Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is a famous sports venue located on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The building was designed by the architect Eggers & Higgins, and its unique design includes a massive roof that is supported by cables connected to four steel masts. The seating capacity of the stadium is a whopping 17,222, and it is currently used as the home court for the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team. Over the years, many notable events have taken place at Assembly Hall, including concerts by popular musicians like Bob Dylan and Elton John. It has also hosted important political events, including presidential debates and speeches by influential politicians. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall was used as the inspiration for the iconic spaceship in the classic sci-fi movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Steven Spielberg, the director of the film, saw the stadium on a visit to Indiana University and was struck by its distinctive shape. Visitors can attend Indiana Hoosiers basketball games and other events, or take a guided tour of the facility to learn more about its unique history and design.