Steeped In Basketball Tradition - News and Weather For The Quad Cities -

Steeped In Basketball Tradition

Updated:
  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:25:36 GMT
    Update 6-18-13: Davenport police say an autopsy on the victim, Douglas Whalen, shows the cause of his death was from a blunt force injury to the head. According to police, Whalen was involved in an altercation
    Update 6-18-13: Davenport police say an autopsy on the victim, Douglas Whalen, shows the cause of his death was from a blunt force injury to the head. According to police, Whalen was involved in an altercation
  • Monday, June 17 2013 3:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 19:20:43 GMT
    A father and son are dead after a motorcycle crash in Colona, Ill., on Friday afternoon, June 14, 2013.Officers say it happened around 2:00 p.m., at the intersection of US 6 and Illinois 84, when a Buick
    A father and son are dead after a motorcycle crash in Colona, Ill., on Friday afternoon, June 14, 2013.Officers say it happened around 2:00 p.m., at the intersection of US 6 and Illinois 84, when a Buick
  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:30:35 GMT
    Jeep dealers, including those in the Quad Cities area, are waiting on details on a massive recall just announced Tuesday. After first refusing a request from government regulators Chrysler will now
    Jeep dealers, including those in the Quad Cities area, are waiting on details on a massive recall just announced Tuesday.

It is charming in its own special way. George Marshall Gymnasium is one of the classic basketball arenas in the Quad Cities. It is home to the Davenport Central High Blue Devils.

The gymnasium opened in 1931. It is named in honor of the man who was principal at, then, Davenport High School for 25 years.

Championship banners hang from the rafters. Unique seats and a classic scoreboard add to the ambiance. Don Grensing says the gym breathes high school hoops. He should know. Grensing coached boys basketball at the school for twenty five years, leading his team to a state title in 1970. They were 22-3 that season.

George Marshall Gym has been home to nine state boys basketball championships. Legendary Coach Paul Moon guided his teams to seven state crowns.  

Jim Groenenboom was sophomore coach at Central for twelve years and later coached at the varsity level for eight years. He says Marshall Gymnasium is like home. Jim coached his son for three years and says he still gets goosebumps when he returns to Marshall Gymnasium.

Politicians have also had their moments in the spotlight at the gym. Former President Bill Clinton and Former Vice- President Al Gore made appearances there.

A Quad City Gem. George Marshall Gymnasium.