View source for Francis S. Levien Gymnasium

[[Image:Levien.jpg|thumb|240px|Francis S. Levien Gymnasium]]
The '''Francis S. Levien Gymnasium''', sometimes referred to as "The Levien Underground" by [[WKCR]] sportscasters, opened at the start of the [[1974]] season, replacing the [[University Gym]], which continues to serve as an intramural facility. Levien draws a loud crowd in support of [[Men's Basketball]]. [[Women's Basketball]] and [[Volleyball]] games tend not to draw as large a crowd.

The gym is open for recreational basketball and other sports during times that it isn't scheduled for games, practices, classes, or other events.

The west bleachers features the [[Lion's Den]] student section.

Levien Gym is the site of the annual [[Basketball Mania]] season kick-off event.

In the summer of 2002, a brand new state-of-the-art floor was built that provides better spring and cushion for Columbia's student-athletes. The project, a cooperative effort between Columbia University's [[Facilities|Department of Facility Management]] and its department of physical education and intercollegiate athletics, cost nearly $1 million. The improvements include a custom floor created by J.J. Curran of Connor Flooring Systems. The custom floor features 1.5-inch boards, different from the normal 2.25-inch boards. The thinner, more tightly-packed boards provide more stability for the surface.

Levien Gym also underwent a major upgrade over the summer of [[2004]] to improve its seating and now offers chairback seats in addition to bleacher-style seating.  

=External Links=
[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cuathletics/recreation_facility/Levien_current.htm?DB_OEM_ID=9600 Levien Gym Schedule for the current week]

[[Category:Athletics facilities]]
[[Category:Morningside Heights campus]]
[[Category:Gyms]]