Named in honor of John D. Rockeller, IV, president of the college from1973-1975. Rockefeller went on to be the 29th Governor of West Virginia (1977-1985) and also a U.S. Senator from 1985-2015.
This facility was opened in 1974, and was the center of all things athletics, including the growth in womens teams as Title IX took effect on June 23, 1972. It served as the host for the first two West Virginia High School Girls Baskeball Tournaments.
The cost of the building was $4.5 million for the entire building (including the Barnhart Memorial Health Center)
- Larson and Larson, Architects
- Named for former president John D. Rockefeller, IV
- Cornerstone Laying Ceremony Friday, October 25th at 4:00, which was also the Dedication Ceremony. Participants included:
- Hal Latimer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (and Future president of the college)
- Dr. C. Ross Culpepper, ’30 gave the Invocation
- Dr. G. I. Rohrbough, ’23, Trustee emeritus who had been instrumental in the construction of the building
- Professor Caroline Dees provided music
- Dr. Stanley H. Martin, President Emeritus
- David Reemsnyder, ’30 – Past Director of Athletics and Faculty Emeritus
- James K. Myers, ’49 on behalf of the Department of Health and Physical Education
- Samuel M. Ross, ’52, Director of Athletics spoke on behalf of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Olive Culpepper, ’33, member of the Board of Trustees, delivered the Dedicatory Prayer
- Music was provided by the WVWC Marching Band under the direction of Professor David Milburn
At first, students referred to it as The New Gym. After many years of service, this building is now often referred to by current students as The Rock.