Then and Now

Humphrey Coliseum

Nestled between Dudy Noble Field and Davis Wade Stadium, Humphrey Coliseum has been a true campus icon for nearly half a century. Named in honor of former MSU President George Duke Humphrey and affectionately called “The Hump,” it has been home to Mississippi State’s men’s and women’s basketball teams since its first season in 1975-76. The 80,000-square-foot venue was originally constructed from 450,000 red Mississippi-made bricks and stands the equivalent of a seven-story building, making it the largest on-campus basketball arena in the state. In addition to basketball, the arena is a popular venue for concerts, graduation ceremonies and other events. Its stage has hosted icons like Tina Turner, Garth Brooks and Bob Hope over the years. In 2020, The Hump served as a classroom setting to ensure successful, physically distanced-learning experiences amid the COVID-19 outbreak. While the facility has undergone many modifications during recent years, the upcoming renovation plans to modernize The Hump with an expanded concourse, premium seating, grand lobbies and more will ensure its rank as one of the finest multipurpose facilities in the Southeastern Conference.