Memorial Gymnasium - Rushville Lions

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

Memorial Gymnasium 1201 Lions Path Rushville, IN 46173

Rushville High School website

Memorial Gymnasium website

Year Opened: 1926

Capacity: 2,600

---

A Century of High School Basketball in Rushville

Memorial Gymnasium in Rushville, Indiana, has been a centerpiece of high school basketball for a century. Today, it serves as the home court for the Rushville Consolidated High School Lions. Despite being 100 years old, the 2,600-seat gym remains in excellent condition, having been carefully preserved over the decades. 

The gymnasium’s origins date back to 1925, when community leaders formed the Rushville High School Athletic Corporation to raise funds for a dedicated basketball facility. Through the sale of special bonds, the group collected $27,000 toward the project. 

The gym was completed the following year at a total cost of $80,000 and was fully paid off by 1944 using revenue from ticket sales. Originally designed to seat 5,000 spectators, the venue was renovated in 1988, reducing its capacity to about half that number. The first varsity game was held on February 5, 1926, in front of 4,000 spectators with a 32-21 victory over Greensburg.

Memorial Gymnasium quickly became an important venue for tournament play, hosting sectional games from 1926 to 1971, regional contests from 1926 to 1958, and county tournaments from 1926 to 1968. Its presence elevated Rushville’s status as a basketball destination for many years.

Both the boys’ basketball programs experienced tremendous success while calling the gym home. They captured 56 sectional titles, 19 regional championships, and one semi-state title. The boys’ team made its only state finals appearance in 1976, falling in a close 82–76 game to Marion High School. 

Meanwhile, the ladies have won a state record 33 sectional championship titles, with 18 consecutive between 1980 and 1997. They reached the championship game four times, most recently in 2010, when the fell to Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran 59-48.

In addition, the gym played an important role in student life, housing physical education classes when the original high school was located six blocks away. One of its most unusual features was a rifle range beneath the north bleachers, where participants would lie prone and shoot at targets—an uncommon but memorable use of the facility.

Food & Beverage 3

There is a concession stand in the lobby that offers freshly popped popcorn. Fans can grab a bag from the machine while waiting in line, then grab a bottle of Pepsi products before heading to the main stand for more items. These food options include soft pretzels, hot dogs, candy, and Pizza King pizza by the slice. These food options include soft pretzels, hot dogs, candy, and Pizza King pizza by the slice. All food options are in the price range of $2 to $4, and they accept cash and credit cards.

Atmosphere 3

What Memorial Gym lacks in size, it more than compensates for with charm and a sense of history. It stands as a classic example of gymnasiums from an earlier era, once common before the sprawling facilities of the 1950s and 1960s became the norm.

The small-town atmosphere is unmistakable in the moments leading up to the varsity game. The band assembles on the stage while fans drift in from the main entrance, making their way to their seats. The anticipation builds steadily—soon, it will be time for tip-off.

The varsity team charges onto the court, followed closely by cheerleaders waving flags. The crowd rises as one, clapping and cheering for the Lions. The band erupts with energy as players are introduced over the P.A. system. Home supporters fill much of the seating, visiting fans gather in their designated section, and the student section packs in behind the baskets opposite the stage.

The bleachers, crafted from blonde wood and meticulously maintained, form a horseshoe that rises 15 rows from the floor. Though modest in size, the seating arrangement creates an ideal basketball environment. When the crowd comes alive, the intensity is palpable, giving the home team a formidable advantage.

Near the entrance, a glass display case preserves memorabilia from the former Rush County schools, with items dating back to the 1930s. Gym shoes, varsity sweaters, belted shorts, photographs, and the Good Luck Horseshoe—once awarded to the Rush County Tournament champion—offer a tangible connection to the past. Above the entryway, the original gymnasium blueprint serves as a final reminder of the building’s enduring legacy.

Neighborhood 3

The gymnasium is in a residential neighborhood one mile north of downtown; there are a few places to visit before the game. The revitalized area features 19th-century buildings and includes Fish Moon Brewing. The popular gathering places offer IPAs and pub food, and across the street is the Princess Theatre (built in 1917), which shows movies and concerts. Pizza King is one of my guilty pleasures; their pies are cracker-thin and can be served with crumbled sausage or pepperoni.

Just north of the gymnasium are fast food chains and restaurants; however, there are a couple of local places worth visiting. Just Rite serves burgers, chicken sandwiches, tenderloins, and salads. Mezcal Bar & Grill offers a full bar and generous servings of Mexican cuisine.

Fans 4

The fans quickly fill their seats inside the gymnasium and stand and cheer for the team as they march onto the playing court. The game has been embedded in the community for over a century, and generations of fans have attended games in the facility since 1926. There are many stories to pass on to a younger audience, and the mix of people inside varies in age.

Access 3

The town of Rushville is located 40 miles southwest of Indianapolis on SR-52, a very nice drive through a few small towns in the state. The city is also 17 miles from I-74 at the Shelbyville exit. Inside, the arena access is quite efficient, and bathrooms and concessions are located in the lobby.

Return on Investment 3

The price of an adult ticket is $6, along the same lines as many other high school basketball gymnasiums, and well worth the price of admission. The concession prices are low, and whenever you can watch a game in a historic facility, it is always well worth the investment.

Extras 4

The gymnasium is in magnificent condition; the seats are refurbished, the lighting is sharp, the floor was installed in 2025, and the sightlines are extra close. The exterior is in spotless condition as well after 90 years of high school basketball.

The court is named after former women's coach Cinda Rice Brown. She coached the Lady Lions to a 448-109 record between 1969 and 2000. Her teams captured 33 sectional championships (a record 18 straight) and made three state finals appearances during her tenure. The court was named in her honor in 2016.

It is among the oldest gymnasiums still being used for high school basketball in the state of Indiana, perhaps even the country. The intimacy and proximity of the stands to the court provide a time capsule to the old-fashioned design of gyms of yesteryear.

The Lions offer free gameday programs. They are filled with local ads and players' stats, and provide a nice keepsake from the game.

Final Thoughts

Memorial Gymnasium is the second-oldest facility still in regular use for high school basketball in the state of Indiana. After 90 years of service, the place is in fantastic condition and a pleasant diversion for a comfortable night of basketball. Many of these facilities are no longer in use and lie vacant, only for us to imagine what it must have been like; fortunately, that is not the case here in Rushville.