Bruce Rowe and his student staff.

The main lobby of Si Melby Hall was updated and expanded as a part of the 2000 renovation project. An interior glass doorway was removed, making for a much more open area on the north side of the lobby. The north side of the lobby is now used for concessions and merchandise sales during home athletic events. The main entrance of the building is now on the south side of the building, through the Kennedy Center lobby.

A complete heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system was installed in the building during the 2000 renovation project, a much-needed improvement to make the building a year-round resource for the Augsburg community. The new doors and exterior windows are all extremely energy-efficient.

Ringing the lobby is the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. The Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1973 to recognize male athletes who have made special contributions to the college's athletic history. In 1989, female athletes were first inducted into the Hall. Recipients are chosen each year on the basis of performance in Augsburg athletics, service to the school, civic and professional achievements and leadership. Recipients are honored at a Hall of Fame banquet during Homecoming week.

In the center of the lobby is Augsburg's main trophy case, showcasing the school's national championship trophies and other accomplishments by our various athletic teams. Next to the trophy case are One of Our Own plaques honoring alumni Lute Olson '56, Ernie Anderson '37, Edor Nelson '38, and Ed Saugestad '59. Following the 40th Anniversary in Women's Athletics Celebration during the fall of 2012, Augsburg also added two plaques honoringLavonne Johnson Peterson '50 and Joyce Anderson Pfaff '65. On the east wall is a jersey from the New York (now New Jersey) Nets worn by Dan Anderson '65, the first Augsburg athlete ever drafted by an NBA team. He played for the ABA's Nets in the late 1960s.

On the west side of the main floor a classroom/meeting room, offices for the Health and Physical Education/Athletic departments, the A-Club alumni organization and the football coaching staff. All were renovated in both the 2000 and 2006 construction projects. In the summer of 2011, Augsburg added numerous graphics and banners in the main floor hallway to improve the aesthetics in the area.