The construction of the Firestone Fieldhouse began in March 1972. The building, which would host Pepperdine's basketball and volleyball teams, was largely sponsored by Leonard K. Firestone of Firestone Tires. The fieldhouse was the first part of an athletic village, ultimately to include a pool, tennis courts, a baseball field, and a track.¹

Originally, builders aimed to have the fieldhouse ready in time for the 1972-1973 basketball season, but it wasn't finished until October 1973.² Because Firestone was on an ambassadorial appointment to Belgium, the dedication of the facility was delayed until September 20, 1975, when president Gerald Ford drew to campus the largest crowd ever to assemble in Malibu.³