Operator Fordham University Opened 16 January 1925 Owner Fordham University | Surface Hardwood Capacity 3,200 | |
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Location Fordham University
Bronx, NY 10458 Team Fordham Rams men's basketball Similar Carnesecca Arena, Generoso Pope Athletic C, Tom Gola Arena, Spiro Sports Center, Steinberg Wellness Center | ||
Rose Hill Gymnasium is a 3,200-seat multi-purpose arena on the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University in The Bronx, New York City, New York. The arena, which opened in 1925, is the oldest on-campus venue currently in use by a NCAA Division I basketball team and the second-oldest overall, with the oldest being Matthews Arena used by Northeastern University, which opened in 1910. It also houses the volleyball and women's basketball teams.
At the time it was built, it was one of the largest on-campus facilities in the country, earning it the nickname "The Prairie." The Rose Hill Gymnasium has been the site of many legendary college and high school basketball games, including the final high school game of Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. During World War II, it was also used as a barracks. New York City Mayor Ed Koch lived in these barracks for a time. As early as 1970 an effort, headed by famed Fordham alumnus Vince Lombardi, was made to build a new arena. This effort ended with Lombardi's death and the move of head basketball coach "Digger" Phelps to the University of Notre Dame.
