Rose Hill Gymnasium reached its 100th anniversary on Jan. 16, marking a milestone as one of the oldest active gymnasiums in the United States.
The celebration kicked off with a special event during a basketball game against the University of Massachusetts that led into triple overtime. Students, alumni, faculty and staff gathered to honor the gym’s presence over the course of several games, including women’s basketball on Jan. 18.
This event was organized and promoted by Fordham Athletics. During the game, attendees were treated to commemorative giveaways such as t-shirts, limited-edition sweatshirts and Coca-Cola beverages.
“Seeing students, alumni, and fans engage with the history and share their personal connections to the gym has been truly rewarding,” said Eilish Devine, assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions. “It’s been amazing to watch this milestone spark so much pride and excitement across campus.”
“Anytime you have a nationally recognized historic athletic facility on a campus, it keeps you in conversations,” said Charles Guthrie, director of Fordham Athletics. “Rose Hill has always been a place where Fordham’s spirit is on display, and it’s a great opportunity for brand awareness. Whether it’s Rose Hill or the Rose Bowl, the connection is clear.”
The history of Rose Hill Gymnasium is deeply connected with the university’s growth. Initially, during World War II, the building was used as a U.S Army barracks. However, it was repurposed and opened as a gym on Jan.16, 1925, following the vision of architect Emile G. Perrot. On its opening day, the Fordham basketball team had their first game and defeated Boston College with a score of 46-16.
Since then, the Rose Hill Gym has been the place of countless significant moments in Fordham’s history.
Marianny Solis, FCRH ’26, said, “The [anniversary] game was really close, and at one point, we all stood up to cheer for Fordham. The activities really brought us all closer as students, faculty, and players. It felt like we were all part of something bigger.”
As Fordham looks towards the future, “Rose Hill will continue to be a unifying location for the campus as a whole and a historic place in which our alumni and greater NYC can come together and cheer on the Rams,” Guthrie says. “It’s a true home court advantage!”
