Closson Center

Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa
The Eugene E. and Julia Travis Closson Physical Education Center, also referred to as the Closson Center, was named to honor Eugene E. Closson who actively supported Graceland's athletic teams throughout the years. Mr. Closson taught psychology [called mental hygiene in the 1930's], history and philosophy at Graceland from 1931 to 1959. His name was selected by a committee of faculty that was chaired by Herbert Lively, directory of development. Graceland President William T. "Bill" Higdon made the announcement during halftime of the 1968 homecoming football game.

In the year 2006, Eugene's wife, Julia "Judy" (Travis) Closson, had her name added to the Closson Center's name. Judy, who was a 1926 Graceland graduate, was a pioneer in women's athletics and physical education at Graceland between 1931-59. Judy's contribution to women's athletics at Graceland - achievements not noted in the record books because she and her young women athletes competed unofficially (for recreation, exercise and fellowship), first within the Graceland Girl's Athletic Club when Judy participated as a student in the mid-1920s. From 1927-30 she taught English, History and Girl's P.E. at Lamoni High School. When she joined the Graceland faculty in 1933, she quickly transferred the GGAC into the national organization of the Women's Athletic Association, which offered the only way women could receive an athletic letter. By achieving 200 points in various sports, the athlete could gain entrance into the "G" Club and attain her letter. She promoted competitions between Graceland women and female athletes from area high schools (this was a good Graceland recruiting tool) and she created a number of recreational activities for both men and women students. She taught women the modern game of basketball and coached field games and track and field. She even had her women wear shorts rather than bloomers.

Architect John Shaver and Company of Salina, Kansas was selected by the Board of Trustees to design the new physical education building. Five bids were placed for the construction project with the general contractor assignment awarded to Lawhon Construction Company out of St. Joseph, Missouri. The mechanical contract was awarded to H. G. Brown of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Charles Bednall of St. Joseph, Missouri was named the electrical contractor.

At 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 1967, a groundbreaking ceremony was held.

The facility was built at a cost of $1,360,000 with approximately 25% financed from college funds and 42% financed through a Title III federal government loan. Approximately $340,00 was financed with a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Varsity sports events began informally taking place in the center on January 20, 1969. The first game played on the court was a high school contest during which Lamoni defeated Melcher-Dallas 45-43, thus winning the conference title on January 25, 1969. Graceland's first game on the new court was played against Missouri Valley on Saturday, February 1, 1969 before an overflowing crowd of 1,100. The Yellowjackets claimed a victory with a final score of 93-73.

The Closson Center was dedicated on Sunday, April 13, 1969. Preceding the program, there was an open house from 1:30 to 3:00 with displays of synchronized swimming, diving, folk and modern dancing, gymnastics, fencing, karate, badminton, tennis, volleyball and basketball.

With the opening of Closson Center, which replaced the 40-year-old gym facilities in Zimmerman Hall, Graceland had a full-sized basketball court for the first time in her history.

The center encompasses 65,000 square-feet and is located south of Zimmerman Hall and Platz-Mortimore Science Hall. One of the most distinctive landmarks in southern Iowa, it appears like a giant covered wagon over the campus.

The roof is suspended by three huge arches, between of which is a network of steel cables covered with wire mesh. On top of the mesh is a water-repellent insulation and three layers of rubbery compound to assure that the roof is waterproof. The innermost layer of the roof contains rigid insulating panels and is covered with nine coats of polyurethane foam. The lowest portion of the roof is approximately 10 feet while the highest point is approximately 60 feet tall.
The gym floor contains five courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis with a 200-meter track running inside the gym's perimeter. Movable bleachers can provide a seating capacity of 2,000 spectators.

The service portion of the Closson Center, 18,000 square feet, is located at the northeast portion of the center and includes a racquetball court, a wrestling room, a multipurpose room, and adaptive room, showers, storage area and eight offices. The Yellowjacket Hall of Fame photographs are on display at the upper level.
A regulation-sized six-lane swimming pool, measuring 72' x 42', is located to the south of the service portion. It features a spacious sunning deck on the south side. The pool also features high and low diving boards and an underwater window. Early plans were made for a facility with a convertible roof, then later an outdoor facility with a permanent roof. Although there had been no accidents, during the summer of 1988, nearly 20 years after the Closson Center opened, the diving boards were replaced after it was discovered that they were six inches too short according to state regulations. At the same time the underwater window area was sealed off with a trap door and its spiral stairway was removed.

The Closson Center al so has what is known as the "Blue Gold Room" in the east portion of the facility. It was conceived of in 1980, modeled after a recruiting office at a Colorado state university. It was used for the first time in 1981, serving as a recruiting room.  
 
 
SOURCES: Goehner, David. "The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z." Pp. 87-88. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997. graceland.edu/About-GU/History; graceland.edu/campus-life/walkerhall.cfm; "No Name Change is Necessary, but . . . . Closson Center Gets New Name." Horizons. Vol. 22, No. 2, p. 15. Lamoni IA. Spring/Summer 2006; Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Venture Foundation. Pp. 74, 86, 90. Lamoni, IA. 1972. Transcriptions and compilation by Sharon R. Becker, December 2015.

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These pages have been updated and reformatted by Conni McDaniel Hall, October 2019
 
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