Robinson Gymnasium

Coordinates: 38°57′26″N 95°14′51″W / 38.95722°N 95.24750°W / 38.95722; -95.24750
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Robinson Gymnasium
Map
Coordinates38°57′26″N 95°14′51″W / 38.95722°N 95.24750°W / 38.95722; -95.24750
OwnerUniversity of Kansas
OperatorUniversity of Kansas
Capacity2,500
Construction
Broke ground1905
OpenedMay 1907 (1907-05)
Construction cost$100,000 (original)
($3.27 million in 2023 dollars[1])
Tenants
Kansas Jayhawks (NCAA DI) (1907–1927)

Robinson Gymnasium was the first true gymnasium for the

Governor of Kansas, and his wife Sara Tappan Doolittle Robinson, both as thanks for their service and to make amends for what Sara perceived to be excessive pressure on her nephew to sell 51 acres (21 ha) of land to KU at a below-market price.[4][5] Construction began in 1905 and was completed in May 1907.[6]

The building was a significant improvement over Snow Hall, which had 11-foot ceilings and support beams in the middle of the floor.

locker rooms, a main-floor gymnasium, 1/16-mile running track, a batting cage, a full range of gymnastics equipment and a 2,500-seat auditorium.[5] The gymnasium served many purposes including dances, enrollments, commencements, concerts, lectures, and even as emergency housing immediately after World War II.[5]

The men's basketball team amassed a 148–28 record at Robinson before the team moved to the larger

Hoch Auditorium in 1927.[2] The gymnasium was demolished in November 1967 and was replaced with Wescoe Hall.[5]

References

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "The Changing Face of KU's Home-Court". The University Daily Kansan. March 12, 2010.
  3. ^ Rains, Rob (2011). James Naismith: The Man Who Invented Basketball. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press. p. 87.
  4. ^ Bedore, Gary (January 3, 1995). "Q & A: The Definitive Naismith". KU Sports.com.
  5. ^ a b c d McCool, John H. (29 May 2018). "So Here's To You, Dr. (and Mrs.) Robinson". KU History.com.
  6. ^ "Robinson Center History". University of Kansas Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences.