McDonough Arena, Georgetown University, 3700 O St Nw, Washington, DC

Ground was broken for construction of the gymnasium on May 20, 1950; the cornerstone was laid on October 14, 1950; the official ribbon cutting and opening was held December 8, 1951. When it opened, capacity was 4,000 for basketball and 5,500 for general events.^[1]

McDonough Gymnasium, since it opened in 1952, has housed the university's athletics administration offices, sports medicine and training room facilities, varsity locker rooms, and coaches' offices. Within the footprint of this historic brick and concrete structure, McDonough Arena is home to the women's basketball and volleyball teams. The men's basketball team practices and plays a limited number of contests at McDonough.

The Gymnasium is named for Rev. Vincent S. McDonough, SJ, moderator of athletics from 1916-1928. Legend has it that three days before his death on September 3, 1939, he was asked what he wanted for the twenty-fifth anniversary of his priesthood, to which he replied, "You give the boys a new gym and I'll be happy." Though he did not live to see it, the gym eventually was built after World War II.His portrait adorns the visitors' lobby where dozens of Georgetown's national trophies and memorabilia are displayed. 



Jerry performed here on
10/23/70 New Riders Of The Purple Sage and Grateful Dead
11/7/81 Jerry Garcia Band






1.)^ "DEDICATES GYMNASIUM; Georgetown U. Opens Memorial to. Rev. Vincent McDonough". New York Times: p. 96. 1951-12-09.