UT’s first gymnasium was destroyed during the Civil War. Basketball and other gymnasium functions took place in the YWCA building from 1891 to 1923, when Jefferson Hall (second of the name) was used for basketball and student events.
In 1924 UT began construction on a gymnasium between Middle Drive and Estabrook Road near Shields-Watkins Field (now encircled by Neyland Stadium) 90 feet by 60 feet and that would cost $16,000. In February 1925 coaches moved from the YMCA building, and the athletics business office moved from Estabrook into the new facility. The Engineering Department designed the new gymnasium, which contained athletic offices, dressing rooms, showers, lockers, and storage. A large basketball floor was included for physical education classes and basketball practices, and a second gymnasium provided space for boxers and wrestlers to work out. There were two sets of lockers—one large set for equipment and one for students’ use. Dressing rooms for home and visiting football teams were provided and were in use until 1926 when dressing rooms beneath the new east side concrete stands (seating 3,700) were created. Basketball games continued to be played in Jefferson Hall.
The gymnasium was razed to allow construction of Alumni Memorial Building.