Considerable attention is being given to an addition planned for the east side of Allen Fieldhouse. Recent stories have reported that Kansas University officials plan to move ahead on the project sooner than expected and have it completed by the start of the 2005-06 basketball season.

The building is to be named in honor of former Lawrence residents, Gilbert and Betty Booth and their family. A generous gift from the Booth children, Mark, David and Jane, made it possible to start construction of the “Booth Family Hall of Athletics” sooner than had been expected.

Lost or neglected in the various stories from KU about the structure is the fact that the original idea for the building came from former KU basketball great Bill Hougland, a Lawrence resident. He believed there was a need for a facility to house the tremendous collection that honors the history of KU athletics. He got the K-Club, an organization of varsity letter recipients, to endorse the idea of a hall of fame, and, five years ago, started a campaign to raise the necessary funds. Hougland had the assistance of Scott McMichael, who was with the KU Athletic Department at the time and worked closely with the K-Club.

Members of the Booth family have been generous in their financial support for the project, and it would not be scheduled for construction so soon without their generosity. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the vision, impetus and early work to build a facility to house the great history of KU basketball and other sports, as well as a lounge and meeting rooms, came from the unassuming two-time Olympic gold medal basketball player and successful businessman, Bill Hougland.