Rush Gymnasium

- 1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Nestled within the beautiful, historic campus of Occidental College in Los Angeles, **Rush Gymnasium** stands as a distinguished landmark and a premier athletic venue in Southern California. While not a typical commercial fitness center, this facility functions as the central indoor court component of the college’s comprehensive athletic complex, providing a high-quality, dedicated space for sports excellence and community use. Named in honor of Frank "Speedy" Rush, a distinguished alumnus, the gym embodies a tradition of athletic dedication that stretches back decades. It is the proud home court for the Occidental Tigers Men's and Women's Basketball teams and the Women's Volleyball program, making it a critical hub for college-level sports in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).

For local residents and sports fans in Los Angeles, Rush Gymnasium represents an opportunity to engage with high-level college athletics and access a state-of-the-art facility that has received significant investment over the years, including a new gym floor and updated bleachers. The gymnasium offers a clear benefit to the local community by hosting spirited events and occasionally offering its versatile space for rentals, providing a professional-grade venue right in the heart of the 90041 zip code. Its reputation is immediately highlighted by the enthusiastic support for teams like the **Occidental Lady Tigers women's basketball**, emphasizing its role as a focal point for community pride and athletic achievement.

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Location and Accessibility on the Occidental College Campus

Rush Gymnasium is centrally located on the campus of Occidental College in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. The official address is **1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA**. This setting provides a beautiful, academic backdrop and is conveniently situated for residents throughout Northeast Los Angeles, including Glendale, Pasadena, and Highland Park.

As a key part of a modern academic institution, the facility adheres to high standards of accessibility. Rush Gymnasium provides essential access features for all visitors and athletes:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: Ensures smooth and easy access into the main gymnasium space and common areas.

• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Dedicated parking is available near the athletic facilities, facilitating convenient arrival for visitors and those with mobility considerations.

• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom: Clean and fully accessible restrooms are available on site for visitor and athlete comfort.

Its location on a college campus means that visitors should follow posted signs for visitor parking, particularly when major events are taking place, to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience.

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Core Services and Athletic Uses

The primary service of Rush Gymnasium is as a dedicated, high-performance athletic venue. Unlike commercial gyms, its focus is on competitive indoor court sports and large-scale physical education needs.

• Varsity Basketball and Volleyball Hosting: Serves as the official home court for the Occidental College Men's and Women's Basketball and Women's Volleyball teams, hosting SCIAC conference games and practices.

• Full-Size Basketball Court: The core amenity of the facility, featuring a brand-new gym floor installed in 2017, bleachers on both sides, and professional-grade equipment necessary for high-level collegiate competition.

• Sports and Recreation Rentals: The main gym space is available for rental by outside organizations, providing a professional venue for large-scale sports events, practices, and educational fitness activities, including conditioning and martial arts.

• Campus Fitness Support: While the dedicated fitness center (Alumni Gymnasium Fitness Center) is located in a separate building on campus, the court space is used to support intramural leagues, club sports, and recreational use when not reserved for varsity athletics, ensuring diverse engagement across the student body.

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Features and Highlights of the Collegiate Venue

Rush Gymnasium boasts several features that underscore its quality as a collegiate athletic facility and premier indoor court space.

• Premier Collegiate Court: Features a modern, high-quality gymnasium floor, making it one of the finest court venues in the SCIAC conference.

• Spectator Facilities: Upgraded bleachers were installed in 2008, ensuring comfortable and ample seating for fans and spectators attending games and events, creating an excellent game-day atmosphere.

• Basketball Court Amenity: A full-size court that is the central feature, equipped with scoreboards and shot clocks for competitive play.

• Restroom Access: Clean and accessible **Restrooms** are provided for all patrons and athletes.

• Historical Significance: Named for a distinguished alumnus and long-time trustee, the gym is steeped in Occidental College history and tradition.

A Note on Amenities and Maintenance

It is important for local users to note the specific nature of this facility. While a review mentioned issues with a "hot tub" and "pool" cleanliness, these amenities are associated with the campus's separate **De Mandel Aquatics Center** (the outdoor pool facility) and not Rush Gymnasium itself, which is strictly the indoor court facility. The maintenance and hygiene of the core gymnasium and its **Restroom** are separate from the Aquatics Center. Any public access to surrounding campus amenities like the pools and hot tubs for specific programs should always be met with a focus on hygiene, but the dedicated Rush Gymnasium basketball court is a well-maintained, specialized venue.

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Contact Information

For information regarding game schedules, rental inquiries, or specific access to the Rush Gymnasium facility, please use the following contact details for the Occidental College Athletics Department.

• Address: 1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA

• Phone: (323) 259-2608

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What is Worth Choosing: The Venue and The Vibe

For Los Angeles residents who are fans of collegiate sports, involved in local athletic leagues seeking a high-caliber court, or prospective Occidental students, **Rush Gymnasium** is worth choosing for three main reasons: its **collegiate-level quality, its accessibility, and the vibrant atmosphere**. As the home of the Occidental Tigers, the facility is constantly maintained to a high standard, with modern floors and seating that elevate the experience of both playing and watching.

The undeniable highlight is the **premier basketball court** itself—a professional, dedicated space that is ideal for both intense competition and large-scale events. While general gym-goers may utilize the separate Alumni Gymnasium Fitness Center on campus, Rush Gymnasium provides the authentic atmosphere of collegiate athletics, a feeling celebrated by those who cheer on the **Lady Tigers**. The assurance of full accessibility also means that this central athletic resource is open and welcoming to the entire community. Choosing Rush Gymnasium is about accessing a piece of Los Angeles athletic tradition and enjoying a pristine, dedicated space for indoor court sports. It is a reliable and highly respected venue that stands as a testament to Occidental College's commitment to athletic excellence.

Rush Gymnasium

1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA