Walsh Gymnasium

Last updated
Walsh Gymnasium
New Jersey’s Most Historic Gymnasium
Walsh Gymnasium, December 2022.jpg
Walsh Gymnasium during a basketball game in December 2022
Walsh Gymnasium
Location Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ 07079
Coordinates 40°44′30″N74°14′42″W / 40.741690°N 74.244921°W / 40.741690; -74.244921
Public transit South Orange station :

NJ Transit NJT logo.svg Aiga railtransportation 25.svg

      Morristown Line

      Gladstone Branch: Weekdays Only

NJT Bus NJT logo.svg Aiga bus trans.svg: 92
Owner Seton Hall University
OperatorSeton Hall University
Capacity 1,316 (basketball)
1,100 (volleyball)
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
Broke ground1939
Opened1941
Renovated2020-2021
Construction cost$600,000
($12.6 million in 2022 dollars [1] )
Architect Anthony J. DePace
Tenants
Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball (19411985; Occasional Non-Big East Games 1985-present)
Seton Hall Pirates women's basketball (1973-present)
Seton Hall Pirates women's volleyball

Walsh Gymnasium is a multi-purpose arena in South Orange, New Jersey on the campus of Seton Hall University. The arena opened in 1941 and can seat 1,316 people. [2] It was home to the Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team before they moved to the Meadowlands in 1985 and then Prudential Center in 2007. Currently, the arena hosts the women's basketball and volleyball teams, but continues to host men's basketball for preseason exhibitions, postseason invitational games such as early rounds of the NIT, and occasionally a regular season non-conference game if there is a conflict with Prudential Center's event schedule. The building is part of the Richie Regan Recreation & Athletic Center, and, like the school's main library, is named for Rev. Thomas J. Walsh, fifth bishop of Newark and former President of the Board of Trustees.

Contents

Walsh hosted a semifinal game of the ECAC Metro Region tournament, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college basketball tournament organized by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), in 1977. [3] [4] The Pirates played two games in the 2012 NIT and three games in the 2024 NIT in Walsh.

History

Walsh Gymnasium was the first permanent basketball facility to be built on the Seton Hall campus. The architect was Anthony J. DePace. [5] Construction began in 1939 as part of a project that would cost $600,000 (equivalent to $12.6 million in 2022) [6] and was completed in the winter of 1941, when the men's basketball team played its first-ever game there. According to Alan Delozier in his book "Seton Hall Pirates: A Basketball History" Seton Hall University president Monsignor James F. Kelley based the Walsh Gymnasium concept on facilities found at St. Catherine's College and Yale University for their multipurpose dynamics. [7]

Walsh Gymnasium, October 2019 prior to 2021 renovations. Walsh Gymnasium, October 2019.jpg
Walsh Gymnasium, October 2019 prior to 2021 renovations.

When it opened in 1941, Walsh seated 3,200 and was one of the largest arenas in the northeast. The last major renovation, during Tommy Amaker’s coaching tenure in the late 1990s, replaced nearly an entire bank of balcony seating with offices. [8]

New Daktronics hanging scoreboard, October 2021 Walsh Gym Scoreboard.jpg
New Daktronics hanging scoreboard, October 2021

In 2020 Walsh Gymnasium received a significant facelift following the conclusion of the 2019-20 collegiate basketball season. Upgrades included: Complete replacement of the seating including the court level bleachers with chair-back seating; a new center-hung scoreboard, as well as two new video boards flanking the stage; new ceiling-mounted baskets which will replace the portable baskets; a new sound system; and a new hardwood court. [9]

Events

Over the years, Walsh Gym has been host to countless events including post-season games, religious ceremonies, graduations and concerts featuring the likes of Bruce Springsteen. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McCamish Pavilion</span> Basketball arena in Atlanta, Georgia

Hank McCamish Pavilion, nicknamed The Thrillerdome and originally known as Alexander Memorial Coliseum, is an indoor arena located on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the home of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball and Yellow Jackets women's basketball teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt University)</span> Basketball arena at Vanderbilt University

Memorial Gymnasium is a multi-purpose facility located in Nashville, Tennessee. Usually called Memorial Gym or simply Memorial, the building is located on the western side of the Vanderbilt University campus. It was built in 1952 and currently has a seating capacity of 14,326. It serves as home court for the school's men's and women's basketball programs, and will also serve as the home of Vanderbilt's upcoming women's volleyball program, scheduled to begin play in 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Farm Center</span> Arena in Champaign, Illinois, United States

The State Farm Center is a large dome-shaped 15,544-seat indoor arena located in Champaign, Illinois, owned and operated by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The arena hosts games for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball, women's basketball, and wrestling teams. It also doubles as a performance and event center, and is one of the largest venues between Chicago and St. Louis. It opened in 1963 and was known until 2013 as Assembly Hall until State Farm Insurance acquired naming rights as part of a major renovation project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haas Pavilion</span> Arena in Berkeley, California

The Walter A. Haas Jr. Pavilion is an indoor arena on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley. It is the home venue of the Golden Bears men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, and men's and women's gymnastics teams. The arena is located in the middle of the main sports complex, overlooking Evans Diamond (baseball) and Edwards Stadium (track/soccer).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gill Coliseum</span> Building on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.

Gill Coliseum is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the northwest United States, located on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Opened in December 1949, the arena currently lists a seating capacity of 9,301 and is home to the Oregon State Beavers' basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and gymnastics teams. It is named after Amory T. "Slats" Gill, the Beavers' basketball coach for 36 seasons, who compiled a 599–392 (.604) record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVU Coliseum</span> Arena in Morgantown, West Virginia

The WVU Coliseum is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose arena located on the Evansdale campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. The circular arena features a poured concrete roof. It was built with state funds and replaced the WVU Fieldhouse, which seated 6,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale F. Halton Arena</span> Sports venue in Charlotte, North Carolina, US

Dale F. Halton Arena at the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center is an indoor sports venue located on the main campus of UNC Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the home venue of the Charlotte 49ers men's and women's basketball teams and volleyball team. Halton Arena was named for the former president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Charlotte. She was a benefactress to the university and served on the university's board of trustees. The building was funded entirely through private donations and student fees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E. A. Diddle Arena</span> Sports venue in Bowling Green, Kentucky

E. A. Diddle Arena is a 7,326-seat multi-purpose arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. The arena, built in 1963, is home to the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers men's basketball team and Lady Toppers basketball and volleyball teams. It is also known as Academic-Athletic Building #1. It also holds Military Science and Physical Education & Recreation classes and offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center</span> Multi-purpose arena on the campus of Kent State University

The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, often referred to as the MAC Center and the MACC, is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The building is primarily used as an athletic venue that is home to five Kent State Golden Flashes varsity athletic teams: men's basketball, women's basketball, women's volleyball, women's gymnastics, and wrestling. In addition, it hosts commencement exercises, speakers, and concerts throughout the year. The building houses the offices of the Kent State Athletic Department and the coaches of each of the university's varsity athletic teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devlin Fieldhouse</span> Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse is a 4,100-seat, multi-purpose arena built in 1933 on Tulane University's Uptown campus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Since its opening, it has been home to the Tulane Green Wave men's and women's basketball teams and the women's volleyball team. Devlin is the 9th-oldest continuously active basketball venue in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse</span> Indoor arena in Pittsburgh

UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, originally known as A.J. Palumbo Center, is a 3,500-seat multi-purpose arena in the Uptown area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania served by exits on both Interstate 376 and Interstate 579. The arena originally opened in 1988, and is part of Duquesne University. It is home to both the Duquesne Dukes basketball and volleyball programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robins Center</span> Building in Virginia, United States

The Robins Center is a 7,201-seat multi-purpose arena in Richmond, Virginia. Opened in 1972, the arena is home to the University of Richmond Spiders basketball. It hosted the ECAC South men's basketball tournament in 1983. It is named for E. Claiborne Robins Sr, class of 1931, who, along with his family, have been leading benefactors for the school. The opening of the Robins Center returning Spider basketball to an on-campus facility for the first time since the mid-1940s when it outgrew Millhiser Gymnasium. In the intervening decades, the Spiders played home games in numerous locations around the Richmond area, including the Richmond Coliseum (1971–1972), the Richmond Arena (1954–1971), the Benedictine High School gymnasium (1951–1954), Grays' Armory (1950–1951) and Blues' Armory (1947–1950). The Robins Center arena serves as the location of the University of Richmond's commencement exercises and hosted a 1992 Presidential debate involving Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Ross Perot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athletics–Recreation Center</span> Arena in Valparaiso, Indiana, US

The Athletics–Recreation Center, also known as the ARC, is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States. It serves as the home court for Valparaiso Beacons men's and women's basketball teams as well as the volleyball team. It opened in 1984 as an addition to Hilltop Gym, the oldest parts of which date to 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yanitelli Center</span> Athletic facility at Saint Peters University in New Jersey, US

The Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center, known today as the Run Baby Run Arena, is a multipurpose athletic facility on the campus of Saint Peter's University, a private, coeducational Roman Catholic university in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. Notable for its air-supported "bubble," the building opened in 1975 at a cost of $6 million and is named after the 17th president of the college.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UNF Arena</span>

UNF Arena is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. It is home to the North Florida Ospreys men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams. It is also used for other events, such as concerts and graduation ceremonies, and has served as the site of the Orlando Magic franchise's training camp. It opened in 1993 and has a capacity of up to 6,300.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Bank and Trust Arena</span> Arena

First Bank and Trust Arena is a 5,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Brookings, South Dakota. It was built on the east side of campus in 1973 and is home to the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams, replacing the Gymnasium-Armory, built in 1918 and nicknamed "The Barn," which still resides on the westside of campus. First Bank and Trust Arena was formerly known as Frost Arena, which was named after former SDSU basketball coach Reuben B. "Jack" Frost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDonough Gymnasium</span> Arena on Georgetown University campus

McDonough Gymnasium, sometimes referred to as McDonough Arena when hosting a sports or entertainment event, is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Officially known as McDonough Memorial Gymnasium, it opened in 1951 and can hold 2,200 spectators for sports events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center</span>

The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center is a multi-purpose arena in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The arena, Gore Arena, is located on the campus of Campbell University and hosts the university's basketball, volleyball, and wrestling programs. It is named for Gilbert Craig Gore, the late son of a Campbell alum. The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center is a part of the expansion plan of Campbell's athletic facilities, which includes a new football stadium and renovations to existing Taylor Field of the baseball program. The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center replaced Carter Gymnasium, which was the second smallest gymnasium in Division I Basketball with just 947 seats, second only to Charleston Southern's Fieldhouse which holds 750. The John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center also host events such as the universities commencement ceremonies and other university related events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball</span> College basketball team

The Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball program is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. The team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Pirates are currently coached by Shaheen Holloway. Seton Hall has appeared 14 times in the NCAA tournament and were national runners-up in 1989.

Memorial Hall was an on-campus athletics building on the campus of the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The 33,000-square-foot (3,100 m2) building was the first to be built during the tenure of Norman P. Auburn, Akron's 10th president, and the first to be built beyond the original Butchel College lands. Memorial Hall was open for the start of the 1954–55 school year, and was dedicated on December 11, 1954, in honor of the 1,534 Summit County residents who lost their lives in World War II. The building replaced Crouse Gymnasium, built in 1888 and the oldest building on campus at the time, as the home for physical education. It also served as the new home of the men's basketball team, allowing them to host home games on campus again. The team had moved out of Crouse Gymnasium, which had seating for only a few hundred fans, in the 1920s to the larger off-campus Akron Armory.

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. "Facilities". Seton Hall University Athletics. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  3. "ECAC Men's Basketball Tournaments - Varsity Pride". jonfmorse.com. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  4. Varsity Pride: 1977 ECAC Men's Basketball Tournaments
  5. "Marine Corps Seeks Men For Volunteer Reserve; DESIGN OF NEW BUILDING FOR SETON HALL COLLEGE". The New York Times. 1939-06-27. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  6. "Seton Hall College To Get A Gymnasium; Ground for $600,000 Edifice to Be Broken Thursday", The New York Times , June 27, 1939. Accessed April 28, 2022. "Ground for a $600,000 gymnasium, to include an auditorium, a theatre and two swimming pools, will be broken Thursday at Seton Hall College here, it was announced today by the Rev. Dr. James F. Kelley, president of the college."
  7. "Walsh Gym Renovation Project Begins". Seton Hall University Athletics. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  8. "Seton Hall Basketball: a first look at renovated Walsh Gym". Asbury Park Press. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  9. "Walsh Gymnasium Renovation to Commence April 2020". Seton Hall University Athletics. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  10. "Walsh Gymnasium - Facilities - Seton Hall University Athletics". Seton Hall University Athletics. Retrieved 3 December 2021.