The Men's Gymnasium (now part of the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington building) is an on-campus indoor athletic facility on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. From 1917–1928 it also served as the home of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team.
The Men's Gymnasium, more commonly referred to now as part of the School of Public Health-Bloomington building, is part of a complex for the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, as well as the recreational programs offered by the school's Division of Recreational Sports.[1] The Men's Gymnasium, together with the Wildermuth Intramural Center, make up the SPHB complex.
History
On January 19, 1917, the Indiana Hoosiers began playing in the Men's Gymnasium, a Gothic basketball cathedral.[2] The team won their initial game against Iowa 12–7. The low score was attributed to both teams struggling to adjust to the new baskets in the arena.[2]
The new facility was built from Indiana limestone and cost $250,000. In addition to the basketball portion, it included an indoor track, a pool, locker rooms, offices for athletics and staff, and a trophy room. The primary focal point of the facility was a 2,400-seat basketball arena on the second floor. It was simply called the new Men's Gymnasium, and for the first few years was often just called the "New Gym."[2]
After the first few games spectators complained that they could not see the game because of opaque wooden backboards. The Nurre Mirror Plate Company in Bloomington was employed to create new backboards that contained one-and-a-half inch thick plate glass so that fans could see games without an obstructed view. It was the first facility in the country to use glass backboards.[2]
Indiana's first All-American, Everett Dean, played in the facility. Later he returned as head coach for the team and won a Big Ten Conference championship in his second season in 1925–26.[2] The basketball team's last season in the facility was in 1927–28, when the team again won the conference championship. Because of the growing popularity of basketball at the school, the team needed a larger arena to host games and moved to the Old Fieldhouse.
Swastika tiles
Tiles in the building, including one depicting a black swastika
Tiles in the building depict symbols representing health and well-being in various cultures, including swastikas, a symbol which later became negatively associated with and pre-dated Germany's Third Reich. A plaque in the lobby addresses this and reads:
Installed in 1917 with the construction of the original IU Men’s Gymnasium building, the elaborate ceramic tiles in the foyer of each wing contain symbols from cultures around the world. These beautiful and historic tiles represent themes of energy, movement, good fortune, prosperity, growth, health, and harmony. Collectively they represent aspirations for a healthy life through fitness and wellbeing.
Among the tiles you may see are equilateral crosses with four arms bent at 90°, known historically as swastikas. The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix. Thus, swastika, literally means "to be good."
The origins of this symbol are quite ancient. The earliest archaeological evidence of these ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, Ancient India, as well as Classical Antiquity. The spiritual design has been used by Greeks, Romans, Celts, Buddhists, Jainists, Hindus, and Native Americans. Up until its adoption, in a modified form, by the National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party, it was very commonly used as a symbol of good fortune for thousands of years worldwide.
The display of the ancient symbol on these walls should in no way be interpreted as an endorsement of the political and social ideologies of the Nazi party and the atrocities the regime committed. Its inclusion here in its historical form predates the rise to power and horrific abuses of the Nazis.
The inclusion of this motif should be interpreted in its most pure and benign form, as a token of wellbeing, as it was intended when the building was constructed.
References
^"School of Public Health Facilities". Indiana University. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
^ abcdeHiner, Jason (2005). Indiana University Basketball Encyclopedia. United States: Sports Publishing. p. 447. ISBN1-58261-655-8.
External links
Indiana University School of Public Health
April 02, 2023
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The Men s Gymnasium now part of the Indiana University School of Public Health Bloomington building is an on campus indoor athletic facility on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana From 1917 1928 it also served as the home of the Indiana Hoosiers men s basketball team Men s GymnasiumLocation1025 E 7th StreetBloomington IN 47405Coordinates39 10 09 N 86 31 16 W 39 169181 N 86 521235 W 39 169181 86 521235 Coordinates 39 10 09 N 86 31 16 W 39 169181 N 86 521235 W 39 169181 86 521235OwnerIndiana UniversityOperatorIndiana UniversityCapacity2 400 approx former ConstructionBroke ground1916Opened1917Construction cost 250 000TenantsIndiana University Contents 1 Current use 2 History 3 Swastika tiles 4 References 5 External linksCurrent use EditThe Men s Gymnasium more commonly referred to now as part of the School of Public Health Bloomington building is part of a complex for the Indiana University School of Public Health Bloomington as well as the recreational programs offered by the school s Division of Recreational Sports 1 The Men s Gymnasium together with the Wildermuth Intramural Center make up the SPHB complex History EditOn January 19 1917 the Indiana Hoosiers began playing in the Men s Gymnasium a Gothic basketball cathedral 2 The team won their initial game against Iowa 12 7 The low score was attributed to both teams struggling to adjust to the new baskets in the arena 2 The new facility was built from Indiana limestone and cost 250 000 In addition to the basketball portion it included an indoor track a pool locker rooms offices for athletics and staff and a trophy room The primary focal point of the facility was a 2 400 seat basketball arena on the second floor It was simply called the new Men s Gymnasium and for the first few years was often just called the New Gym 2 After the first few games spectators complained that they could not see the game because of opaque wooden backboards The Nurre Mirror Plate Company in Bloomington was employed to create new backboards that contained one and a half inch thick plate glass so that fans could see games without an obstructed view It was the first facility in the country to use glass backboards 2 Indiana s first All American Everett Dean played in the facility Later he returned as head coach for the team and won a Big Ten Conference championship in his second season in 1925 26 2 The basketball team s last season in the facility was in 1927 28 when the team again won the conference championship Because of the growing popularity of basketball at the school the team needed a larger arena to host games and moved to the Old Fieldhouse Swastika tiles Edit Tiles in the building including one depicting a black swastika Tiles in the building depict symbols representing health and well being in various cultures including swastikas a symbol which later became negatively associated with and pre dated Germany s Third Reich A plaque in the lobby addresses this and reads Installed in 1917 with the construction of the original IU Men s Gymnasium building the elaborate ceramic tiles in the foyer of each wing contain symbols from cultures around the world These beautiful and historic tiles represent themes of energy movement good fortune prosperity growth health and harmony Collectively they represent aspirations for a healthy life through fitness and wellbeing Among the tiles you may see are equilateral crosses with four arms bent at 90 known historically as swastikas The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika su meaning good asti meaning to be and ka as a suffix Thus swastika literally means to be good The origins of this symbol are quite ancient The earliest archaeological evidence of these ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity The spiritual design has been used by Greeks Romans Celts Buddhists Jainists Hindus and Native Americans Up until its adoption in a modified form by the National Socialist German Workers Nazi Party it was very commonly used as a symbol of good fortune for thousands of years worldwide The display of the ancient symbol on these walls should in no way be interpreted as an endorsement of the political and social ideologies of the Nazi party and the atrocities the regime committed Its inclusion here in its historical form predates the rise to power and horrific abuses of the Nazis The inclusion of this motif should be interpreted in its most pure and benign form as a token of wellbeing as it was intended when the building was constructed References Edit School of Public Health Facilities Indiana University Retrieved 4 March 2013 a b c d e Hiner Jason 2005 Indiana University Basketball Encyclopedia United States Sports Publishing p 447 ISBN 1 58261 655 8 External links EditIndiana University School of Public Health Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Men 27s Gymnasium Indiana University amp oldid 1018028556, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
