Booth Family Hall of Athletics, Lawrence

The Booth Family Hall of Athletics is a 19,335-square-foot museum adjacent to the east side of Allen Fieldhouse. This facility opened in January 2006 and was expanded in 2009 and 2015. It is open year-round, allowing Jayhawk fans everywhere to experience the history and tradition of Kansas Athletics. The Hall celebrates and preserves the history and traditions of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Kansas.

The original Hall was made possible through more than $5 million in gifts from the children and grandchildren of the late Gilbert and Betty Booth, longtime Jayhawk fans and Lawrence residents. Betty and Gilbert raised three children: Jane, David and Mark -- in Garnett, Kansas. As the two oldest children reached high school, their parents looked to their future. Wanting them to have the opportunity to attend the University of Kansas, but knowing they could not finance lodging as well as tuition, they made a tremendous sacrifice. Leaving their long-time community connections, the Booths moved their family to Lawrence.

The family lived at 1931 Naismith Drive, just down the street from Allen Fieldhouse. Soon, Betty and Gilbert Booth developed new bonds. Kansas Athletics represented more than sporting events; it became a way of life. The Booths were proud holders of two season tickets to Allen Fieldhouse, and walks through the winter night from home to Allen Fieldhouse were treasured rituals. Sometimes the parents went together, other times parent and child, but family members were always there to cheer their beloved Jayhawks.

Booth family members who pledged their support to the Hall are David and Suzanne Booth of Los Angeles, and their children, Erin and Chandler; Mark and Lauren Bacich Booth of London, and their children, Miles, Coco and Cyrus; Mark and Jane Booth Berkley of Tescott, Kan., and their children and spouses, Stuart and Tina Berkley, Elizabeth Berkley, and Melissa and Marco Ungaschik.

In 2009, the Hall of Athletics took on a new look as part of a $7.9 million renovation to Allen Fieldhouse. This expansion opened up the east side of the concourse and added several interactive exhibits, a basketball championship trophy case, a new reception desk and allowed space to rearrange the existing exhibits, allowing for better traffic flow. The flooring in the new area is terrazzo, matching the existing Hall of Athletics, and new accent lighting was provided in the exhibit area. A new door system was added to allow better control and definition of the Hall of Athletics on non-game days.

Plan your visit to Booth Family Hall of Athletics and a wealth of other attractions, well-known and undiscovered, using our Lawrence online day trip planner.
Source