Memorial Coliseum's construction process was large scale, unique and amazing. It was an unprecedented engineering and construction marvel in the United States.

Four massive columns were constructed first, enormous steel beams over the columns, and then a roof, the size of almost 4 city blocks.

The finished roof then served as an umbrella so the rest of the construction could take place protected from rain. The curving concrete seating bowl and arena were created, and finally the massive exterior glass walls, supported by large timber glulam beams from Oregon.