Made from Wisconsin Lannon stone,[3] construction of the building took place between March, 1930 and January, 1931 on land owned by the university.

The facility covered more than an acre of ground, utilized a dirt floor and seated only 2,000 spectators around an elevated wooden basketball court.

Some famous people that spoke in the Field House included politicians Barry M. Goldwater as well as President Richard Nixon.

In 2006, however, facing a burst in student enrollment, an expansion of program offerings, and concern about future space needs, the university commissioned a major overhaul that, three years later, recast the 134,200 square foot gymnasium into a learning environment housing classrooms, teaching labs, faculty offices, and space for future growth.

Construction began in July, 2007, with the demolition of the old interior and extensive cleanup effort on the exterior brickwork commencing in December.