West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

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' )(i ytdVQ (B mnaslum. The need of a new gymnasium here has been felt for many years, in fact the gymnasium that we now have has never been large enough to supply the needs of a student body one-tenth as large as we now have. Physical train- ing is a strange term here because there has never been a place for more than fifty men at a time. These conditions were so forcibly impressed on those in charge that plans have been made and perfected for one of the most complete gymna- siums in this section of the country. The site of the building will be on the corner of Prospect and High streets, easily accessible to the present athletic field. The building should be up-to-date in every respect with lockers to accommodate a large number of students in excess of what is now enrolled. The large floor will hold a basket ball court twice as large as the present one in the Ark and also bleachers to accommodate five thousand spectators, some idea of the size of the building can be obtained from the fact that the indoor track shall be only eleven laps to the mile. The style of architecture shall conform to the general plan of the newer buildings will be fireproof throughout. Swimming pools will be located in the rear of the building, a separate pool for the men and for the women. The height of the building shall be four stories with the main playing floor on the second with the bleachers running into the upper floors. It shall contain the offices of the director of athletics and the coaches. It is not definitely known as to what time the building will be completed but it would be safe to predict that it will not be longer than two years. 12 e

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MONTicoiAi jpropose6 ew building (Campaign. At the beginning of the World War the enrollment of West Virginia University began to grow by leaps and bounds and the necessity for more buildings, for several years apparent, became critical. Class rooms were to be found in every nook and cranny and all classes were too large for efficient work by the instructors. The cry went up from the students, profess- ors and everyone connected with the school for mo re room and their cry was heard. In 1919, through the efforts of President Frank B. Trotter and the State Board of Control, measures were passed by the State legislative bodies appro- priating sums of money for a new law building, a gymnasium which has been needed here for years, and a new chemistry building. These appropriations were for ample sums and the buildings are to be constructed to take care of what is thought to be a possible maximum enrollment. On the following pages may be found the pictures along with descriptions of the buildings that are to be constructed and ground has already been broken for the law build- ing. With these three new buildings the congestion will be somewhat relieved but it will only be a matter of a very short time before new buildings will be needed for the music school and the department of education. The building containing the medical school w as built only recently but these courses have become so popular that it is overflowing and students are being turned aw ay. The present athletic field has long been inadequate and ground has been broken under and below the Sunnyside Bridge for a new one. A large con- crete drain has been constructed to take care of the water of Falling Run and a part of the ground has been leveled. It is not definitely known as to what sort of construction this will be but we think that we would not be far amiss if we were to state that before very many football seasons roll by, the alumni and undergrads may be seated in the West Virginia Stadium with a seating capacity of twenty five thousand and our famous splinter stadium will be laid to rest. Let us all boost for our new buildings, new stadium and Greater West Virginia University. 3

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