Demolition began today on one of the longest standing buildings on Fairfield University's campus.

Alumni Hall was built in 1959 and was home to many Fairfield U and Prep basketball games and volleyball games.

The building has been standing for more than 60 years thanks in part to John Phelan, a field engineer who worked with his father, who was an architect.

Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep runs deep in Phelan's family. The building was the home of many basketball games and stories for his kids and grandsons over the years.

A new building will replace Alumni Hall and officials say it's going to be bigger, complete with 3,500 game-dayseats and 4,000 seats for events.

Fairfield Prep and Fairfield U basketball and volleyball teams will play at the building.

David Frassinelli, the vice president for facilities at Fairfield University, says the new convocation center raises the bar for events on campus.

"Fairfield has put a priority on improving the quality of what we have, the overall experience," Frassinelli says.

Wally Halas is the vice president for University Advancement at Fairfield University, but in 1969 the senior point guard helped bring his Fairfield team to state championships.

Alumni Hall was his home court.

"It's bittersweet for me because of the great memories we had at Prep," Halas says.

Frassinelli is excited for the future of the space, while still cherishing the rich history of the building since 1959.

"The buildings are less important than the memories made and the people who built it and created these buildings," Frassinelli says.

The building is expected to be finished in November of 2022.

Games will be played at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport until it's done.