Butler Memorial Gymnasium

The Butler Memorial Gymnasium is the oldest surviving building here at St. Bonaventure University. It was opened in the year of 1918 after being named after the previous University President, Fr. Joseph Butler. It was built as a multi purpose building that would accommodate a variety of different student activities here on campus. While it traditionally housed intramural/Division 1 activities and ROTC training programs, it now stands as a home for the fine arts programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it offered a unique experience for students because it could accommodate a small group of people looking to get practice time in.

The Butler Gymnasium opened in the year of 1918, making it the oldest building here at St. Bonaventure University. It was built with a full size basketball court, a swimming pool, a suspended running track on the second floor, locker rooms, a college store, and a basement to house student art classes. The purpose of this building was to offer students a recreation center, but it was later used to house the Student Army Training Corps and even several sporting teams here on campus. With a seating capacity of nearly 500 people, it served as an adequate space for the Men's basketball team and various other sports team, until space became a big issue for the players. Until the Reilly Center was opened in the year of 1967, the Butler Memorial Gymnasium was the primary sports center on campus. Since it's replacement by the Reilly Center, there were some serious talks about destroying the Butler Gymnasium. However, it still stands today, and offers several sports teams the ability to get practices in.

Accessed December 12th 2021. http://archives.sbu.edu/studentpages/buildings/Butler%20Memorial%20Gymnasium.htm.

Accessed December 12th 2021. http://archives.sbu.edu/buildings/buildings_mobile/Butler.html.