McCarthy Gymnasium opened in 1950 directly east of the "Tin Gym," it was formerly known as Mississippi State Gymnasium, then later renamed for former MSU men's basketball coach James H. "Babe" McCarthy after his death in 1975 as a result of colon cancer.
It opened in 1950 directly east of the "Tin Gym", MSU's previous on-campus arena that had opened in 1929. It was originally known as the Mississippi State Gymnasium, or the New Gym for short. It was renamed for former MSU men's basketball coach James H. "Babe" McCarthy after his death in 1975. In March 1975, McCarthy died as a result of colon cancer. 
