Swenson Gym

{{Short description|Weber State University gymnasium in Ogden, Utah}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}}  {{Infobox venue | nickname = | image = | image_size = | caption = | location = Ogden, Utah, U.S. | coordinates = {{Coord|41|11|27|N|111|56|31|W|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-UT}} | mapframe = no | address = 1356–1372 East 4100 South | broke_ground = | opened = {{start date and age|1962}} | closed = | demolished = | renovated = 2006 | owner = Weber State University | operator = | construction_cost = | architect = | former_names = Wildcat Gym | tenants = | seating_capacity = 1,200 (current)<br>5,000 (former, approx.) | website = }}

'''Reed K. Swenson Gym''' (originally '''Wildcat Gym''') is a 1,200-seat gymnasium in the western United States, on the campus of Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. It is currently the home of Weber State Wildcats women's volleyball team of the Big Sky Conference.

Built {{time ago|1962}} in 1962 as Weber State's primary indoor venue, it was succeeded by the new Dee Events Center in autumn 1977. All three teams (men's and women's basketball, volleyball) moved to the Dee, leaving the gym without a varsity tenant. It was renovated in 2006 to accommodate volleyball, with its seating capacity significantly reduced. It is named for Reed Knute Swenson (1903–1989), the head basketball coach at Weber from 1933 to 1957 and longtime athletic director.<ref name=hoffks>{{cite news |url=https://weberstatesports.com/hof.aspx?hof=7 |publisher=Weber State University Athletics |title=Hall of Fame: Reed K. Swenson |accessdate=April 17, 2021}}</ref>

The gym hosted the inaugural Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament in 1976;<ref name=tpfr>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2JBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2840%2C111224|work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho|agency=Associated Press |title=Top four head for tourney |date=March 1, 1976 |page=2B}}</ref><ref name=wbhos>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LvNLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=de0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6383%2C133107 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |title=Weber hosts Sky playoffs |date=March 1, 1976 |page=16}}</ref><ref name=windrw>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uqQqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vVsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7073%2C114862 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |title=Wildcats win tourney 'draw' |date=March 1, 1976 |page=B7}}</ref><ref name=bsfud>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VP4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=730DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4188%2C1168892 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Blodgett |first=Gary R. |title=Big Sky feud: Weber-Boise State |date=March 6, 1976 |page=6A}}</ref><ref name=wbboiadv>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3ZBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2739%2C1496986 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Weber, Boise advance in Big Sky |date=March 6, 1976 |page=2B}}</ref> the host Wildcats lost the title game in double overtime to Boise State, with an attendance of 4,679.<ref name=bfreb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wKQqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vVsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7020%2C1499626 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Blodgett |first=Gary R. |title=Boise faces tough Rebels |date=March 8, 1976 |page=C3}}</ref><ref name=brbsaow>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3pBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3288%2C1867774 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Boise rules Big Sky after overtime win |date=March 7, 1976 |page=1B}}</ref>

The final men's basketball game was on February 12, 1977, a twelve-point win over Gonzaga before 4,941;<ref name=widop>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3U9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4402%2C3329137 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Big Sky chase still wide open |date=February 14, 1977 |page=13}}</ref> the Bulldogs were winless in fifteen annual attempts at Wildcat Gym,<ref name=eembe>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FLdSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TYADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2747%2C3142385 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Benson |first=Lee |title=Era ends...maybe |date=February 14, 1977 |page=B2}}</ref> but did upset Weber State by a point a week later in Spokane to foil their title hopes.<ref name=wgati>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GrdSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TYADAAAAIBAJ&pg=7083%2C4955151 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |title=Weber gives away title |date=February 21, 1977 |page=B5}}</ref><ref name=zsuw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9vxHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7PgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5287%2C1161744 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |last=English |first=Sue |title=Zags savor upset win |date=February 21, 1977 |page=15}}</ref> Two weeks later at the conference tournament in Pocatello, the 'Cats returned the favor with a one-point win over the Zags in the semifinals.<ref name=wisbt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-9BSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IX8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6627%2C1364371 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Benson |first=Lee |title=Weber, Idaho State battle |date=March 5, 1977 |page=6A}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://static.weberstatesports.com/custompages/facilities/swenson-gym.html Weber State University Athletics: Swenson Gym]

Category:College basketball venues in Utah Category:Defunct college basketball venues in the United States Category:Weber State Wildcats men's basketball Category:Sports venues in Ogden, Utah Category:Sports venues completed in 1962 Category:University and college buildings and structures completed in 1962 Category:1962 establishments in Utah