The Don Dome has been a (con)vexing venue to play for visiting teams since the 1950s.
The Don Dome is a reverse dome, or convex, meaning instead of rising higher in the middle its lowest point is at the center of the gym. Notre Dame High School’s Don Dome, in Niles, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
One of the biggest criteria for a gym to make the “Best High School Gyms” list is they need to be built primarily for watching and playing the sport of basketball. The Don Dome, with its cement seating area and above court concession area makes it a great venue to see and play the game.
The bleachers aren’t retracting anytime soon. Notre Dame High School’s Don Dome, in Niles. Featuring an Illinois varsity high school IHSA boys Class 3A Regional playoff game between the Bulldogs of Senn from Chicago and the Dons of Notre Dame from Niles, at Notre Dame, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
Old wooden benches and cement stairs tell you this venue was built for watching the game and not just another multi-sport facility. Notre Dame High School’s Don Dome, in Niles, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
The student section for Notre Dame is know as the “Bull Pen,” part of the photo series Illinois’ Best High School Gyms; Notre Dame High School’s Don Dome, in Niles, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)Notre Dame High School’s Don Dome, in Niles, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson) Notre Dame High School’s Don Dome, in Niles, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022.The Notre Dame players and cheerleaders stand during the National Anthem on Jan. 9, 2024. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
