ALFRED, NY – Due to the generosity of multiple donors, Alfred University will move forward with a plan to update the Gibbs Fitness Center and add a varsity weight room, athletic training rehabilitation center and classroom, increasing workout space by more than 2,400-square-feet in the McLane Center.
 
The facility has been funded by Board of Trustee member Charlie Joyce and Sherry Walton '80, '88 MS, and Mena '73 and Rick Hansinger '75. The process will begin in December and plans to conclude during the summer of 2018. The Gibbs Fitness Center will remain open throughout the spring semester.
The current Gibbs Fitness Center will be renovated with new functional training machines, new free weights and Olympic platforms. A 1,200-square-foot expansion into the former squash courts will expand the amount of cardio equipment, including adding personal viewing screens as well new equipment like virtual reality bikes and rowing machines. Above the cardio room will be a second level that will include a classroom and rehabilitation room, providing state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities for hands-on experience for Athletic Training and Health Fitness Management majors. The updates will benefit the entire AU community with a 6,500-square-foot health and wellness space.
 
"The expansion of the Gibbs Fitness Center is part of a concerted effort by Alfred University to improve its health and wellness facilities, which benefit both the campus and local communities," Alfred University President Mark Zupan said, noting that the fitness center currently averages more than 20,000 visits per year. "Alfred University's Fitness Center will rival that of any of our peer institutions in size and scope, enhancing our student recruiting and retention efforts."
 
"Over the course of my five years here at AU I am extremely proud of our efforts to create more opportunities for our entire campus community in the areas of fitness, health and wellness," Director of Athletics Paul Vecchio said. "The expansion of our fitness center footprint will no doubt further these opportunities for everyone in our AU community to live healthier lives while enjoying state-of-the-art amenities."
 
A varsity weight room will also be added, serving more than 400 student-athletes with 12 Olympic platforms and a 450-square-foot turf space, allowing for functional training such as sled pushes and tire flipping amongst other opportunities.
 
"From the short time that I've been here, I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing student-athletes with phenomenal natural ability," Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Dave Preston mentioned. "To be able to give them a space large enough where they can come in as a team and use cutting-edge state-of-the-art equipment is going to allow them to tap into unlimited potential. I believe the addition of this new facility will usher in a new era of athlete: one that is stronger, faster, more explosive, and most importantly, more resistant to injury. The equipment has been hand selected and each piece is designed specifically to improve an aspect of athletic ability without putting undue stress on the joints and to help counter imbalances."
 
"The new fitness center and varsity weight room will be a game changer for Alfred University athletics," Head Men's Basketball Coach Russ Phillips added. "The design and setup is state-of-the-art and will rival any Division III facility."
 
"As a first year coach, I am elated about the many changes I have seen in our department since last February," Head Women's Volleyball Coach Dakota Pruiss said. "Our university as a whole is dedicating itself to improving athletics and this is just one example of such support."
 
Head Softball Coach Luke Wesneski recognized the importance this improvement has on not only current student-athletes, but the implications of recruiting for the future.
 
"This will be a sure-fire highlight as recruits are on campus and deciding where they want to spend the next four years," Wesneski said. "Strength and conditioning is such a huge part of on-field success and this new facility will enhance that greatly."
 
Along with the improvements, a student-athlete rehabilitation center will be added including one space for rehabilitation activities and one for a practical experience classroom, amounting to over 1,200-square-feet.
 
"This facility will have a strong impact on both the athletic programs as well as the Division of Health and Human Performance," Assistant Athletic Director and Head Athletic Trainer Jessica Hurlbut stated. "It will be an immense help for all student-athletes in regard to additional rehabilitation features. The Health and Human Performance students will also be able to utilize new technologies they have not been acquainted to in the past. The facility will provide a great area for growth in the education program as well as future recruitment of both students and student-athletes."
 
"I commend our Athletic Director, Paul Vecchio and our president, Mark Zupan in recognizing and addressing this need," Head Football Coach Bob Rankl continued. "This will truly benefit the student-athletes and overall student population at Alfred University."
 
The overhaul is one of the many improvements that have occurred within athletics at Alfred University in recent years due to the generosity of donors who continue to improve the daily lives of students.

In 2009, Maris Cuneo funded an expansion at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center. Soon after in 2010, Merrill Field was retrofitted with a new FieldTurf surface, grandstand and pressbox. Two years later, AU alumni Greg and Jeni Connors funded the Connors Family Pavilion, a gathering place in the south end of the stadium. Harrington Park was unveiled in 2013, giving the AU softball team a home on campus. Only one year later, in the spring of 2014, The Joyce and Walton Family Center for Health and Wellness was revealed, giving the campus and Alfred community a 33,000-square-foot facility, containing all-purpose courts, an indoor track, locker rooms and a multi-purpose room. In the fall of 2014, a gift from the Galanis family made it possible to renovate the 45-year-old gymnasium with a new court surface, bleachers, public address system and updated lighting. Recently, the 1985-86 Men's Basketball team updated the Galanis Family Arena again with a portable basketball hoop system. And just in September, the swimming & diving program was presented with the Tim Jaenecke Memorial Record Boards that can be found alongside the Lebohner Pool.
 
"The level of support that our alumni have shown in improving our facilities, and indeed our entire athletic department, over the past decade has been nothing short of sensational," Vecchio stated. "Their efforts have allowed us to provide an experience to our student-athletes that matches the transformational academic and living/learning environment that Alfred University provides. I am beyond grateful to our alumni for their support as well as the leadership and vision of Vice President Kathy Woughter and President Mark Zupan in supporting these efforts."