Lavietes Pavilion

Lavietes Pavilion is Harvard's refurbished and rededicated arena for men's and women's basketball . The Ray '36 and Estelle Lavietes Pavilion, formerly called the Briggs Athletic Center stands among the most historic venues in the sport. The facility underwent multiphase renovation in recent years, completing its transformation prior to the 2017-18 season. Among the changes was naming the playing floor the Thomas G. Stemberg '71 Court. First opened in 1926, it stands as the second-oldest building used for basketball among Division I schools. Only Fordham's Rose Hill Gymnasium (1924) is older. The facility honors both Ray Lavietes '36 and LeBaron Russell Briggs. Lavietes, a two-year letterman for the basketball team, has long supported Harvard and its athletic program, and his generosity inspired a $2.1 million refurbishing project that was completed prior to the 1995-96 season. The result was a new lobby with trophy cases and indoor ticket windows; new locker rooms, team rooms, and coaching offices for both the men and the women; an on-site training room; a beautiful second-floor lounge that overlooks the court and the Charles River; and a media room. To request use of the Lavietes Lounge, please download the Facility Request Form and return it to: Harvard Athletic Dept, Athletic Operations, 65 N. Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02163 two weeks prior to the event date requested. Lavietes Pavilion has a seating capacity of 1,636. The first Harvard basketball game played there was a women's contest against the University of Chicago on November 26, 1982, as part of the Harvard Invitational. The men played their first game at Lavietes the following day, facing M.I.T. and defeating the Engineers by an 83-58 count.