Need Help

[ic59]

And this a question for people who have been around for a while. Okay, a long while. Or knows a lot about the history of Iona. And it resulted from a great picture on the official Iona site. It'a picture of a sold out game at the HAC, which got me thinking of how far we've come from playing games at the O'Connell Gym. And that got me thinking about when I first stepped on to the Iona campus. It was about a month after the end of World War II, September, 1945. I came to watch my oldest brother play football for Iona Prep, and I'm trying to recollect what buildings made up the campus at that time. They were divided between the Prep and the College as such:
Prep
1. Doorley Hall
2. Harris Gym (now the Rudin Center)
3. Chapel (shared)
4. Brothers Residence (knocked down and replaced by McSpedon Hall)
5. Haag Field
6. Tennis Courts

College
1. Cornelia
2. Ryan Library
3. Walsh Hall (now a dorm)
4. Quonset Huts
5. O'Connell Gym (not sure when it was 'built')
6. Handball Courts (mostly used by the Brothers)

That's all that I can remember, and would appreciate it if you have any additions or corrections. It's amazing to realize how far we've come.

[ic59]

Got one answer from the Official Site which has a story on this year's O'Connell award winners. That award and the O'Connell Gym was named for Joseph O'Connell an Iona BB player who was the first Iona student killed in WWII (1942). In the release it noted that the Gym was dedicated on December 7th, 1948, the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

So when the college started, I'm guessing the games were played either at the Prep Gym or possibly at the New Rochelle Armory. Here is where we're missing the Oldtimer, whom I'm sure would have had the answer.

[IONA86]

I thought the school printed a book for one of the anniversaries (70th or 75th) that had a history of the school. There was also a book published by two students that might have some of the info...

www.lohud.com/story/sports/college/2015/02/08/iona-graduates-story-tell-history-iona-college-athletics/23090821/

[IONA86]

'59, trey seeing if this has some of what you are looking for.

issuu.com/bookhouse1/docs/iona_for_issuu?e=27739210/79818620

[ic59]

May 18, 2023 15:44:56 GMT -5 IONA86 said:

'59, trey seeing if this has some of what you are looking for.

issuu.com/bookhouse1/docs/iona_for_issuu?e=27739210/79818620

86, a fantastic find and just what i was looking for. The print is a challenge, but just scanning through the book is a truly "Memories are made of this" moment. Came across a shot of the campus which really captured the Iona of September, 1945. Thanks, so much.

P.S. Recommend it for everyone.