Silver Jubilee

It’s been 25 years of sweat, strength, and community at Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center. Since opening in October 1999, the center has been the campus hub for fitness and fun, turning gym spotters into longtime friends. The Malley Center promotes holistic well-being through an assortment of amenities, from a seriously stacked weight room to a bright gymnasium. Here’s to many more years of lifting spirits and weights!

MALLEY’S NAMESAKE Hall of Famer and long-time Santa Clara football coach, Pat Malley ’53 left a permanent mark on the University athletics program, especially football. While attending SCU, Malley was a linebacker and offensive guard for the football team. His love for football continued after his playing days, and he became head coach of the team in 1959.

GET WRECKED When SCU had an all-male student population, the Seifert Gymnasium was the place to get fit in the 20th century. Located near the Mission and O’Connor Hall, it had locker and shower rooms, a pool, a basketball court, and a lounge. It was demolished in 1975, to make space for a parking lot.

BULKING UP When it opened in 1999, Malley saw about 1,200 people on average each day. Nowadays, the facility supports around 1,600 students, staff, and faculty a day! It’s not uncommon to hear, “I want to go work out now, but I know Malley is going to be packed,” from students and faculty alike.

MAKEOVER GALORE A lot can change in a 25-year span. In 2007, solar panels were installed on the center’s roof. The weight room got new flooring while the basketball courts got some Santa Clara red accents. Countless exercise machines have been upgraded and Peloton bikes arrived in 2021. 

YEARS OF EXERCISE CRAZES Over the years, the facility has seen a lot of fitness trends come and go. When the center just opened, Tae Bo and shake weight were all the craze. They were soon replaced by spinning classes, boot camp workouts, and barre workouts. Currently, strength training, pilates, and crossfit training are the new fitness sensations.

WINTER WORKOUT The gymnasium courts are a popular space for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and pickleball. Throughout the year, it’s a common sight to see at least one full-court game of pick-up basketball being played. Winter quarter is the busiest time for the courts, as Campus Recreation hosts nightly intramural basketball league games.