Gentry Center

For this stop you can either listen to the narration at the top of the Gentry Center, or on your left, walk down several flights of stairs to reach the front of the Gentry Center. If you choose to get your steps in, press pause on the narration, descend the stairs, and walk around the right side of the Gentry Center. If you choose to listen to the stop from here, then just keep listening!

The Gentry Complex is a facility dedicated to Tiger Athletics and physical education. The center serves as the home arena for the university’s basketball teams, and the Wilma Rudolph Indoor Track. The complex also features the Thomas H. Hughes Aquatic Center. Hughes came to Tennessee A&I in 1946 to coach the swim team, known as the “Tiger Sharks.” Perhaps the most utilized part of the complex is the Ralph Boston fitness center, named after TSU’s famed track star, long jump world record holder, and Olympic champion.

The Gentry Center’s main arena seats 10,000 people and, in addition to sporting events, it is used for commencement ceremonies, public events, and convocations. Outside there are tennis and handball courts as well as the home stadium for TSU’s women’s softball. The Gentry Complex is named after Howard C. Gentry who was a successful football coach at Tennessee State with a record of 42 wins and 10 losses over six years. Gentry would later go on to be one of the most successful athletic directors in the school’s history, and many Tiger alums credit him with being responsible for Tennessee State University’s transition to NCAA Division I. The Gentry family’s legacy at Tennessee State University runs deep. His wife, Carrie Gentry was active in local politics, and his son, Howard Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps at TSU as athletic director.

The Olympic statue in front of the Gentry Center can either be seen from the bottom of the stairs or from Hale Stadium. If you walked down the stairs you will see it on the edge of the traffic circle. If you choose not to take the stairs, turn and follow the sidewalk back down the hill, with Goodwill Manor and Harned Hall on your right. When you reach the intersection at the corner, with the amphitheater in front of you, turn LEFT and exit the main campus. This is the same place where you entered the main campus at the start of the tour. Follow the sidewalk back to Kean Hall and look to your LEFT. From the corner of Merritt Blvd. and 33^rd Avenue you will see Hale Stadium. In the distance, just past the stadium, you will see the Olympic Statue.