Vandy's Memorial Gym

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The Southeastern Conference's most historic home for college basketball, Memorial Gymnasium serves as the home court for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Dedicated in 1952 as a memorial to all Vanderbilt men and women who served in World War II, the arena was built as a combination gymnasium and concert hall by the late master architect Edwin Keeble.

Fifty-four years later, the unique style of Memorial Gymnasium -- with its benches situated on the baseline, a playing court that sits above portions of the crowd and deafening acoustics -- continues to make the Commodores' home a dreaded stop for opponents. "Memorial Magic," with its capacity crowds, overflowing student section and lively pep band have assisted in numerous Commodore victories. In the stands, fans across Middle Tennessee have helped Memorial Gymnasium (capacity 14,316) rank among the NCAA's Top 30 attendance leaders 23 times since 1977.

On the floor, Vanderbilt has won more than 78 percent of its home games, including 32 of its last 36 contests. Last season, the Commodores set the school record with 17 home victories while pushing their active win streak against non-conference foes to 24 games. In fact, Vanderbilt has won 59 of its last 61 meetings against non-SEC competition and owns a .933 winning percentage (125-9) since 1990.

In 2002, a $25 million renovation of Memorial Gymnasium was completed, highlighted by yet another one-of-a-kind feature. Connected to the facility sits a new practice gym that includes a three cross-court playing floor, coaching offices, a donor room and a Hall of Champions. Other aspects of the renovation included upgrades of the seating areas, private suites, a new lighting and sound system and a new court design.

In all, Memorial Gym has been expanded three times. Constructed with a seating capacity of 6,583, the University saw its first need to increase seating in 1965 with the addition of two north-side balconies. Two years later, a pair of balancing balconies were erected on the south side of the gym and dubbed "The Balconies That Clyde Lee Built."

Capacity has fluctuated throughout the history of the building. It reached its highest number of 15,646 in 1969 when 4,000 seats were added in the east and west ends. When chairback seats in the end zones and suites on the north side were installed in the late 1990s capacity lowered to 14,168. Prior to last season, university officials removed portions of media press row on the south side in an effort to expand the student section by nearly 150 seats.

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