NC State's first dairy barn stood behind Holladay Hall. Several more were added in 1909, where Reynolds Coliseum now stands.
Thompson Hall was dedicated as Thompson Gymnasium on this date. It was the first on-campus home dedicated to basketball. Previously, home basketball games had been played in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. The building was designed by architect Hobart Upjohn and named for alumnus Frank Martin Thompson. The NC State basketball team played there until Reynolds Coliseum opened in 1949.
Construction was interrupted for many years because of World War II. The building was named for businessman William Neal Reynolds.
The Raleigh city building inspector condemns Thompson Gymnasium just hours before a Mens Basketball game against Duke. Only a few reporters and college officials are allowed to attend the next home game, against High Point College. From then until the completion of Reynolds Coliseum in 1949, home games are played in Raleighs Memorial Auditorium.
Reynolds Coliseum opens, with the NC State Men's Basketball team beating Washington and Lee, 67-47. Not all of the seats had been installed yet, so some fans had to sit on the cement tiers.
Brief talks were given by Governor W. Kerr Scott, Gordon Gray, president of the Consolidated University, and Chancellor John William Harrelson. The Baccalaureate Sermon was given by Bishop W.W. Peele of Richmond, Virginia. This was the first commencement held in Reynolds Coliseum. Honorary degrees were awarded to Harry Reed, Dean of the School of Agriculture at Purdue University, Clyde Atkinson Erwin, State Superintendent of Public Instruction for North Carolina, John Flood Matheson, president of Mooresville Mills, Clyde Alvin Dillon, industrialist and benefactor of Raleigh, and Frank Porter Graham, first president of the consolidated University of North Carolina (now, UNC System).
A game in the 4th annual World Series of Basketball, featuring the 1953 All-Americans versus the Harlem Globetrotters, is played in Reynolds Coliseum.
The first Raleigh-Durham TV Fair concludes at Reynolds Coliseum. Stars appearing at the fair included Homer and Jethro of the Breakfast Club and Mrs. Hank Williams.
Jazz pioneer Louis Armstrong performs at Reynolds Coliseum.
Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy appears in Reynolds Coliseum before a crowd estimated at 8,000 persons. Kennedy sharply criticizes Vice President Nixon in his dealings with Khrushchev.
The Kingston Trio performs at Reynolds Coliseum.
Adlai Stevenson, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, delivers the first annual Harrelson Lecture at Reynolds Coliseum.
Governor Sanford gets booed after an NC State-Wake Forest basketball game in Reynolds Coliseum by students protesting the possible name change of the University from North Carolina State College to the University of North Carolina at Raleigh.
Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz performs at Reynolds Coliseum.
For the first time ever, an NC State football game is shown in Reynolds Coliseum via closed-circuit television.
President Lyndon Johnson made a campaign speech before an audience of 13,000 people in Reynolds Coliseum. The president warned that a victory for opponent Barry Goldwater would mean cuts in farm programs.
President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson are accompanied by UNC System President William Friday at a Democratic presidential campaign rally held in Reynolds Coliseum. More than 14,000 attend the rally, with hundreds more outside. The rally was part of Mrs. Johnsons whistle-stop tour through the South on the "Lady Bird Special."
The Rolling Stones perform at Reynolds Coliseum. The Stones are joined by Patti LaBelle for the show.
Two units of Queen Elizabeth II's Brigade of Guards (the Band of the Welsh Guards and the pipes, drums, and dancers of the Scots Guards) join forces for a "pageant" of music, marching, and dancing at Reynolds Coliseum.
The 5th Dimension perform at Reynolds Coliseum.
The Vienna Symphony perform in Reynolds Coliseum.
Alcohol is banned from Reynolds Coliseum.
Mr. Wuf and Ms. Wuf were married in a mock wedding ceremony by the Wake Forest Demon Deacon mascot during halftime of a Men's Basketball game at Reynolds Coliseum. The two were joined in "canis matrimonium," and Chancellor Joab Thomas gave the bride away.
President Reagan promoted tax reform during a speech in Reynolds Coliseum. Afterwards the president met with students, and Student Body President Jay Everette gained notoriety when he asked reporters to respect the students' time with the president.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama appeared before a crowd at Reynolds Coliseum shortly after defeating rivals in the Democratic presidential primaries.
President Barack Obama spoke before an audience in Reynolds Coliseum. During the speech he promoted the American Jobs Act.
