Budig Hall, University of Kansas

Dedicated October 31, 1997, Budig Hall contains three large lecture halls, several classrooms, and a computer lab. Budig Hall is located on the former site of Hoch Auditorium which hosted large events and was home to the University of Kansas men’s basketball team from 1928-1955. On June 15, 1991 a lightning bolt struck Hoch’s roof and the building was set aflame. All that survived of Hoch Auditorium was its front facade, which was incorporated into Budig Hall when the building was reconstructed thanks in part to $18 million from the state legislature. The building's name honors Chancellor Gene Budig who was supported the building’s reconstruction. The building offers a fusion of old and new and is a tangible metaphor for the resilience of the University of Kansas following tragedy.

The centrality of basketball to the University of Kansas community has deep roots. As the team grew in popularity during the 1920s, the Jayhawk fan base soon outgrew Robinson Gymnasium, where games had been held since 1907. The University spent around $350,000 on Hoch Auditorium, which was designed to serve as home court, event venue, and lecture hall. Hoch was completed in 1927 under the name University Auditorium, then two years later renamed Hoch Auditorium after former Kansas Governor and Board of Regents member Edward W. Hoch.

Concerns about the flammability of Hoch Auditorium were present since its beginning. Prior to the building’s dedication, the state’s fire inspector quelled fears about a potential blaze by assuring that the Auditorium’s height would prevent total structural inflammation (this point was negated three years later with the addition of large wooden supports for the roof). Several other issues increased the risk of fire at Hoch, including the highly flammable curtains and the usage of Celotex to enhance acoustics. The federal government banned the usage of Celotex in construction in 1970 due to its high flammability. The University meant to address concerns about Hoch’s weakness to fire with the addition of lightning rods to the roof, but days before the scheduled improvements could begin, lightning struck and Hoch caught ablaze.

Hoch’s history is not be limited to its destruction. For many years the building was a popular location for student life, as many activities were held at the Auditorium. From 1928-55 the KU basketball team played at Hoch, and for 40 years it hosted the Rock Chalk Revue. The Revue invited famous names in music, politics, and entertainment to delight Kansas crowds. The list of those who performed includes John F. Kennedy, Bob Marley, and Steve Martin. According to KU alumni, on the day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination Bill Cosby was performing at Hoch Auditoria and stopped his act early upon being informed of the tragedy.

"Budig Hall/Hoch Auditoria", Historic Mount Oread, http://www.jayhawks.com/hmof/landmarks/budig.shtml

“Budig Hall/Hoch Auditoria.” KU Directory of Places, https://places.ku.edu/buildings/budig-hallhoch-auditoria

Heacock, Megan. 2010. “The changing face of KU's home-court | News | kansan.com.” The University Daily Kansan, March 12, 2010. https://www.kansan.com/news/the-changing-face-of-kus-home-court/article_44b326d8-96fc-5f02-8374-31f09cdc6869.html.

McCool, John H. n.d. “Fahrenheit 53,000” KU Memorial Union. Accessed July 17, 2023.