10/14/2009 6:00:00 PM VICKERS/Old EC gym to be renovated
By OVID VICKERS
The original gymnasium on the East Central Community College campus was constructed in1930 and is now known as Founders Gym. The building has sat unused for a number of years, and age and deterioration have taken their toll on this campus landmark. However, there was a time when this gymnasium witnessed local, regional and state basketball games, both high school and college level.
Plans are currently underway to completely refurbish the "Old Gym" and restore it to a viable, useful building. An architect has submitted plans for renovation, and a campaign has begun to secure the funds necessary to restore the building so that the historic structure will once again serve a useful purpose.
The building, one of the first brick gymnasiums built in east central Mississippi, has served the college and community in many ways. Originally, the gym contained a stage and was used as an auditorium as well as a gym. At one time physical education was required of all students at East Central, and those classes were taught in the old gym.
In 1936, Newton County celebrated the centennial of the county's founding. (The county had been a part of Neshoba County until 1836.) The ceremonies and festivities to mark the occasion were held in the East Central gym. Dr. L. O. Todd, President of the college, spoke, and Mrs. Nellie Neill Cross sang "America the Beautiful." The program was directed by Mrs. Stella Newsome, and various communities presented skits depicting outstanding events in the county's history.
Until 1953, when Huff Auditorium was built, all graduations for East Central Junior College were held in the gymnasium. May Day was celebrated on the afternoon of graduation day; and if rain clouds threatened the festivities, the May Queen and her court were moved into the gym.
For many years in springtime, students transformed the old gym into a dream world. Paper moons and silver stars glittered overhead while festooned gazebos and crepe paper flower gardens surrounded the dance floor. For one magic night each year, students danced in formal attire surrounded by music and soft lights, believing at least for a few magic hours that they would be forever young.
The first musical presented at East Central was "The Belle of Barcelona" which was performed on the stage of the old gym. Three of the leading characters were Marion Graham Thornton, Fred Ray Blocker, and Edna Ruth Prince Pascal.
The gymnasium has not always been a place of merrymaking and spirited basketball games. In the past, a double funeral was conducted in the building for two people who were killed in an automobile accident. Another tragedy occurred one night in the 1940s when a man became so excited at a basketball game that he died of a heart attack under the south goal as he walked out of the gym.
Until a new Armory was constructed in the early 1960s, the Mississippi National Guard maintained offices in the gymnasium. During inclement weather, classes for Guardsmen were held on the actual court. During two wars (World War II and the Korean Conflict, orders were signed in this building activating the local Guard unit.
Additional seating for approximately 500 people was added to the south end of the gymnasium in 1951. This addition was needed to accommodate the fans who came to see the brilliant playing exhibited by teams that were coached by Arno Vincent and Clayton Blount. These two coaches took teams all the way from East Central to the National Junior College Basketball tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.
For about twenty years, the State "Double B" Basketball Tournament was held at East Central. For a week in February, people from as far north as Iuka and as far south as Hancock County converged on Decatur to cheer for their high school teams.
Two Southeastern Conference coaches played basketball in this gym. Sue Gunter (now deceased) coached women's basketball at Louisiana State University and Van Chancellor, who coached at the University of Mississippi, both played basketball at East Central. Sam Retigulano, who played both basketball and football while a student at East Central is now the retired head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
When the new gymnasium, which is named for two East Central players and coaches, Denver Brackeen and Lucille Wood, was constructed in 1970, the old gymnasium was used for intramural games and weight training. In truth, although maintained to some degree, the building has been largely unused for the past 38 years.
The rules of the game have changed. Men and women who wore black and gold warm-ups with an Indian head on the back now have gray hair and grandchildren. But they remember the gym, the games, the fans, and the cheers. Others remember participating in plays, dances, May Day celebrations, and the many other events which took place in the gym.
Certainly, this building which was a major sports facility in East Mississippi for so many years deserves to be renovated and to stand as a lasting tribute to all those teams from 1930 to 1970 who exhibited the talent and sportsmanship which have been for so long a major part of athletics at East Central Community College.
