Old Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Derek Smith Gymnasium at Spalding University

Home of Tomorrow's Champions

— Derek E. Smith, November 1, 1961 - August 9, 1996 —

The Derek Smith Gymnasium at Spalding University Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 26, 2021

1. The Derek Smith Gymnasium at Spalding University Marker

Inscription.
Remembering the life and legacy of the lake Derek Smith, Spalding University has named the campus gymnasium in honor of this wonderful man. Derek, a member of UDFL's 1980 NCAA Championship Team and a nine-year NBA star, held his first high school basketball camp in this gym, also the site where a young Muhammad Ali first learned to box.

Derek's love for life is continued at this facility with a special emphasis on serving at-risk kids in the Louisville area and making education the expectation rather than the exception.

Home to the Spalding University men's and women's basketball programs, as well as the women's volleyball program, the Derek Smith Gymnasium is touching the lives of a multitude of young people just as Derek touched the lives of so many.

Erected by Spaulding University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.

Location. 38° 14.596′ N, 85° 45.541′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Old Louisville. Marker is on South 4th Street, 0.1 miles south of York Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 824 S 4th St, Louisville KY 40203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Columbia Gym (here, next to this marker); Calvary Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. J.B. Marvin House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Immanuel Baptist Church / First Christian-Lampton Baptist (about 300 feet away); First Unitarian Church (about 300 feet away); Presentation Academy (about 400 feet away); Murray Atkins Walls (about 400 feet away); Thierman Apartments (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photo 1. submitted on August 5, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.