At the beginning of March, Case Western Reserve University began renovations on its historic Adelbert Gymnasium. The renovation is expected to take approximately 14 months, with completion scheduled for May 2027.
Opened in 1888, Adelbert Gymnasium was later expanded with an addition constructed between 1918 and 1919. The building was originally intended to serve as an armory during World War I, but construction was completed after the war ended. Over the following decades, the facility served as the home court for the Western Reserve Red Cats for more than 50 years and has periodically hosted Throwback Weekend basketball games for CWRU. The most recent renovation occurred in 2013, when the court was refurbished.
Former CWRU alumnus and trustee Fred DiSanto, along with his wife and their son and daughter-in-law, donated $5.9 million to support the renovation. In recognition of the gift, the facility will be renamed DiSanto Arena and will become the new home court for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
“Four varsity programs use Horsburgh [Gymnasium] for overlapping seasons: men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling and volleyball,” James C. Wyant Assistant Vice President Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education TJ Shelton said. “The renovation will provide an opportunity to move the basketball programs to DiSanto Arena for practices and home games.”

The new renovations will include the addition of an entrance tower, an elevator, accessible public restrooms, bleacher seating, the Spartan Gallery, locker rooms, offices, an athletic training room, new lighting, upgraded HVAC systems, plumbing improvements and roof restoration. CWRU aims to modernize the facility while preserving the historic character of Adelbert Gymnasium, honoring the building’s long-standing history and connection to the university.

“[We want] to restore the existing look of the historic building while creating a home-court advantage for competitive success,” Shelton said. “The renovation includes upgrading locker rooms and coaches’ offices and adding bleacher seating, a new entrance tower and new accessible public restrooms.”
CWRU Athletics hopes the renovation will benefit not only its athletic programs but also the broader student body, providing an upgraded space that can be used and enjoyed by the entire CWRU community.
“We expect the renovation to provide a major impact, not just as a practice and competition venue, but to offer opportunities to host special events and serve the broader campus community,” Shelton said.

This renovation represents a significant step forward for CWRU Athletics. While the university has not traditionally been known for its athletic programs, the project is intended to help strengthen and further develop CWRU’s athletic department.

“CWRU’s overall academic reputation and brand are still the biggest influence when it comes to recruiting, however, having quality facilities that support the overall athletics and wellness experience is a major bonus,” Shelton said. “We have some of the best facilities in Division III athletics, and the renovation of Adelbert Gym is another example of the support from university leadership, alumni and donors invested in overall campus community and student experience.”