SYCAMORE HISTORY
Looking Back
at Sycamore’s Legendary Cafegymnatorium
Amy Marschand taught Physical Education classes at Sycamore beginning in 1991. During her time as a teacher, the current cafeteria also served as the gymnasium and auditorium. Hence the more colloquial name: cafegymnatorium. Lunch tables pushed to the side for a basketball game. A small stage on one end of the room, with a storage area below that space. It was the epitome of a multipurpose room. Marschand, who would become the Head of Middle School until 2004, had a great perspective of just what the space was: a gathering place for many in a space for few.
Middle School assembly, circa 2009
A
my Marschand recalls her years at Sycamore and the cafegymnatorium as the cornerstone for many of the activities in the school. Marschand, who taught Physical Education, coached, and eventually became Head of Middle School, was also integral in the history of Sycamore Athletics. We asked her to write about the history of the multipurpose space and what she remembers about Sycamore unique use of that part of the school.
The multipurpose space was the only large space for gatherings. It was truly a huge limitation, but we made the best of it because it was all we had. On rainy days the roof sometimes leaked, and we had trash cans set up to collect the water dripping to the floor. Physical education classes were often being preempted by programs in the “gym.” During this
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time, the growing band program quickly outgrew the stage for performances and band director Paula Fair had to find another venue to host all band concerts. We frequently had to use the cafeteria side lined with folding cafeteria tables for physical education classes when the “gym” was in use during the day. PE students and after-school athletes were frequently setting up chairs or taking them down so that we could have class or practice. For every home game, athletes had to set up chairs for the team benches and fans for every event. It was a true victory and safety benefit when pads were added on the stage section of the gym which protruded into the playing court. Girls sports at Sycamore began when I arrived in the fall of 1992. I am proud to say that after just five short years, we were able to build a winning tradition in
