Barr-Reeve (Old) (2,184) Built 1959
February 17, 2024
February 17, 2024
If you missed it earlier this year, I did a detailed blog on Barr-Reeve's history and the indelible mark it has left on Indiana high school basketball when I reviewed their new gym. CLICK HERE if you would like to peruse it. This blog is going to focus solely on the old gym (Kavanaugh Kourt) and the impact it left on some of the Montgomery residents who it meant the most to. The pictures shown are of the gym in its current state, after the "remodel." The gym is described as it was both before and after this unfortunate event below.
If you walk the halls around the "old gym," you'll see some incredible exhibits showcasing the school's history. You can flip through multiple displays to see how the the facilities and athletic programs have changed and excelled over time. Kavanaugh Kourt (named after the longtime scorekeeper Albert Kavanaugh) opened in 1959, and it was considered the "new" gym at the time. In fact, if you refer to Kavanaugh Kourt as the "old gym" now, people in Montgomery will look at you confused. To them, the "old gym" is the one built in 1938 as a WPA project as so many across the state were at the time. That one has since been converted to additional classrooms (Thank you to actual Barr-Reeve social studies teacher and friend Nate Raber for the history lesson). Whatever you want to refer to it as, there is no doubt that it is the gym most synonymous with all the winning the Vikings have done over the last 40 years.
The first thing that struck me when I visited the gym for a raucous Buggy Bowl in my high school years was the upper level. 5 rows of gorgeous wood bleachers that encircled the entire gym. The medium brown color was as rich as you would find anywhere. You could sit in the very corner on all 4 sides. I'm not sure there was anything in the state quite like it. There were small rectangular windows right above the bleachers on the sideline sections. There were also scoreboards right above those sideline walls as well, which seems ridiculous in theory, but they were so close to the action that it actually made perfect sense. The walls above the baseline ends had simple "Home of the Vikings" and "Viking Country" signage painted and trimmed in black and white with a little red. This also describes the color scheme of the whole gym, which was impeccable. I wouldn't change a single thing about it.
Hanging from the rafters above the baseline on one side were pristine black and white banners honoring past state title and runner up teams. You'd find the old Viking logo on these banners and other places throughout the gym. It was basically a black and red version of the Minnesota Vikings logo, but unlike other professional copies that high schools use sometimes, it never felt as egregious for some reason. I never really thought about it. There were black stairs in all 4 corners of the gym that connected the upper and lower levels. There wasn't any exterior entrance to the upper section. The lower level bleachers butted right up to the stairs along each sideline. The sideline sections had 7 rows of bleachers on each side. On one side behind the scorer's table, there was a sign for the Blue Chip Conference, but no indication of any of the teams which is a bit odd. No seating on the baseline ends, just black mats with "Barr-Reeve" in big, black, block lettering above them. All simple, all perfect. The basketball hoops themselves were the permanent kind anchored right into the floor which is not very common today. Two scoreboards also hung right above the baseline guard rails in perfect view for the players.
The old playing floor on Kavanaugh Kourt wasn't going to win any creative design competitions. It was simple. One shade of golden-brown coloring the whole thing and sharp black lines outlining everything except some red for the volleyball lines. "Kavanaugh Kourt" was written in red block letters along each sideline on one side, the IHSAA logo on the other. The center court design made it special though. There was a big black circle with "Barr-Reeve Vikings" around the outer ring, with the Viking logo in an inner ring that also served as the jumpball circle. As classy as they come. That really epitomizes the whole gym. It was the quintessential small school bandbox. Packed to the gills every single night. The crowd right on top of the action no matter where you were in the gym. It was perfect. To understand how special it was allows you to understand how much of a travesty its current state of affairs is.
When the decision was made to build a bigger gym a few years ago (an understandable one, but still painful), a decision was also made afterwards to turn Kavanaugh Kourt into a multipurpose facility that could still hold basketball games, but also serve as a theater of sorts to better serve the music department at the school (also an understandable decision in theory). While you understand that choices need to be made for the betterment of the entire student body at a school, this particular one just happened to butcher one of the finest and most historical gyms in southern Indiana and turn it into a Frankenstein mess of a place. An entire sideline section of bleachers has been removed, top and bottom, and a stage put in. Half of one upper baseline section has been walled off for storage. For what they were trying to accomplish, I understand all of that. They also replaced the other lower sideline section of bleachers with garish, grey plastic ones. The icing on the cake was painting the remaining upper level bleachers grey as well. WHY. The playing floor has completely been redone in a more modern fashion. It's fine. You can still find the plaques on the wall honoring Albert Kavanaugh himself and Kendall Murphy who was a firefighter and fixture in the community who tragically passed away in 2017 while serving as a first responder. The pictures shown here represent the gym as it is now, a shell of its former glory. I encourage you to research what it looked like before it was axed. I'd like to remember it as it was during its finest hours. I hope the anecdotes shared here below by lifelong Vikings help others do that too. Thank you to all who shared their memories of this immaculate chapel of hoops.
Jenna Knepp Stoll (Barr-Reeve 2014)
Favorite Memory: There are so many! Packed full for most of the boys’ games- no empty seats, it getting so hot in there from all the people being shoulder to shoulder. All the home basketball games against Vincennes Rivet girls were always a packed house. As well as girls volleyball against Loogootee. Which was so cool for us girl athletes to play in front of a packed house. We hosted and won girls basketball sectional in 2012 making us 22-0. Also played volleyball regional there in 2013 my senior year and won.
What Made The Gym Special: The old wooden bleachers (my grandpa actually helped build in shop class when he was in HS). Packing it full every Friday or Saturday night. Both sets of my grandparents and my own parents had their designated seats for my games so I always knew where to look to find them. ❤️ All the memories watching players and teams before me play on that floor and then getting the opportunity to have that same success on that same floor.
Ryan Wirtz (Barr-Reeve 2001)
Favorite Memory: Playing in front of a standing room only crowd with the steps full of onlookers and fans hanging over the rails in the upper balcony.
What Made The Gym Special: You felt like the crowd was on top of you when you were playing. For me I would have to say I have shed more blood, sweat, and tears in that single location than anywhere else in my life. From being a grade school kid with my mother who coached Barr-Reeve Volleyball in the late 80's and 90's and watching and playing in there during her practice and games to me growing up watching and practicing and playing basketball. To PE classes, kids music concerts, art class uses it for its annual art gallery, pep sessions, winning Prom King and graduation all in that gym. We still have practices and JH games in there and sounds and smells are still the same and will take you back.
Josh Swartzentruber (Barr-Reeve 2010)
Favorite Memory: My favorite memory from Kavanaugh Kourt had to be the first year it was officially named that in 2010. It was my senior year and in it's inaugural year we went all the way to the State Championship. It encompassed everything that Barr-Reeve and Albert Kavanaugh was all about. The hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence that Albert set in his tenure at BR, all came to fruition with a State Tournament run in the first year it was named after the pioneer of BR.
What Made The Gym Special: What made this gym so special was that it was the ULTIMATE home court advantage. With the old style wrap around bleachers, it truly felt like the crowd was on top of you. Packed out night after night for home games, this place truly felt like a scene taken from the movies Hoosiers. Which was fitting because to start JV warmups every game Albert Kavanaugh played the theme song from the movie Hoosiers.
Micah Bullock (Barr-Reeve 2014)
Favorite Memory: My favorite memory was probably my first time playing on the floor. I was in 5th grade and I can remember shooting a layup and sprinting down the floor and being so excited that I forgot what defense we were supposed to be in.
What Made The Gym Special: For me personally, it’s the family ties. I grew up watching cousins play, it was knowing all my uncles and aunts had played on that floor, knowing both my parents played on that floor. While I was playing, I got to play with two cousins, and I always knew I could look in the corner, just down from our bench, and know my grandparents (who never missed a home game for any of their kids or grandkids) and all my uncles and aunt would be sitting there. It was kinda like our family had their own cheer block. Outside of the family ties, it was special because of its size and atmosphere. It didn’t matter where you were on the court, you felt like you could reach out and touch the crowd. The atmosphere was always electric. Whether it was a rivalry game or just another game with an opponent who wasn’t very good, the gym always felt packed. It was the best.
Rachel (Lengacher) Raber (Barr-Reeve 2012)
Favorite Memory: Cheering on my brothers at their games.
What Made The Gym Special: The community that was built there. Everyone had their “assigned” seats. The gym reminds me so much of the community of Montgomery as a whole. It’s small but it does have a lot of character and “if those walls could talk.” from big games, to PE class, to cheering on my own brothers and Nate (when he coaches) and fundraisers for those in need in our community so many of my favorite memories from my childhood happened in that gym (and now into adulthood!). I’ve had so many heart to hearts with different people in the community that I may have missed if it weren’t for our precious little gym. Now I’m teary.
Desiree (Wagler) Lewis (Barr-Reeve 2003)
Favorite Memory: Buggy Bowls and BR vs Loogootee Boys games.
What Made The Gym Special: A packed house, when nearly every seat was filled by Viking fans and our opponent fan base. Rival games were the best in Kavanaugh Kourt for as long as I can remember. There’s not a gym that could replace the memories and the charm we felt when witnessing our athletes fight for a win. I am sad it is not our main gym any longer. There are a lot of memories including chorus concert, art shows, PE class, and absolutely nothing can beat a barn burner game in that gym with our neighboring rivals!
Beau Gish (Barr-Reeve 2002)
Favorite Memory: Beating Loogootee my Junior year at home and winning the Buggy Bowl my senior year at home.
What Made The Gym Special: One of my favorite things about this gym was how close you felt to the fans. The way it is set up, the fans feel like they are a part of the game more than any other gym I played in. It almost feels like they are on the court with you. Especially when playing Loogootee or North Daviess. Another special thing is when they gave it the name of Kavanaugh Kourt to honor Mr. Charles Albert Kavanaugh. He had been the foundation of Barr-Reeve Basketball for many decades. The success of BR Basketball starts at an early age on Saturday mornings, when most kids are eating cereal and watching cartoons, we were in the gym with Mr. K learning dribbling drills, pivots and shot fakes. Starting from the ground up, learning the fundamentals of the game. It’s a noticeable thing when you watch a BR game and it all started with the man that gym is named after.
Favorite Memory: There are so many! Packed full for most of the boys’ games- no empty seats, it getting so hot in there from all the people being shoulder to shoulder. All the home basketball games against Vincennes Rivet girls were always a packed house. As well as girls volleyball against Loogootee. Which was so cool for us girl athletes to play in front of a packed house. We hosted and won girls basketball sectional in 2012 making us 22-0. Also played volleyball regional there in 2013 my senior year and won.
What Made The Gym Special: The old wooden bleachers (my grandpa actually helped build in shop class when he was in HS). Packing it full every Friday or Saturday night. Both sets of my grandparents and my own parents had their designated seats for my games so I always knew where to look to find them. ❤️ All the memories watching players and teams before me play on that floor and then getting the opportunity to have that same success on that same floor.
Ryan Wirtz (Barr-Reeve 2001)
Favorite Memory: Playing in front of a standing room only crowd with the steps full of onlookers and fans hanging over the rails in the upper balcony.
What Made The Gym Special: You felt like the crowd was on top of you when you were playing. For me I would have to say I have shed more blood, sweat, and tears in that single location than anywhere else in my life. From being a grade school kid with my mother who coached Barr-Reeve Volleyball in the late 80's and 90's and watching and playing in there during her practice and games to me growing up watching and practicing and playing basketball. To PE classes, kids music concerts, art class uses it for its annual art gallery, pep sessions, winning Prom King and graduation all in that gym. We still have practices and JH games in there and sounds and smells are still the same and will take you back.
Josh Swartzentruber (Barr-Reeve 2010)
Favorite Memory: My favorite memory from Kavanaugh Kourt had to be the first year it was officially named that in 2010. It was my senior year and in it's inaugural year we went all the way to the State Championship. It encompassed everything that Barr-Reeve and Albert Kavanaugh was all about. The hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence that Albert set in his tenure at BR, all came to fruition with a State Tournament run in the first year it was named after the pioneer of BR.
What Made The Gym Special: What made this gym so special was that it was the ULTIMATE home court advantage. With the old style wrap around bleachers, it truly felt like the crowd was on top of you. Packed out night after night for home games, this place truly felt like a scene taken from the movies Hoosiers. Which was fitting because to start JV warmups every game Albert Kavanaugh played the theme song from the movie Hoosiers.
Micah Bullock (Barr-Reeve 2014)
Favorite Memory: My favorite memory was probably my first time playing on the floor. I was in 5th grade and I can remember shooting a layup and sprinting down the floor and being so excited that I forgot what defense we were supposed to be in.
What Made The Gym Special: For me personally, it’s the family ties. I grew up watching cousins play, it was knowing all my uncles and aunts had played on that floor, knowing both my parents played on that floor. While I was playing, I got to play with two cousins, and I always knew I could look in the corner, just down from our bench, and know my grandparents (who never missed a home game for any of their kids or grandkids) and all my uncles and aunt would be sitting there. It was kinda like our family had their own cheer block. Outside of the family ties, it was special because of its size and atmosphere. It didn’t matter where you were on the court, you felt like you could reach out and touch the crowd. The atmosphere was always electric. Whether it was a rivalry game or just another game with an opponent who wasn’t very good, the gym always felt packed. It was the best.
Rachel (Lengacher) Raber (Barr-Reeve 2012)
Favorite Memory: Cheering on my brothers at their games.
What Made The Gym Special: The community that was built there. Everyone had their “assigned” seats. The gym reminds me so much of the community of Montgomery as a whole. It’s small but it does have a lot of character and “if those walls could talk.” from big games, to PE class, to cheering on my own brothers and Nate (when he coaches) and fundraisers for those in need in our community so many of my favorite memories from my childhood happened in that gym (and now into adulthood!). I’ve had so many heart to hearts with different people in the community that I may have missed if it weren’t for our precious little gym. Now I’m teary.
Desiree (Wagler) Lewis (Barr-Reeve 2003)
Favorite Memory: Buggy Bowls and BR vs Loogootee Boys games.
What Made The Gym Special: A packed house, when nearly every seat was filled by Viking fans and our opponent fan base. Rival games were the best in Kavanaugh Kourt for as long as I can remember. There’s not a gym that could replace the memories and the charm we felt when witnessing our athletes fight for a win. I am sad it is not our main gym any longer. There are a lot of memories including chorus concert, art shows, PE class, and absolutely nothing can beat a barn burner game in that gym with our neighboring rivals!
Beau Gish (Barr-Reeve 2002)
Favorite Memory: Beating Loogootee my Junior year at home and winning the Buggy Bowl my senior year at home.
What Made The Gym Special: One of my favorite things about this gym was how close you felt to the fans. The way it is set up, the fans feel like they are a part of the game more than any other gym I played in. It almost feels like they are on the court with you. Especially when playing Loogootee or North Daviess. Another special thing is when they gave it the name of Kavanaugh Kourt to honor Mr. Charles Albert Kavanaugh. He had been the foundation of Barr-Reeve Basketball for many decades. The success of BR Basketball starts at an early age on Saturday mornings, when most kids are eating cereal and watching cartoons, we were in the gym with Mr. K learning dribbling drills, pivots and shot fakes. Starting from the ground up, learning the fundamentals of the game. It’s a noticeable thing when you watch a BR game and it all started with the man that gym is named after.
