PLNU Athletics

Originally built in 1962, by the Golden Construction Company to be used as a hockey arena, Golden Gymnasium has been the home to the Point Loma men’s and women’s basketball, and the volleyball team, since moving to this location from Pasadena in 1972.

During the nearly 40 years of use, some of the most memorable events in the history of Point Loma Athletics have occurred within the walls of Golden Gym. The venue hosts the school’s annual Homecoming basketball games, which see many alumni return to campus, as they cap off the weekend of festivities with a pair of basketball games. The event will regularly sell-out with standing-room only being available at tip-off in this 1,750-capacity stadium. 

Because of its unique design, Golden Gym had the opportunity to host multiple NAIA National Volleyball Championships (1992,1993, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003). With the ability to utilize three court simultaneously, and its view overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gym was a favorite site for both the student-athletes, fans and NAIA officials. Matches were played from early morning until the late evening.

In 2019, and then again in 2023, Point Loma had the opportunity to host the NCAA Men’s Basketball Division II West Regional. The Sea Lions defended their home court as the No. 1 seed, defeating three different opponents in front of sold-out crowds. The fans packed the arena the first night clad in all white, followed by a black-out before sporting their Green & Gold attire and watching PLNU win the school’s first regional championship, on the floor of Golden Gymnasium. 

Golden Gymnasium also has been the site for the Civil Rights Movement as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech to the radically and socially diverse audience a crowd of 5,000 people on May 29, 1964. His call was to “remain awake” through “this great revolution.”