Past Rattlers reminded students of the importance of the historic Gaither Gymnasium.
In February 2009, the Florida A&M Boosters held a farewell weekend in honor of Gaither Gymnasium being used for the last time.
“The crowd, the students and the enthusiasm that took place,” said Mickey Clayton, executive director of Rattler Boosters.
“I think the students and the crowd got a real good sense of what they had just witnessed…the last basketball game in Gaither Gym.”
More than just a building, Gaither has served as the cornerstone of athletic activity since its completion in 1963.
Named after legendary Hall of Fame football coach and athletic director, Jake Gaither, the complex has been home to several championships, including a women’s conference basketball championship tournament in 1986, and a NCAA Volleyball Regional Tournament with the University of Florida and Stanford University.
“[Gaither] is a special place for a lot of fans and former athletes,” said Alvin Hollins assistant athletic director for media relations.
The physical education department, intramurals and volleyball are just a few of the programs that still use Gaither’s facilities even today for practices and games.
“It is more than just a sports arena. It is probably one of the original multi-purpose facilities before we built the new one.”
Named after legendary Hall of Fame football coach and athletic director, Jake Gaither, the complex has been home to several championships, including a women’s conference basketball championship tournament in 1986, and a NCAA Volleyball Regional Tournament with the University of Florida and Stanford University.
According to Clayton, before the new Multi-Purpose Gym was built, athletes would have to go off campus to practice during important events such as homecoming when Gaither was occupied.
Hollins went even further, stating that before Gaither was built, FAMU used military-installed, corrugated steel aircraft hangars to practice.
“Gaither is a big part of FAMU history,” Hollins said. “A lot of folks, prior to this year, would probably say coming to Gaither for step shows or basketball games was a big part of their on-campus life.”
Clayton emphasized the importance of students knowing the history of Gaither Gym and the university as well.
“Especially the students who have the ability to look at the here and now, but not really look at how we got to the here and now,” Clayton said. “[Students] have to know these things to be able to understand the school.”
Former Miss FAMU and basketball player Cynthia Williams, class of 1987, reminisced on how privileged she is that Jake Gaither was alive during her tenure at Florida A&M.
“There’s just something about having him come before you and tell you how to represent the Rattlers,” Williams said.
Williams said the building was representative of not only an era, but also a very important figure in Florida A&M history.
“Hopefully students will learn and understand the path that these people set before us. I think that I am the person I am today because of my experiences and contacts with people such as [Gaither],” Williams said.