Capacity 4000
Architects: Freeman, French, Freeman
Patrick Gym has been the home of the Vermont Catatmounts since 1963. It was named in honor of Roy L. Patrick, a longtime benefactor of the university and a former member of the school's board of trustees.
Roy L. Patrick was educated in the public schools of Burlington, being graduated from the high school there and then entered the University of Vermont. This institution graduated him in 1898, with the degree of Bach- elor of Philosophy. After completion of his education, Mr. Patrick entered business, being associated for sixteen years with a coal and ice concern in Burlington.
In 1916, Patrick severed his connections with the coal-and ice business and entered the firm of The G. S. Blodgett Company, Incorporated, as treasurer. Later he became connected with the Blodgett Supply Company, and was made president of that organization in 1926. In the meantime Mr. Patrick has steadily widened the scope of his undertakings until now he is one of the most conspicuous industrial leaders in Vermont. He is treasurer of the Eastern Magnesia Talc Company; president of the Rock of Ages Corporation; treasurer of the Woodbury Granite Company, Incorporated, and a di- rector of the Elias Lyman Coal Company. Transportstion, closely allied with his other enterprises, has become an important factor in Mr. Patrick's operations, and he is a director of the Boston & Maine Railroad; treasurer of the St. Johnsbury & Lake Champlain Railroad; director of the Montpelier & Wells River Railroad, and a director of the Barre & Chelsea Railroad. In all of these functions Mr. Patrick has demonstrated his skill, ingenuity, and capacity for difficult labor, and has assumed many other roles in his life outside of industry and commerce. He is a firm believer in higher education for the youth of this land, and serves well and wisely as a trustee of the University of Vermont. In social, fraternal, and civic movements Mr. Patrick is a figure of repute, being a member of Burlington Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Burlington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Cornmandery, Knights Templar, and Mt. Sinai Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also is a member of Burlington Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Ethan Allen Club; the Burlington Country Club; the Yacht Club, and of the First Congregational Church.
Many of his civic duties he discharges through his membership in the Rotary Club, at one time having been president of that organization. Politics, too, have received meritorious attention from Mr. Patrick, he being a member of the Republican party. His leadership therein was demonstrated in 1924 when he was sent as a delegate to the National Republican Convention. He is a member of the Board of Aldermen of Burlinton and served his term from 1920-24. Mr. Patrick is fond of out-of-door life and finds his rest and recreation in hunting and fishing.(2)
It has undergone renovations twice to improve the facility for athletes and spectators.
In 1982, new bleachers were added, improving the fans proximity to the court.
In 1990, new lighting and a new wooden floor were installed to give Patrick Gym one of the top playing surfaces in the East.
As well as being the home court of the University of Vermont basketball program, Patrick Gym is also the site for a wide variety of athletic and non-athletic events. The gym is just one part of the vast University of Vermont athletic complex. Other events that have been held at Patrick Gym include the 1976 US Olympic Boxing Trials (featuring Sugar Ray Leonard, and Michael and Leon Spinks), several NBA exhibition games, the 2004 Boston Celtics training camp, several concerts featuring the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Bill Cosby, the Grateful Dead, Bob Hope, and guest speakers including former President Gerald Ford.
Through the years some of basketball's best have played at Patrick Gym including Basketball Hall of Famers Julius Erving, John Havlicek, Billy Cunningham, Hal Greer and Sam Jones. Also more recent stars such as Vin Baker, Herb Williams, Reggie Lewis and Chamique Holdsclaw have graced the Patrick Gym hardwood.(1)
Jerry performed here on
5/6/78 Grateful Dead
1.)^http://uvmathletics.com/sports/2010/6/8/MBB_0608100941.aspx
2.)^Eddleman, Carol, 2011-08-02, http://www.pa-roots.org/data/read.php?3323,696193
(Source: The Vermont of Today: with its historic background, attractions and people, by Arthur F. Stone, Vol. III, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1929, p. 26-7.)
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