History of SMU Gyms Part V

[50's PONY]

Here is the last installment of our History of SMU’s Gyms. SMU Coliseum officially opened on 12-3-56 with a game against McMurry. The Mustangs won 113-36. So here is a question that is often asked. Who scored the first SMU goal (which was also the first goal of the game)?
The answer is – Captain Bobby Mills. Bobby was a senior from Cleveland High School in St. Louis (part of the St. Louis connection that would serve us well for many years). The 1956-57 season would close with SMU hosting the NCAA Midwest Regional at the SMU Coliseum and losing a heartbreaker to Kansas (Wilt Chamberlain) in overtime.

1954 - Early Construction




1955 - Construction Moving Along




1956 - Almost There


1964 - President Willis Tate and Mary Moody Northern (daughter of W. L. Moody) admiring picture of W. L. Moody in lobby of coliseum


1964 - President Tate and Mary Moody Northern outside Moody Coliseum


1964 - Crowd arriving for dedication


1964 - Plaque inside the lobby of Moody Coliseum

[Digetydog]

Even then, we were playing McMurry for the easy win.

[ponyboy]

zing!

Great photos.

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

...with Minnesota, Xavier, and Kentucky a few weeks later...

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Great stuff as always. Thanks!

[Water Pony]

Prior to Moody, SMU's gymnasium was located in the heart of the SMU campus, now Perkins Natatorium, and is now the home for both the men's and women's swimming & diving teams at SMU. Converted in 1959, Perkins Natatorium houses a six-lane heated pool with 25 yard lanes (smaller than most high school pools).

[Digetydog]

Prior to Moody, SMU's gymnasium was located in the heart of the SMU campus, now Perkins Natatorium, and is now the home for both the men's and women's swimming & diving teams at SMU. Converted in 1959, Perkins Natatorium houses a six-lane heated pool with 25 yard lanes (smaller than most high school pools).

I still think swimming at Perkins is cool. It's like being back in the 50's in a good way.

Having said that, our swim team deserves a 50m indoor pool sometime this century. Watching them swim in brutal weather (arms flailing through the steam) was twisted. They have always outperformed their facilities.

[NavyCrimson]

Great work 50's!!!

Where can we find I through IV? I'd love to see those!

[PoconoPony]

[quote="Water Pony"]Prior to Moody, SMU's gymnasium was located in the heart of the SMU campus, now Perkins Natatorium, and is now the home for both the men's and women's swimming & diving teams at SMU. Converted in 1959, Perkins Natatorium houses a six-lane heated pool with 25 yard lanes (smaller than most high school pools).

Conversion of Perkins to the natatorium was a bit controversial at the time. In those days PE classes with men and women were kept very separate. The PE department assumed that Perkins would be the new home for women's PE. Instead, then President Willis Tate had somewhat secretly promised legendary coach A.R. "Red" Barr a home for men's swimming. Tate reportedly told Barr that if they were ever going to be able to get a better pool for men's swimming that it had to be then so the deal was struck. Obviously, much complaining and consternation from women's PE feeling that women's interests had been set back. Tate kept his promise and the pool was ingeniously dug into the floor area of the old gym. In the interim, the women were stuck in a hot dingy hell hole known as the women's gym which was sandwiched across the street from Boaz Hall, Lettemen's Hall and then part of fraternity row. I cannot remember the name of the beautiful new building that now occupies that location now.

[Arkpony]

I saw the Ponies play in that old natatorium my freshman year. One night Jim Krebs scored over 50 points in a game there. I also saw that game agains Kansas. When Krebs fouled out with 5 minutes to go SMU was leading by about 6 points. Without Krebs guarding Chamberlain Kansas tied the game and won in overtime. Sports Illustrated said SMU obviously had the better team but w/o Krebs, no chance. Those were the salad days for SMU basketball.

[50's PONY]

Just go back on the basketball page and you will see all of them. I started the pictures In December.