Osborne Hall, built in 1960, is the on-campus site for all home Pioneer basketball and volleyball games. The gym floor was completely replaced in 2005 with entire new sub flooring and all new maple flooring. In 2012, the floor was re-surfaced and a new paint scheme was added, incorporating the NCAA logo. The size of the facility (seating for approximately 1200) makes for a great game atmosphere, especially when filled to near capacity.
The original moderately sized locker rooms, located on the east and west side of the building, were updated in the late 1990’s with new lockers and seating. A new, larger locker room (three times the size of the other two) was added in the late 1990’s on to the north side of the building. The football team uses this locker room (primarily in the fall) but by the start of basketball season, it is available for Malone teams, opponents and officials.
On October 10th, 2009, Malone officially named the basketball court in Osborne Hall after its former and long-time men’s basketball head coach Hal Smith. The unveiling of “Hal Smith Court”, complete with his signature roughly one foot by seven feet in size just on the court in front of the team bench area, took place at the Hal and Barbara Smith Recognition Dinner. The event, which was held during Malone’s 2009 Homecoming weekend, honored Hal and his wife for their 25 years of service to Malone.
The winningest basketball coach in Malone's history, Smith posted a record of 485-324 (.600) in 25 seasons at the university and his 485 Malone wins is more than all other Pioneer men's basketball coaches victories combined. In 35 seasons as a collegiate head coach, he amassed a 659-472 (.583) record. In 2005, he became just the 49th collegiate head men’s basketball coach (at all levels at the time) to reach 600 wins. Smith led the Pioneers to 22 winning seasons in his 25 years at the helm, as well as directing the Pioneers to the NAIA national tournament twice. In addition, he led Malone to the NCCAA Division I National Championship in 1996.
Malone Athletics Director Charlie Grimes, who took over for Smith as AD in July of 2008, spearheaded the idea of naming the court after Smith. “Coach Hal Smith left an extremely positive mark on our department and in all our hearts. It is only fitting that we permanently recognize his legacy by naming the court in his honor. He and Barbara are strong people of deep faith and their legacy here at Malone University will never be forgotten”.
