With Cal Poly officials looking for a larger alternative to the previously used Crandall Gym on campus, construction for the new multi-purpose arena was well underway by April 1959.

Following an elevation to Division I of the NCAA, the Cal Poly men's basketball team saw its attendance jump from an average of 926 fans in 1994-95 to 2,901 spectators by 1996-97, coinciding with season ticket sales skyrocketing from 36 in 1995-96 to 1,140 by 1997-98, prompting designs for a $1.2 million renovation to the building's seating.

The seating was completely redone and arena-style chairbacks were added to Mott Athletics Center in addition to upgraded heating and ventilation systems.

Mott Athletics Center underwent another significant renovation in the summer of 2014, including a repainted court design, the addition of two new 22-by-17-foot (6.7 by 5.2 m) Daktronics video boards and the implementation of new LED-advertising courtside panels.

[9] Musicians including Miles Davis,[26] Eddie Money,[27] The Pretenders,[28] The Doors,[29] Kenny Loggins,[30] Cheap Trick,[31] Rage Against the Machine and Public Enemy[32] performed in the arena from the late 1960s to early 1990s, often to capacity crowds of 3,000.