Memorial Gymnasium

Nashville's Memorial Gymnasium was constructed in 1952 as a memorial to Vanderbilt students and alumni who lost their lives serving in World War II. Noted architect, Edwin A. Keeble, was entrusted by Vanderbilt University to construct this new memorial that would serve as a multipurpose sports, and fine arts facility. Keeble was familiar with the city of Nashville, as he had designed the Life and Casualty (L&C) Tower in the city's downtown. Keeble was also responsible for the design of six National Guard Armories, located in Columbia, Lawrenceburg, Cookeville, Shelbyville, Centerville, and Murfreesboro. Keeble had also served as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II, and was a graduate of Vanderbilt University. Keeble designed Memorial Gym in a way that would be suitable for fine art, and sport. He designed the building with a raised floor, or stage. He designed the bleachers in a way that would prevent players and balls from flying into the stands. He wanted to make sure that the players and performers had ample space to perform. For the building's basketball use, the home and visitor benches were placed on the baselines, instead of on the sidelines. This layout is still used today. This layout provides Vanderbilt's basketball teams with a true home court advantage. Each of the three decks inside Memorial Gym has a theater like atmosphere. When games are being played, the lights in the audience are turned off, providing fans with a truly theatrical type experience. Until recently coaches were only allowed to be in the baseline area. A new NCAA rule has since allowed coaches to walk all the way around to mid court. The NCAA has also recently made Vanderbilt install new goals that feature a shot clock at the top. Prior to this the shot clock was located on the side of the goals and was difficult for players to see. These new goals have been sponsored by Vanderbilt Health. Memorial Gym has been expanded significantly since its 1952 construction. When first constructed the capacity was only 6,583. Due to the rise in popularity of Vanderbilt men's and women's basketball throughout the years, the gym now seats 14,316. Memorial Gym has also hosted numerous concerts, plays, and even a World Boxing Championship super middleweight elimination bout in 2008. Memorial Gym has been home to Vanderbilt legends such as Perry Wallace, Clyde Lee, Billy McCaffery, Dan Langhi, and Shan Foster. Memorial Gym is one of the oldest basketball arenas in the country, and the oldest in the Southeastern Conference. It is referred to often as "The Fenway Park of College Basketball." Fans use the slogan "Memorial Magic" to refer to the Commodore's home court advantage. In fact Vanderbilt has such a home court advantage, that the Commodore's have made at least one three point shot in every game in Memorial Gym, or anywhere else for that matter. The fact is Memorial Gym is one of the most historic venues in all of sports, and is truly a treasure for Vanderbilt University, and Nashville, but a nightmare for opposing teams.

Cases of Memorial Magic since Memorial Gym's 1952 Construction:

The legend goes that some "magical dust" was sprinkled into the Memorial Gym rafters shortly after its construction. In any case, there have been numerous "magical" moments for the Commodores since the gym's opening. Here are a few accounts of Memorial Magic courtesy of Bill Traughber, Nashville Sports Historian, and ESPN boxscores:

March 5, 1959 vs. Baylor: During the final game of the season, in a year an experimental 24-second shot clock was used, the Commodores were trailing in the second half by as much as 11 points. After cutting the lead to one point with just seconds left, Doug Yates hit a jumper from the top of the circle for the 61-60 Commodore victory.

Jan. 16, 1963 vs. Tennessee: Vanderbilt got a break when the Volunteers missed a free throw with three seconds left and a 68-68 score. In overtime, Roger Schurig was the go-to guy when he canned a lunging jumper with four seconds left for a 74-72 Commodore victory.

Jan. 6, 1964 vs. Kentucky: When the second-ranked Wildcats came into Memorial Gymnasium, the fans were ready for a close game. The game was tied at 83 when John Ed Miller took and inbounds pass and penetrated towards the goal with seconds remaining. Surprised that his Wildcat opponent didn't cover him closely, Miller pulled up at the free throw line and swished the game-winner. Commodores upset Adolph Rupp's men, 85-83.

Jan. 15, 1986 vs. Tennessee: With the Commodores trailing 59-51 with less than a minute remaining, Barry Goheen led his team to nine unanswered points. Goheen scored the last five points to pull out the improbable win. The guard hit a 10-footer from the left baseline with four seconds left to tie the game. On the play Goheen was fouled and his free throw was the game-winner, 60-59.

January 2007 vs. Tennessee: 3.7 seconds on the clock, Derrick Byars grabbed a Ross Neltner inbound pass. Byars raced to the right of the basket, but missed a contested layup. Shan Foster took the rebound from the left side and his put back was good as the buzzer sounded. Vanderbilt beat the Vols 82-81. The Vols week long run as the #1 team in the nation was over.

March 5, 2008 vs. Mississippi State: Shan Foster hit nine consecutive three-pointers (including a 22-footer and a 25-footer), all of which were contested, and unleashed a career-high 42 points on the visiting 25th-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs, including the game-winning basket, to push then 16th-ranked Vanderbilt to an 86-85 overtime victory which gave the Commodores their first undefeated season at Memorial since the 1992–1993 season. The point total tied for second-highest single-game performance in Vanderbilt men's basketball history.

February 27, 2016 vs. Kentucky: Matthew Fisher-Davis tied his career-high with 20 points, and Vanderbilt upset No. 16 Kentucky 74-62 on Saturday for its third straight victory and first over the Wildcats at Memorial Gym since 2011. Vanderbilt fans and students rushed the court, leading to an NCAA fine levied against the university.

Exterior view of Memorial Gymnasium.

Early basketball game at Memorial Gymnasium.

Aerial photograph showing Memorial Gymnasium, Parmer Fieldhouse, and Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt's Hawkins Field baseball stadium would not be constructed until 2002. 

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