The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Moray L. Eby Fieldhouse

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Institution Name: Coe College
Original/Historic Place Name: Men’s Gymnasium
Location on Campus: Northern boundary of campus
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1929-1930	original construction Graham, Anderson, Probst & White Brown, William Jay
1965	addition Unknown
1980	addition Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick; cut stone (trim)

Roof: wood; rubberized membrane

Function:

1930-present (2007)	other (social functions)
1930-present (2007)	other (R.O.T.C.)
1930-present (2007)	gymnasium (Physical Education & Athletic departments with weight room and climbing wall)
1980-present (2007)	other (pool)
ca. 2004-present (2007)	classrooms
ca. 2004-present (2007)	faculty offices

Significance: culture, education, history
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
The Men's Gymnasium, constructed in 1929-1930, was a large building for its time, especially for Coe College's campus. It is hard to write about Coe's 1930, $325,000 gymnasium in 2003 and truly appreciate the significance it held for the college community. Those who inspected the building upon completion called it one of the best and finest athletic complexes not only in Iowa but in the United States.

Throughout the years the Men's Gymnasium expanded and changed. In 1965, an annex was added to the west side, and in 1980 a natatorium to the east. One of the most significant changes to the building, however, was not a physical change. After the death of one of Coe College's greatest coaches, Moray L. Eby, the college decided to name the Men's Gymnasium after him. Mr. Eby died in 1958 shortly after he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in St. Petersburg, Florida. He had a lifetime football coaching record of 131 victories, 77 defeats, and 17 ties. Nationwide attention was given to Coe as a result of his first coaching season with his "point-a-minute" football team.

From the first basketball game held in the Men's Gymnasium up until recent athletic competitions, Eby Fieldhouse has seen great athletes pass through Coe College. This great building located at the north end of campus has withstood the test of time and will continue to be the heart of great athletics at Coe College.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Douma, Grace Hartzell. Coe Courier, Centennial Edition. Cedar Rapids, IA: Coe College, 1951.

Henry, George T. Coe College: A Sesquicentennial Look Through 50 Years of George Henry Photography. Cedar Rapids, IA: WDG Communications, 2000.

Henry, George T. Photographs of Coe College Campus and Buildings. Stewart Memorial Library Archives, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA.

Laugen, Jack, and Florence Winkler. Coe at 125. Cedar Rapids, IA: Coe College Development Office, 1976.

Voorhees, Oscar M. Ralph and Elizabeth Rodman Voorhees: A Tribute. New York: Tribute Press, 1927.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections