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Si Melby Hall
ADDRESS: 715 23rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454 (click for Google Maps)
CAPACITY: 2,200 (bleacher seating)
SPORTS: Basketball (M/W), Volleyball, Wrestling (M/W)
Home of the Augsburg University volleyball, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's wrestling teams, Si Melby Hall was completed in 1961. When it was completed, it as 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 coach.
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.
Ernie Anderson Court, the center court in the gymnasium, was officially dedicated in February 2001 in honor of Ernie Anderson '37, one of the shining stars of the history of Augsburg athletics. Anderson served the college as men's basketball coach for 23 seasons and as athletic director for 34 years, in addition to teaching in the health and physical education department for nearly four decades.
The south court was named Dan Anderson Court in 2006 in honor of Augsburg alum Dan Anderson '65, who was the first athlete drafted into professional basketball from Augsburg. His photo is on one of the banners on the east wall. Two other famous athletic alumni are also honored on the east wall -- Lute Olson '56, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Baskeball Hall of Fame and Devean George '99, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft. George's college No. 40 and Anderson's college No. 50 were retired in a ceremony in 2003.
With bleachers used on both sides, capacity for the gymnasium is approximately 2,200, about 2,500 with on-floor seating for events like commencement and concerts. If only one set of bleachers is needed, the capacity is about 1,200, with two courts available for event use. The two-court/one set of bleachers format is the style most used for tournament events at Augsburg, such as the Augsburg Invitational volleyball tournament and Auggie-Adidas Open wrestling tournament (five mats).
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 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 end of the Si Melby Hall lobby features the Athletic Hall of Fame area, featuring a seating area and kiosk. The Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1973 to recognize athletes who have made special contributions to the college's athletic history. 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.
The main section of the lobby features "One of Our Own" plaques honoring alumni Lute Olson '56, Ernie Anderson '37, Edor Nelson '38, Ed Saugestad '59, Lavonne Johnson Peterson '50 and Joyce Anderson Pfaff '65. There is also a display honoring NBA veteran and Augsburg alumnus Devean George '99. A classroom/meeting room, the main athletic department offices, and the football coaches' offices are also on the main level.
The lower level of Si Melby Hall features Augsburg's new athletic training/sports medicine facility, completed in 2019. The women's locker room area was renovated and updated in 2023, and features space for numerous Auggie women's sports teams. There is also a training room for Augsburg's men's and women's golf teams, the Donny Wichman '89 Weight Room, and offices for Augsburg coaches.
