Michigan Stadium gets most of the attention in Ann Arbor, but sitting right next door is a building with plenty of history of its own.
Crisler Center has been the home of Michigan Basketball since 1967. Cazzie Russell helped make it necessary, Rudy Tomjanovich played in its first game, and generations of Wolverines have called it home ever since.
Here are 15 things you may not know about Crisler.
1. Before Crisler, Michigan basketball played at Yost
Long before Yost became Michigan Hockey’s famous home, the basketball team played there on a removable floor.
The Wolverines used Yost Field House until Crisler opened in 1967.
2. There’s a reason it’s called “The House That Cazzie Built”
Cazzie Russell helped take the program to another level. The Wolverines won three straight Big Ten titles from 1964-66 and reached the Final Four in 1964 and 1965. Michigan says the excitement surrounding Russell helped inspire athletic director Fritz Crisler to build a new arena. Russell graduated before he could ever play there, but “The House That Cazzie Built” stuck.
3. The original arena cost $7.2 million
Crisler was two years in the making and cost $7.2 million, which was some serious money for a college arena during that time. The building stands 107 feet tall and originally covered 97,260 square feet.
4. It wasn’t originally called Crisler Arena
The original name was the much less exciting “University Events Building.” Michigan’s historical records say it was renamed to Crisler in 1970.
5. Yes, it is named after a football coach
Herbert “Fritz” Crisler coached Michigan Football from 1938-47 and then spent decades leading the athletic department. His influence went far beyond football, including overseeing the creation of the new multipurpose arena that eventually carried his name.
6. One of Crisler’s former football players helped design it
Here’s another football connection — architect Dan Dworsky played linebacker at Michigan under Crisler’s leadership and was part of the undefeated 1947 national championship team. Years later, Dworsky helped design the arena named for his former coach. He was responsible for much of the design, preliminary drawings and material selection.
7. Michigan lost its first game there
The first game played at Crisler wasn’t exactly the perfect housewarming. Michigan hosted Kentucky on Dec. 2, 1967 for the first basketball game there. Adolph Rupp’s Wildcats spoiled the party with a 96-79 victory. Tomjanovich grabbed 27 rebounds that night, still a Crisler record.
8. The official dedication came months later
Even though games began in December, the arena wasn’t formally dedicated until Feb. 27, 1968. By then, Michigan had already spent nearly three months playing in its new home.
9. Crisler originally held more fans than it does today
The original capacity was 13,684. After decades of renovations and seating changes, today’s capacity is 12,707. That reduction came as Michigan added modern amenities, accessible seating and premium areas.
10. Michigan women’s basketball moved in during its first varsity season
The women’s program began playing at Crisler during its inaugural varsity season in 1973-74. Its first game there was on Feb. 4, 1974, with Western Michigan winning, 54-28. Apparently losing your Crisler debut is a Michigan basketball tradition.
11. Crisler has never been just a basketball arena
Volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics have all competed at Crisler, and it has also hosted concerts and plenty of other university events over the years. That helps explain its original “Events Building” name.
12. The Maize Rage helped change the seating
In 2001, Michigan installed several rows of bleachers on the east side specifically to accommodate the Maize Rage student section. Courtside seating was also added on the opposite side as part of the changes. To this day, the Maize Rage plays an integral role in creating a loud and eventful atmosphere at Crisler.
13. Michigan eventually poured $72 million into renovating it
By the early 2010s, Crisler needed a serious update. Michigan approved a $20 million first phase, followed by a $52 million second phase project. The overhaul included new seats, infrastructure, scoreboards, premium areas, entrances, concessions and restrooms.
14. And that didn’t include the new basketball practice facility
Michigan built the William Davidson Player Development Center for another $23.2 million right next door to the arena. The 57,000-square-foot facility gave the basketball programs their own practice courts, offices, meeting rooms, weight room, training space and locker rooms. The expanded complex helped turn Crisler Arena into what Michigan now calls Crisler Center.
15. More than 10 million fans have walked through the doors
Nearly six decades later, Crisler is still packing them in. Michigan surpassed 10 million all-time fans at Crisler during the 2024-25 season, and by Feb. 2026 the Wolverines had recorded 291 sellouts in the building’s history. That’s a pretty remarkable legacy for a building Russell never actually played in.
Russell actually returned when Michigan rededicated the renovated Crisler Center in 2013 and saw a wall celebrating “The House That Cazzie Built.” Nearly half a century after his success helped create the need for it, the building was still telling his story.
From Russell to Tomjanovich, Glen Rice and every generation since, Crisler has changed plenty since its grand opening. But after almost 60 years, it’s still home to Michigan’s basketball programs.
