Naismith wanted the gymnasium not just for basketball but also for his other physical education classes and sports activities.

[3] The gymnasium was named after Charles L. Robinson, who was the first Governor of Kansas, and his wife Sara Tappan Doolittle Robinson, both as thanks for their service and to make amends for what Sara perceived to be excessive pressure on her nephew to sell 51 acres (21 ha) of land to KU at a below-market price.

[6] The building was a significant improvement over Snow Hall, which had 11-foot ceilings and support beams in the middle of the floor.

[2] Robinson Gymnasium featured a swimming pool, men's and women's locker rooms, a main-floor gymnasium, 1/16-mile running track, a batting cage, a full range of gymnastics equipment and a 2,500-seat auditorium.

[5] The gymnasium served many purposes including dances, enrollments, commencements, concerts, lectures, and even as emergency housing immediately after World War II.