Lilly Physical Education and Recreation Center

The $7.2 million Lilly Physical Education and Recreation Center was dedicated in April of 1982. The Center is named in memory of Eli Lilly, Josiah K.Lilly and Josiah K. Lilly Jr., great-grandfather, grandfather and father,respectively, of Ms. Ruth Lilly of Indianapolis, the Center’s main benefactor.

Upon completion, the Lilly Center was one of the finest and most complete recreation and sports facilities among all small colleges and universities in the United States. The center includes a 25-yard by 25-meter pool with10 lanes, six racquetball courts, complete locker room facilities, class and conference rooms.

An addition to the Center in 1990 was a hardwood floor in the fieldhouse and auxiliary gymnasium. Truly a multipurpose facility, the Center often is the site of several intercollegiate activities on a single day. In 1997the weight room underwent an extensive renovation and addition and now is one of the finest fitness centers at any small college in the nation.

The main section of the Center is the Raymond "Gaumey" Neal Fieldhouse, named in honor of the coach of DePauw’s undefeated, untied and unscored upon 1933 football team. The fieldhouse includes a one-tenth mile track and other indoor track facilities, a 2,400-seat basketball and volleyball arena and three multipurpose courts which can accommodate volleyball,tennis, badminton, soccer and many other sports.

Nearly $3 million of the funds for the Lilly Center were raised by the members of the 1933 football team, exclusively through donations made by the surviving members. The team, whose 7-0 record and 136-0 point tota lover their opponents put them in the elite in the history of college football,chose to honor their coach, the architect of many DePauw football powers in the 1930s and 1940s.

Directions

If you're coming from the Indianapolis International Airport,follow the signs to Interstate 70 West.

From Interstate 70

Exit Interstate 70 at Exit 41 (U.S. 231) and proceed north for approximately seven miles. Turn left on Hanna Street (at Pizza King Restaurant) and continue on that for five blocks and turn left on Indiana Street. The Lilly Center will be on your left.

From North U.S. 231

Proceed south on 231 until it turns at the Courthouse Square. Where it turns, proceed straight for five blocks and turn left on Hanna Street and then right on Indiana (the next intersection).The Lilly Center will be on your left.

From Route 240

Follow 240 west to the intersection with U.S. 231.Turn left on 231 for four blocks and then turn right on Hanna Street (at Pizza King Restaurant) and continue for five blocks and turn left on Indiana Street. The Lilly Center will be on your left.