The end of this semester marks the end of the first year of the newly-remodeled Sherwood Athleic Center. With both Baker Ferguson Fitness Center and Sherwood up and running, Whitman now boasts a two-part state of the art athletic facility.
Five years removed from the original planning of the remodeling, Whitman has spent $26.5 million to re-haul Baker Ferguson and transform Sherwood. Baker Ferguson saw renovations to the pool as well as new equipment. While Sherwood received a much more extensive make-over, including the all-new bigger and better 7,000 square-foot indoor climbing wall that offers an array of 55 routes for climbers at all levels. With an emphasis on increased team room space, two full classrooms have been added, not to mention the fully furnished, no-holds-barred video viewing/editing room equipped with software for biomechanical analysis and surround sound. By far the most-used renovation, the multipurpose gymnasium features two drop-down nets that double as batting cages or a pseudo-driving range.
Together, these new spaces, bring the total floor space of the new Sherwood to a whopping 71,000 square feet, an increase of 6,000 square feet. With a retooled athletic training room, space for team strength-and-conditioning, dance/exercise studios, locker rooms, racquetball and squash courts and finally a space for athletic department offices, the new Sherwood has brought Whitman’s athletic facilities up to par with the academic facilities of other similar institutions.
“Having our training room available right next to our gym makes getting treatment much easier [than last year],” commented sophomore basketball player David Michaels. “Also not having to deal with the constant noise, dust and smoke from the construction makes things much more enjoyable for everyone. I’ve had so much fun competing in Sherwood [this year], it is definitely the best gym in the [Northwest] conference to compete in.”
In 2001 Whitman began its campaign to beef up its athletic facilities, with the unveiling of the Whitman Athletic Fields: which boasts a varsity soccer pitch, two practice fields and a softball diamond. Sherwood places the crowning jewel on Whitman’s state-of-the-art athletic facilities including the Walter Bratton Indoor Tennis Center, Borleske Stadium, Baker Ferguson Fitness Center and Harvey Pool.
Barring the men’s tennis team’s prolific success, Whitman is not historically known for its athletic prowess. Since Athletic Director Dean Snider has been at the helm, he has brought about a culture shift that has led to the current early stages of institutionalizing athletic excellence, as evident by the scathe of recent changes.
In the spring of 2008, Snider implemented two of the most influential changes within the athletic department. The first was the creation of the W Club, an alumni-based booster organization and an integral feature of any aspiring or successful athletic program. The W Club serves to make Whitman more accessible, as it raises funds to for the athletic department and recruiting programs.
Within the same month, it was announced that Skip Molitor: then, head coach of the men’s basketball team: would step into the newly-created position of assistant athletics director in charge of development, community relations and club sports, while also serving as the women’s golf coach.
The purpose of the Molitor’s position is to “provide substantive support to [Snider] as Whitman implements strategies toward advancing excellence in athletics.” Provost and Dean of the Faculty Lori Bettison-Varga said in a news release from April 8, 2008. Molitor will work with Snider “to enhance the student-athlete experience through promoting team events, directing club sports and working with volunteer leaders of the newly formed W Club.”
In the last three years, four coaching changes have been made on
the varsity scene with one more looming on the horizon. Jared Holawaty, John Hein and Eric Bridgeland recently coached their first Whitman baseball, women’s tennis and men’s basketball games, respectively. Most recently, Scott Shields: the winningest coach of the Whitman’s women’s soccer program: has filled in as cross-country coach in lieu of Malcolm Dunn’s departure, leaving the women’s soccer coaching job up for grabs.
Bridgeland: who has already had a tremendous impact on both the basketball team and the athletic program in his short time here: is a huge proponent of the new Sherwood Athletic Center.
“[Sherwood houses] beautiful, state of the art facilities that match the rest of the other top notch facilities on campus, showing Whitman’s commitment to equal its [academic] reputation on the court,” said Bridgeland. “Personally, I have always longed to be at an institution that could arguably be the best in academics, as well as athletics, in the nation: I believe Whitman has that opportunity now.”
Bridgeland also commented on how the new Sherwood has helped him sell Whitman College to potential recruits.
After a year without athletic facilities, due to construction, the Whitman community is taking full advantage of the newly available space. Both intramural basketball and dodgeball have made a comeback after a short hiatus. The Sweet Onion Crank, a rock-climbing festival and bouldering competition, returned to the now indoor climbing wall, which has become one of the more popular attractions. The squash and racquetball cultures are thriving. More space allows for more Sports Studies and Recreational Activities classes, one of the more popular courses being an aerobics course taught by senior Maryn Juergens, not to mention the numerous pick-up games constantly going on in the multi-purpose gym.
Varsity athletes have benefited hugely from the renovations to Sherwood. Both the men’s basketball team and the volleyball team had better home records this season, with men’s basketball improving from 4-5 last season to 8-4 on the newly resurfaced ball court.
“I’ve loved competing in Sherwood because it’s a really nice facility that allows us to play to our full potential. I really appreciate all of the time and resources that went into the remodel because it shows that Whitman takes pride in its athletic program,” said first-year volleyball player Rachel Shober.
