Spalding University renames
athletic building Columbia Gym

A red bike hangs in tribute to Muhammad Ali above the entrance to Columbia Gym, recently renamed by the school. In 1954, a young Cassius Clay reported his stolen bicycle to Joe Martin, a police officer who also ran a boxing club in the building’s basement. The gym where he trained is still in use by Spalding athletes today. (Record File Photo by Jessica Able)

Spalding University has changed the name of the Spalding University Center to Columbia Gym, the original name of the building and where Muhammad Ali learned to box in 1954.

The announcement was made Jan. 17 on what would have been Ali’s 76th birthday.

Spalding President Tori Murden McClure said in 2016 that the board of trustees planned to change the name of the building at 824 S. Fourth Street.

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