It’s loud. Not just "crowd noise" loud, but the kind of loud that makes your teeth vibrate in the back of your skull. If you’ve ever stepped into the Pete Maravich Assembly Center during a top-tier LSU gymnastics meet or a heated SEC basketball game, you know exactly what I’m talking about. People in Baton Rouge just call it "The PMAC." It’s an architectural relic from the early 1970s that looks a bit like a concrete UFO landed right next to Tiger Stadium, and honestly, it’s one of the most underrated venues in college sports.
The building officially opened its doors in 1972. Back then, it was just the LSU Assembly Center. It wasn't until 1988, after the tragic passing of the legendary "Pistol" Pete Maravich, that the university slapped his name on it. Maravich never actually played a game in the building that bears his name—he played his home games at the old John M. Parker Agricultural Center, affectionately known as the "Cow Palace." There’s a bit of irony there. The man who basically built the brand of LSU basketball never got to shoot a jumper on the PMAC floor, yet his shadow looms over every square inch of the place.
The House That Pistol Pete Built (Sort Of)
Walking up to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, the first thing you notice is the scale. It sits 13,215 people. That’s a lot of Cajuns screaming at a referee. The roof is this massive, white domed structure supported by external pillars, a design choice that screams 1970s brutalism but somehow stays timeless. Inside, it’s a bowl. There are no bad seats, really. Even if you're stuck in the nosebleeds, you’re looking straight down onto the court.
LSU fans are different. They don't just sit; they hover.
The atmosphere changed when Kim Mulkey showed up. Let’s be real—for a few years there, the PMAC was getting a little dusty. The men’s team had some flashes under Will Wade, but it was the arrival of Mulkey and the absolute explosion of Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson that turned this building back into a fortress. In 2023 and 2024, getting a ticket to a women's basketball game was harder than finding a parking spot on Highland Road during a football Saturday.
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The Versatility of the PMAC: It’s Not Just Basketball
Most people think of hoops when they hear "Pete Maravich Assembly Center," but that’s a narrow view. This place is the headquarters for LSU Volleyball and, perhaps most importantly, LSU Gymnastics. If you haven't seen a "Friday Night Heights" meet here, you're missing out on the peak PMAC experience.
Jay Clark’s gymnastics program pulls in crowds that would make most NBA teams jealous. We’re talking 10,000-plus people showing up to watch floor routines. The acoustics of the dome work in favor of the home team. When the crowd starts that "L-S-U" chant, the sound bounces off the ceiling and traps the noise on the floor. It’s intimidating. Visiting teams often look a bit dazed when they first walk out of the tunnel.
The building has seen some history outside of sports, too. Elvis Presley played here in 1974. Think about that. The King of Rock 'n' Roll was shaking his hips on the same floor where Shaquille O’Neal would later drop 50 points. It’s hosted graduation ceremonies, massive concerts, and even served as a triage center during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It is a community hub in the truest sense.
Why the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Faces an Uncertain Future
Is it perfect? No. Far from it.
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If you talk to any long-time season ticket holder, they’ll tell you about the concourses. They’re narrow. They get cramped. The bathrooms feel like they haven't been updated since the Ford administration. There’s been a lot of talk lately—real, high-level talk—about whether LSU needs a brand-new arena or a massive $100 million renovation of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Athletic Director Scott Woodward has a tough choice. You can't just tear down history. You can't manufacture the "soul" that a building gets after fifty years of buzzer-beaters and standing ovations. But in the modern SEC, where schools like Alabama and Texas are constantly upgrading to luxury-heavy, high-tech arenas, the PMAC is starting to show its age. The lighting is okay, but not "TV-spectacular." The locker rooms have been polished up, but the bones of the building are old.
The Experience: What to Expect When You Go
If you’re planning a trip to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, don't just roll up at tip-off.
- The Statue: You have to see the Pete Maravich statue outside. It was unveiled in 2022. It captures him in his iconic jersey, floppy socks, and that signature "behind-the-back" pass. It’s a pilgrimage site for basketball purists.
- The Mike the Tiger Factor: The live tiger habitat is literally right across the street. Go say hi to Mike VII before you head inside. It’s a weirdly awesome pre-game ritual.
- The Food: Standard stadium fare, but if you’re lucky, you can find some decent jambalaya nearby.
- The Noise: Bring earplugs if you’re sensitive. Seriously.
The seating is divided into the Lower Level and the Upper Level. The student section, often called the "P-MAC Maniacs," occupies the ends and they are relentless. They’ve been known to get into the heads of some of the best players in the country. Just ask anyone who played against the 2006 Final Four team or the recent Mulkey squads.
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Technical Specs and Capacity
For the geeks who care about the numbers, here’s the breakdown. The building sits on the site of the old parade grounds. The floor space is massive—about 30,000 square feet. It’s not just a court; it’s a multi-purpose powerhouse. When they transition from a basketball game on a Thursday to a gymnastics meet on a Friday, the grounds crew works like a NASCAR pit crew. They have to move tons of equipment, roll out the mats, and recalibrate the lighting in a matter of hours.
The capacity has fluctuated over the years. It used to hold over 14,000, but they traded some seats for "quality of life" upgrades and ADA compliance. Today, 13,215 is the magic number. When that many people are in there, the oxygen level feels like it drops five percent. It’s hot, it’s loud, and it’s beautiful.
The Legends of the Hardwood
You can't talk about the Pete Maravich Assembly Center without mentioning the names on the wall. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (formerly Chris Jackson) did things on that court that didn't seem physically possible. Shaq transformed the PMAC into "Shaq-a-da-mus" central. More recently, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles turned the building into the epicenter of the women's basketball world.
It’s a place where legacies are cemented. Every time a player looks up at the retired jerseys hanging from the rafters, they aren't just looking at names; they're looking at the standard. The PMAC demands a certain level of "swagger." You don't play for LSU if you want a quiet, polite atmosphere.
Final Thoughts on the PMAC
The Pete Maravich Assembly Center is a survivor. It has survived coaching changes, NCAA investigations, literal hurricanes, and the changing tides of what a "modern" arena should be. It remains the heartbeat of LSU's indoor sports. Whether you’re there for a 10.0 vault or a game-winning trey, the energy is undeniable.
It's a "glue" building. It holds the campus together during those winter months when football is over and the humidity of a Louisiana spring hasn't quite settled in yet. It’s concrete, it’s loud, and it’s home.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Check the Schedule: If you want the most "electric" experience, try to catch a "Gold Out" game or a SEC rivalry match (LSU vs. Arkansas or LSU vs. South Carolina women).
- Parking Hack: Don't try to park right next to the PMAC. Use the lots near the Natatorium or the credit union and enjoy the walk past Tiger Stadium. It’s worth the extra five minutes of cardio.
- Apparel: Wear purple. Or gold. Just don't wear red or orange. You’ll stand out for all the wrong reasons.
- Digital Prep: Download the LSU Sports app before you go. Signal inside the concrete dome can be spotty at best when 13,000 people are trying to post to TikTok at the same time.
- Stay Late: If it's a win, stay for the "Alma Mater." Hearing the band play it inside that dome is a core memory for any Tiger fan.