The gymnasium has undergone several renovations, and now consists of the original gym and a four-story annex that serves as a gymnasium with an indoor jogging track, basketball courts, racquetball and squash courts, an indoor rock-climbing wall, a moderately-sized weight room, and a cardiovascular exercise facility.[2] All University students can use the gymnasium for free. The gymnasium is available at a low cost to university alumni and their spouses.
History
Following the destruction of Texas' first basketball gymnasium in a fire in 1928, former U.S. Attorney General T.W. Gregory seized the opportunity to spearhead a fundraising initiative for a new facility, later becoming Gregory Gymnasium.[4]
Originally built in 1930 with an estimated cost of $500,000,[4] the gym was named after its main advocate and planner, Thomas Watt Gregory. Gregory, an alumnus of the University, served on the University's Board of Regents and as United States Attorney General before the gym was built.[5][2] On December 5, 1930, Texas celebrated its inaugural men's basketball game at Gregory Gym.[4]
By the late 1920s, plans expanded to include a women’s gym and student union building, known as the "Union Project." Despite economic hardships during the Great Depression, the Texas Exes contributed over $600,000 to realize this ambitious project, leading to the construction of Gregory Gym and other essential campus facilities.[6] A process that became synonymous with the gymnasium was course registration each semester, where students endured long waits in hot weather to secure their class schedules.[7]
From 1930 to 1951, Gregory Gym hosted Fight Night, an annual boxing event that drew crowds from both the university and the wider community. Sporting events, including varsity basketball games and intramural competitions, added to the gym's reputation as a center for athletic excellence and spectatorship.[7]
By the 1950s and '60s, Gregory Gymnasium emerged as a prominent cultural venue and entertainment center on campus. It hosted renowned speakers, authors, and performers, attracting large audiences for literary readings, jazz concerts, and theatrical productions. Notable events included poetry readings by T.S. Eliot[8] and performances by jazz legends like Louis Armstrong[9] and the Count Basie group.[7][10]
In 1977, after 46 years as the home of men's basketball, the gym hosted its final Southwest Conference tournament play-in game, marking the end of an era in collegiate sports. The subsequent move of basketball games to the Frank Erwin Center distanced the team from its student fanbase, altering the dynamic of campus athletics.[11]
In November 1997, Gregory Gym underwent a substantial renovation, closing for 22 months to modernize its facilities. The renovation aimed to enhance the building's functionality and aesthetics, incorporating features such as natural lighting, open lounge areas, and central air-conditioning, reflecting a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the campus community.[12]
In 2016, Amazon announced an agreement with The University of Texas at Austin to open Amazon@UT Austin, a staffed pickup location in Gregory Gymnasium on the UT Austin campus. This marked the first Amazon pickup location in the state of Texas.[13]
On May 1, 2017, a fatal stabbing occurred near the gym where Kendrex J. White, a 21-year-old student, attacked multiple passersby. Student Harrison Brown was fatally stabbed and three others were wounded before White was apprehended by police. The incident prompted discussions about campus safety and mental health support, ultimately leading to efforts to enhance security measures at Gregory Gym and across the university campus.[14][15]
On April 24, 2024, the gym's plaza was the initial gathering site of a student protest regarding the Israel-Hamas War. By noon, hundreds of students had gathered, leading to police on horseback forcing the protestors away from the area and subsequent protests by the UT Tower.[16] The protests occurred amidst the ongoing nationwide demonstrations on college campuses.[17]
Gregory Gregory (given name) Gregory Thaumaturgus Gregory of Nazianzus Mary Gregory Gregory of Nyssa The Gregory Brothers Lady Gregory Pope Gregory I Richard Gregory Francis Gregory Jack Gregory Thomas Gregory Charles Gregory Philippa Gregory Dick Gregory Michael Gregory Earle Davis Gregory Gregory of Tours Pam Gregory John Gregory Gregory Possehl George Gregory Pope Gregory VII James Gregory David Gregory Colin Gregory Steven Gregory Olinthus Gregory Gregory of Sinai Gregory, Queensland Chester Gregory Gregory Isaacs Gregory of Agrigento Harry Gregory Gregory the Illuminator Augustus Charles …
Gregory Wilton Daniel Gregory William Gregory Martin Gregory Joseph Gregory Louisa Gregory Gregory Tony Grégory Lemarchal William King Gregory Adam Gregory Henry Gregory Paul Gregory Duncan Gregory Gregory Palamas Greg Gregory Gregory-Lincoln Education Center Pope Gregory II General Gregory Bob Gregory Gregory Amenoff Frederick Gregory Governor Gregory Gregory Maass & Nayoungim Senator Gregory Gregory, South Dakota Gregory of Elvira Sara Gregory Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder Arthur Gregory Gregory Orologas Tom Gregory (singer) Louis George Gregory Roger Gregory Gregory II Youssef Gregory of Narek Allen Gregory Lake Gregory Pope Gregory Gregory S. Paul Grégory Arnolin Robert Gregory Roger T. Gregory John Walter Gregory Lake Gregory (California) Gregory of Caergwent Gregory of Utrecht Noble J. Gregory Anaphora of Saint Gregory Gregory V of Constantinople Sir Richard Gregory, 1st Baronet Francis Thomas Gregory Gregory of Dekapolis Gregory VII of Constantinople Gregory II of Constantinople Louise H. Gregory Pope Gregory X Ned Gregory Maundy Gregory Gregory Kaidanov David Gregory (journalist) Stephen S. Gregory Grégory Dufrennes Gregory Žatkovich Gregory v. City of Chicago Katherin