Hofheinz Pavilion

I was at the Hofheinz Pavilion for a UH graduation ceremony last Saturday.
The facility was nice, easy access and clean.
The staff seemed to be bothered by having to work this event. Not many smiles and I witnessed some downright rude behavior toward people in attendance.
Come on people, if you hate your job that much, QUIT!
The people in attendance are there to celebrate their friends and loved ones academic accomplishments. It is a great day for them. Pretty petty and selfish to put a damper on that experience just because you are having to work on a Saturday or whatever lame excuse you try to justify your actions with!!!

Not a bad seat in the arena. Parking for $ 10 in the garage across the street. All seats had chairbacks and arms, it was so comfortable and enjoyable to watch. Sadly, I attended the UH vs Rice game and attendance was absolutely sparse. Not the kind of live experience I would have expected for two teams in the same city. There were so few students in attendance. Food selection was marginal, no real healthy choices, mostly empty calories served.

I don’t think most people who visit here understand the historical significance it has for Houston and its namesake university. Firstly, this was the same venue that hosted Houston’s Phi Slama Jama teams that included Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Young, and Clyde Drexler.
Before Toyota Center, even before the Summit/​Compaq Center, Houston had Hofheinz Pavilion. This was the original home of the Houston Rockets when they moved here. It hosted live acts such as Elton John, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, The Jackson 5, Madonna, Genesis, Prince, and Bob Dylan to name few.
Yes, this place is a bit dated looking, but it most definitely looks nothing like a high school arena. Hofheinz Pavilion seats about 8,500 spectators, has multiple video screens, etc. The University of Houston has announced $ 40 million in upgrades, and already blows all other basketball arenas in the Houston area away minus the Toyota Center and Reliant Arena. This place is underrated.

Ok so I am mainly reviewing this place based on going to a few High School graduations there this season. The facility itself is pretty dated and really not great to look at. Reminds me of an OLD High school facility. It did serve it’s purpose but since they do multiple graduations each day they herd everyone out one set of doors. They do this because the other doors have people waiting to get inside for the next graduation. It took like 30 minutes to get outside. We were like shuffling slow zombies and the smell only added to that thought. Then parking is a nightmare to get out of. That was another good 45 minutes to get out of. I literally spent more time trying to leave than I did at the actual ceremony. So here is a tip if you are going for a graduation. Sit at the doors as far away from the ones you entered by.