Increasing demand for both educational and recreational sports facilities spurred the decision in the late 1990s to build a new student center. The $17-million facility south of Watkins Memorial Health Center, funded by student fees, was dedicated Sept. 25, 2003.

In December 2007, it was named in honor of David A. Ambler, the longtime vice chancellor for student affairs who was a strong advocate for a new recreation fitness center.

The fieldhouse, which opened March 1, 1955, is named for Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, the notable KU basketball coach who played for and was trained by James Naismith, the game's founder, a longtime KU professor of physical culture and its first basketball coach.

The fieldhouse and its basketball court, named for Naismith, superseded the facilities at the original Robinson Gymnasium, built in 1907 and razed in the late 1960s; and Hoch Auditorium, where games were played from 1927 to 1955. Like those venues, the fieldhouse also has been the site of concerts and university functions.

This scholarship hall was the first men’s residence hall built at the university. It was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse R. Battenfeld of Kansas City in memory of their son John Curry Battenfeld, killed in a car accident in December 1939.

Designed by Morton Payne and Russell Field of Kansas City, the three-story Georgian brick building opened in September 1940.

Named for Gene A. Budig, chancellor 1981-94, and dedicated Oct. 31, 1997, Budig Hall/Hoch Auditoria has three multimedia lecture halls, or auditoria, one seating 1,000 and two seating 500; the central one is named for noted chemistry professor Clark Bricker (1963-83). The building also has four large classrooms, testing commons, and a 125-station computer lab.