University Auditorium (DePaul University)
{{short description|College auditorium/sports venue}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = University Auditorium
| nickname = The Barn
| image =
| location = 2219 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
| coordinates = {{Coord|41.923|-87.655|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = 1906
| opened = 1907
| renovated = 1920
| closed =
| demolished = 1979
| owner = DePaul University
| operator = DePaul University
| surface =
| construction_cost =
| architect = John Pridmore
| former_names =
| tenants = DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball (NCAA) (1923–1956)
| seating_capacity =
}}
University Auditorium or the College Theater Building and nicknamed "The Barn" was a multi-purpose arena and theater in Chicago on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus.{{cite web|url=https://depaulbluedemons.com/sports/2018/7/27/trads-a-to-z-html.aspx|title=DePaul Basketball A-to-Z|publisher=depaulbluedemons.com|access-date=April 29, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.depaul.edu/about/history-and-timeline/Pages/default.aspx|title=The Barn|publisher=depaul.edu|access-date=April 29, 2019}}
History
Construction of University Auditorium began in 1906 and was completed in 1907.{{cite web|url=http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/ref/collection/dpubuilding/id/316|title=DePaul University Auditorium; College Theatre|publisher=digicol.lib.depaul.edu|access-date=April 29, 2019}} During World War I, the facility served as barracks for the Student Army Training Corps.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/before-the-bars/2010/08/the-barn-at-depaul-university.html|title="The Barn" at DePaul University|publisher=chicagonow.com|access-date=April 29, 2019}} In 1920, the venue was remodeled into a gymnasium{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/dpulibraryimages/15603645737|title="The Barn", also known as DePaul University Auditorium|date=January 1918 |publisher=flickr.com|access-date=April 29, 2019}} and the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team first played in the facility in 1923. The team played in University Auditorium until 1956 with the team's last game being a 91-77 victory versus Lewis University on February 21, 1956. The Blue Demons had their longest home-court winning streak in school history with 81-straight wins at "The Barn". University Auditorium was replaced by Alumni Hall as the home venue of the men's basketball team on December 16, 1956. The venue caught fire in 1967 and was demolished in 1979.{{cite web|title=Then and now: Chicago's lost sports venues|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-chicago-lost-sports-venues-htmlstory.html|publisher=chicagotribune.com|access-date=April 29, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://news.library.depaul.press/full-text/2009/04/08/bygone-depaul-the-college-theater/|title=DePaul University Auditorium; College Theatre|date=8 April 2009 |publisher=library.depaul.press|access-date=April 29, 2019}} The Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center is now located on the site of University Auditorium.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball navbox}}
{{DePaul University}}
Category:Defunct college basketball venues in the United States
Category:Defunct indoor arenas in Illinois
Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Chicago
Category:Demolished sports venues in Illinois
Category:DePaul Blue Demons basketball venues
Category:Sports venues completed in 1907
Category:Sports venues demolished in 1979
Category:1967 fires in the United States
Category:1907 establishments in Illinois