Worth the Wait
$4.5 million dollars can certainly make a difference.
The renovation of athletic facilities at Wayne State College is a perfect example.
A sense of pride and accomplishment exists on the north side of campus these days as student athletes, staff and alumni enjoy the transformation.
“The current facilities are exceptional in their quality and long overdue for a program such as ours,” Reggie Yates, class of ’71 tight end, said.
The beginning stages of work in the football stadium, built in 1944, began in December, 2007.
“When they began pulling out the old equipment and other items that had been stored under the stadium for years and years, it was hard to imagine what that old dirt floor and concrete structure could become,” Eric Schoh, WSC Director of Athletics, said.
A state-of-the-art weight lifting room now occupies the main level of the stadium. The football locker room and the first ever women’s soccer locker room complete this area.
18 weight lifting platforms allow seventy two student athletes to work out at the same time.
“The new facility was worth the wait,” Silas Fluellen, WSC junior quarter back, said. “Stepping into the building feels like a Division I environment.”
Newly created football offices are located on the mezzanine level.
The men’s and women’s basketball offices, the volleyball office and the sports information office were also renovated in Rice Auditorium. These offices are now centrally located, on the main floor of Rice Auditorium.
Other areas updated in the project include the men’s basketball and volleyball locker rooms, with women’s basketball gaining their own locker room for the first time in Wildcat history.
A new general student-accessible weight room has been created in the former football locker room.
“The new student weight room, which includes free weights, selectorized equipment, a stretching and core exercise area, is a great addition for all WSC students, faculty and staff,” Mike Barry, Associate Athletic Director, said. “Along with our cardio room, pool, racquetball courts and arena, the new area provides another space and option for a work out.”
Completion of the project was showcased April 24, at a grand opening event, in conjunction with the Wildcat’s spring football game. The Special Events committee of the Wayne Area Chamber and Economic Development office, along with the Wayne Area Ambassadors worked in conjunction with the WSC Athletic Department to host the event.
“We were looking for a way to invite the community to tour the new facility at the stadium. Doing something in conjunction with the spring football game just seemed to be a natural. Not only were we able to show the people of Wayne the great work that has been done, but many of the football parents were able to take a look as well,” Schoh said.
Memorial Football Stadium Photos
December 20, 2007
The beginning ...
Old football offices are ready to be made new!
January 3, 2008
Floor is leveled and ready to be poured.
February 13, 2008
The Stadium seems to know a new look is coming ... it's shedding its skin!
February 29, 2008
Concrete floors are completed.
March 14, 2008
Metal wall framing begins along with insulation being installed.
April 7, 2008
Second floor concrete is being completed.
May 12, 2008
Catwalk work continues.
Window replacement begins.
June 2, 2008
Stair steps are installed.
June 30, 2008
Main floor dry walling is nearing completion.
Football locker room drop ceiling installation begins.
Second floor dry walling is close to being done.
The beginning of the south entrance
North end of the stadium
July 17, 2008
Awesome things are happening behind this door!
July 29, 2008
The north steps are history.
August 6, 2008
Football locker room flooring is installed.
Football locker room showers are close to completion.
August 20, 2008
The old stadium sign is coming down and a piece of history is revealed.
South entrance work continues.
Steps to the field and north entrance work continues.
August 22, 2008
Ceiling panels are being installed.
Football locker room restroom work continues.
A bit dusty but installation is beginning on football lockers.
August 26, 2008
Repainting of west side of stadium continues.
September 8, 2008
Varsity weight room flooring installation begins. Compare this picture to the first picture in the series dated December 20, 2007.
Work continues on the steam line route.
September 18, 2008
Weight platform installation continues.
New dumbells and racks
Combo racks
Installation of lockers in football locker room is almost complete.
September 29, 2008
Weight machine installation is nearly completion.
Student athletes are using the equipment.
October 8, 2008
Locker name plates are installed.
January 15, 2009
Varsity weight room is complete.
New signage is finished.
Women's Basketball Locker Room Photos
February 13, 2008
Floors are demolished in former athletic training room.
April 2, 2008
New floors are beginning to take shape.
May 12, 2008
June 30, 2008
Metal wall framing begins.
November 17, 2008
Restrooms near completion.
December 1, 2008
Completed locker room.
Volleyball Locker Room Photos
June 30, 2008
Floor trenching begins.
July 29, 2008
Carpet has been installed.
August 6, 2008
Lockers are nearing completion. The units are awesome!
November 10, 2008
Locker room is complete.
Men's Basketball Locker Room Photos
July 2, 2008
Locker room floor is ready for carpet.
December 1, 2008
Finished product.
Women's Soccer Locker Room Photos
December 1, 2008
Restrooms near completion.