| Langton Hall, originally called the Men’s Gymnasium, was completed in 1915 for use in men’s athletics and assemblies. Though completed in 1915, OSU lacked the funds necessary to equip the building appropriately. During the 1916-1917 school year, the newly appointed Director of Athletics, A.D. Browne, had this to say.
“The gymnasium building provides ample space for all indoor activities, but much of the work is ineffectively carried on, on account of inadequate facilities. There is great need for gymnasium and wrestling mats, apparatus, lockers, and a drying room. The unfurnished rooms now used regularly for departmental work should be completed and furnished to meet the needs of the men. No system of physical education is complete without a swimming pool, and the students of O. A. C. are deserving of a pool that will be adequate for teaching swimming to all and conducting an extensive program of aquatic activities.” (Biennial Reports 1916-17, pg 83)
In 1920 his wish was granted when the institution provided more than $85,000 for the completion of the gym, as well as the swimming pool Browne had requested. During the same year a bronze statue called “The Runner” was erected outside of the gymnasium. It was one first pieces of art to decorate the OSU campus.
The Men’s Gymnasium was home to the Beaver’s basketball games and commencement ceremonies until the completion of Gill Coliseum in 1950. In 1974 the building was renamed Langton Hall after Clair V. Langton, head of health and physical education from 1928 to 1964. Today the building is home to intramural sports offices and the department of exercise and sports science. It also is used for physical education classes and is the wrestler training facility. |
