Starting in 1905, Columbia Coliseum became the site of an annual statewide track and field event hosted by the university.

At 24,500 square feet (2,280 m2), Columbia Coliseum was the largest sports venue in Oregon (and possibly the Pacific Northwest) when it opened in 1903.

[1] In 1927, Columbia University again commissioned Joseph Jacobberger (now partnered with Alfred Smith) to design a new gymnasium for the school which became Howard Hall.

Ten times around this monster gymnasium makes a mile and a baseball match can be comfortably played inside with plenty of room for the fielders to get all the ball chasing they want.

Containing a high arched roof that does away with supportive pillars, the interior is clear of obstacles and affords a free, unobstructed ground room convertible into an immense playground during the rainy season.

[15] The coliseum was closed temporarily in 1916 due to significant damage to the structure after snow had built-up on the ceiling, causing part of it to cave in.