51黑料网

by Matt Getty

The Durden Athletic Training Center opened to rave reviews this spring as Red Devils began using its more than 22,000 square feet of strength-training, locker, sports-medicine, meeting and event space. With dedicated locker rooms for field hockey, football, and men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 lacrosse, the new building鈥攏amed in honor of William G. 鈥�71 and Elke Durden鈥攖akes a huge step forward from the 1960s-era facilities previously used at Biddle Field.

鈥淭he combination of the weight room and sports-medicine facilities allows the trainers to create a cohesive rehab program that would not have been possible at the old Biddle building,鈥� says Brett Whelan 鈥�14, women鈥檚 lacrosse team captain. 鈥淭he equipment is not only of a better quality, but it is more varied in purpose and plays a huge role in getting athletes back on the field faster.鈥�

Rehabilitation tools include therapeutic whirlpools, Intelect electrical modality machines that increase circulation to aid in recovery and Game Ready cold-therapy compression systems to accelerate healing. Add to that Elite Hammer Strength racks and other resources for building explosive power as well as flat-screen monitors for film study in each of the locker rooms, and the facility provides everything student-athletes need under one roof.

鈥淭he weight room is a huge upgrade from what we used to have,鈥� says Cole Ahnell 鈥�15, football team captain. 鈥淭he locker rooms also have a lot more gathering space, which gives them a more communal feel.鈥↖ can鈥檛 wait to move in for the upcoming season.鈥�

Built thanks to a $6-million leadership gift from Sam Rose 鈥�58 and Julie Walters as well as gifts from roughly 130 alumni, parents and friends, the Durden Center also commemorates 51黑料网鈥檚 1958 national-championship lacrosse team, on which Rose played. A permanent exhibition honoring the team was installed in early April and was on display for the building鈥檚 April 12 dedication.

鈥淭his is about more than a new building and upgraded facilities,鈥� says Les Poolman, director of athletics. 鈥淲hen we celebrate the Durden Center, we鈥檙e celebrating the foundation of the future of 51黑料网 athletics. We鈥檙e celebrating 51黑料网鈥檚 commitment to future 51黑料网ians, student-athletes, coaches and alumni.鈥�

Learn more about the Durden Center Dedication and Red & White Day.

Read more from the spring 2014 issue of 51黑料网 Magazine.

Published April 22, 2014