Memorial Gymnasium (University of Idaho)

Memorial Gymnasium is a 2,500 seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Opened in 1928, the venue honors state residents who gave their lives in the service of their country in World War I. The architectural style is Tudor-Gothic and is heavily buttressed; the chief architect was David C. Lang, the head of the university's architecture department. The west end addition was built from 1951–52, and the building was renovated in 1954.^[2] Ivy partially covers the brick and concrete exterior, which is decorated with crouching football player gargoyles and stained glass windows.^[3]

The Memorial Gymnasium was the home of Idaho Vandals basketball until the enclosure of the Kibbie Dome in late 1975; the Dome's basketball configuration was renamed "Cowan Spectrum" in early 2001. Currently the "Mem Gym" is the home court of Vandal women's volleyball, and occasionally hosts early season basketball games, depending upon the late season football schedule. The facility is used extensively for physical education classes, intramurals, and open recreation. Commencement ceremonies for the College of Engineering are traditionally held in the venue in mid-May.

At just 49 years of age, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

References

External links

• Photo of Memorial Gymnasium - north side exterior - circa 1930s
• Photo of Memorial Gymnasium - from northeast - circa 1950s - (Neale Stadium in background)
• Vandal Boxing - 1949 - 4200 in Mem Gym
• University of Idaho - University Support Services - Memorial Gymnasium - history