The Boilermaker volleyball team has called Holloway Gymnasium, formerly the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility, home since it was built in 1982. The facility was renamed in honor of Bob Holloway, a 1948 alumnus who committed $2 million to the Mackey Complex project.
Located between Mackey Arena and the Mollenkopf Athletic Center, the facility has received numerous improvements over the years, none so drastic as the renovation it underwent during the summer of 2006. As part of a $750,000 renovation, the original playing surface was removed and replaced with a playing floor specifically designed for volleyball. The shock-absorbing court is named Belin Court in honor of the Belin family which gave the lead gift toward the renovations.
In addition to the new floor, the installation of new bleachers, including a number of seat-back chairs, increased the seating capacity from 1,696 to 2,288. New scoreboards, team banners and other aesthetic changes also were included in the renovation.
"We think that Belin Court in Holloway Gymnasium is as nice as any volleyball venue in the country," head coach Dave Shondell said. "The floor is softer and designed to absorb the shock as players jump and land on the court as often as you do in volleyball. The new bleachers allow 600 more fans the opportunity to experience Boilermaker volleyball. New scoreboards and banners also provide an appearance our fans can appreciate. We are excited about it and we certainly thank the Belins for their generous gift."
A shining example of Purdue's recognition of and commitment to its intercollegiate volleyball program, Holloway Gymnasium provides the Boilermakers with their own practice and playing area. The original court was the first one in the country to be fully painted and lined for volleyball only, unobstructed by a basketball court.
Since its initial completion in 1982, Holloway Gymnasium has been updated many times. New scoreboards were added in 1995. In 1997, the main playing surface was redesigned. In 1998, permanent bleachers were installed on the east side of the court, and wheelchair seating was incorporated.
The Boilermakers have made Holloway Gymnasium a definite home-court advantage, winning 66 percent of their matches in the building through the 2017 season (357-186 record).
Purdue showed off its facility to a national audience Sept. 29, 2006, with a five-set win over Ohio State that aired on ESPN2, and also played host to the first and second rounds of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The Boilermakers played host to the NCAA first and second rounds in 2008, 2010 and 2011, as well.
The program had previously hosted the 1982 and 1983 NCAA Mideast regionals and first-round NCAA Tournament matches in 1981 and 1987. (The 1981 NCAA match was held at Mackey Arena, while the 1982 and 1983 events were played in the then-named Multi-Purpose Athletic Facility.)
As part of the Mackey Complex project, a volleyball locker suite, featuring a living/study room and film breakdown area, and volleyball coaches' locker room were added in the summer of 2012. The 5,350-square foot Brees Academic Performance Center occupies the entire second floor of the building, which was named in honor of former Purdue football player Drew Brees and his family in 2011.