Gillis Field House is a 3,500-seat, multi-purpose

arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

West Point, New York West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. Located on the Hudson River in New York, West Point was identified by General George Washington as the most important strategic position in America during the Ame ...

. It was home to the

United States Military Academy The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high groun ...

Army Black Knights men's basketball The Army Black Knights men's basketball team represents the United States Military Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball. Army currently competes as a member of the Patriot League and plays its ...

team until

Christl Arena Christl Arena is a 5,043-seat, multi-purpose arena in West Point, New York. It was built in 1985 as part of the Major Donald W. Holleder Center, which also houses Tate Rink. It is home to the United States Military Academy's Army Black Knights ...

opened in 1985. Currently, Gillis Field House is the home of the Black Knights' track and field and volleyball teams. Gillis Field House is fully equipped with locker rooms for both teams and also features coaches offices and a fully equipped training room.

History

Gillis Field House is named for Maj. William G. Gillis. As a member of the West Point Class of 1941, cadet lieutenant Gillis was captain of the 1940 football team and a three-year track letterman. He was killed in action October 1, 1944 in Gremercy Forest in France during

WW II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. When he died, Gillis was married to Lenore Riley Mudge. Gillis received the

Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...

Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...

, Bronze Star, two

Purple Heart The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, w ...

s, as well as the British Distinguished Service Order, and France’s Croix De Guerre, Silver Gilt and Vermillion Star. Carleton R. Crowell took over the reins of the Army track and field program in 1952 and continued Army's long string of success on the track. One of the most beloved coaches at West Point, Crowell guided Army teams to 351 victories and a dozen Heptagonal championships - five indoors, three outdoors and four in cross country. All but one indoor and outdoor track and field record was shattered during his 25-year tenure.

Track

Located within Gills Field House, Crowell Track is the home of Army's indoor track & field team. Crowell track features a six-lane (eight on the straightaway), 200-meter, mondo-surface oval track. This lightning-fast track incorporates the same surface as the tracks used in the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games. The facility is also equipped with two jumping pits, mondo pole vault runway with new UCS 1900 landing system and a mondo high jump apron with UCS landing mats. There is an indoor throwing cage and sector, as well as throwing nets to allow for discus and hammer practice.

Baseball and softball

During baseball and softball's offseason period, spacious Gillis Field House transforms into the Black Knights' part-time diamond. The recently renovated field house features a Beynon track surface, three indoor pitching mounds, two pitching machines, batting cages, and a fully equipped weight room.http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&ATCLID=324131

Notes

References

External links

Venue information
{{Army Black Knights men's basketball navbox Army Black Knights men's basketball Defunct college basketball venues in the United States College indoor track and field venues in the United States College volleyball venues in the United States Indoor arenas in New York (state) Indoor track and field venues in New York (state) Volleyball venues in New York (state) Sports venues in Orange County, New York Sports venues completed in 1938 1938 establishments in New York (state)