Food and t-shirts available while supplies last. Free Climbing Wall access open to all UT students and RecSports members.
When Gregory Gym opened in 1930, the facility served as a home for the UT basketball program and as a venue for class registration, all-university dances, lectures, concerts, the popular Fite Nights, physical education classes, intramural sports, and open recreation.
For over six decades, Gregory still had its original 1930s locker rooms and an old weight room with railroad ties as flooring. There were no spaces for exercise classes or similar activities and perhaps most importantly, it still lacked air conditioning.
It goes without saying that when polled, students responded they would like to see more high-quality facilities on campus.
Thanks to efforts led by student leaders in partnership with administration, a feasibility study was conducted, an architect was hired, a committee was formed, and renovation plans were put in motion. In 1993, students voted in support of a semesterly fee to help fund the renovation in a campus-wide referendum, and the Board of Regents approved the renovation. Construction began in 1996, which meant a 22-month closure for Gregory Gym until the project was completed and the facility reopened on Nov. 12, 1997.
The facility reopened with the following new additions: an exercise lounge featuring cardiovascular equipment, an 11,000 square foot weight room, handball, racquetball, and squash courts, locker rooms with saunas and steam rooms, games room, a three-lane indoor track, basketball and volleyball courts, new administrative offices, an indoor rock climbing wall, and a main arena with seating for 5,000 spectators. And of course, air conditioning.
