Groundbreaking set for Naismith rules building

Kansas University officials recently announced May 2 as the groundbreaking ceremony for the DeBruce Center, which will become the permanent home of James Naismith's original Rules

Kansas University will conduct a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new 32,000-square-foot DeBruce Center at 11:30 a.m. May 2, at the northeast corner of Allen Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public.

The DeBruce Center will become the permanent home of James Naismith’s original “Rules of Basket Ball,” which will be flanked by exhibits on Naismith and KU coaching legend Forrest “Phog” Allen.

The building will also consist of a 320-seat student activity center, which will include retail dining, cafe seating, a new training table setting for both the KU men’s and women’s basketball teams and a catered event space.

The center, a result of a gift from KU alumni Paul and Katherine DeBruce, of Mission Hills, is connected to Allen Fieldhouse through the second-floor concourse.