Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Hosts Grand Opening for Student-Athlete Performance Center
8/27/2019 8:36:00 PM | Football, Soccer, General
More than 300 alumni, donors and guests attended the event
Behind the Scenes
Grand Opening Ceremony.
Photo Gallery.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - More than 300 alumni, donors and guests joined staff from the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics and campus administration to usher in a new era in EMU athletics with the grand opening of the Student-Athlete Performance Center tonight, Aug. 27. In use by student-athletes since mid-July, the event welcomed members of the public to the new facility for the first time.
Although the event was an opportunity for those who helped fund the project to fully-experience the fruits of their generosity, it was also an opportunity for the departments employees, coaches, and student-athletes to give thanks.
"Thank you. We can't say it enough," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "It's because of them (donors, alumni) that we are allowed to do this, and we are going to continue to love on them, thank them, and show our appreciation."
The first major construction project on the athletics campus since the opening of the Convocation Center in 1998, the Student Athlete Performance Center is the first phase of the athletic department's plan to build a safe and highly-effective atmosphere for its student-athletes through the continual revitalization of its facilities and athletic campus.
Breaking ground in the fall of 2018, the new sports medicine and training facilities provides a 63,000 square foot structure that houses the sports medicine, performance and equipment operations areas. Additionally, the facility has locker rooms, coaches' offices, and meeting spaces for the football team, while also including a new video board inside Rynearson Stadium. Designed to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience at Eastern Michigan, the two story building offers a wide variety of operational spaces and amenities which allow for that goal to be met.
"I think our legacy is continuing to grow, and I think this building is going to give us access to better equipment and better things and it is only going to improve our game," said EMU soccer student-athlete Sabrina McNeill, adding "I'm excited for the generations that come beyond me."
When entering the building, students and guests first walk along a beautiful 18-foot by 16-foot Block E brick hardscape in which donors shared their EMU stories and support of the project. Through the main entrance is the Clouse Family Atrium, a 1,288 square foot welcome room that displays the championship success of Eastern Michigan athletics throughout its history. The atrium also features a floor-to-ceiling glass panel entrance to Rynearson Stadium, and a 12 foot tall replica Mid-American Conference championship trophy. The trophy, which boasts a large "147," across the front, showcases EMU's athletics success in the MAC, including its conference-best 147 team championships.
The east side of the main-floor houses a new equipment room, which includes offices, a full-service laundry facility, and extensive storage spaces for athletic apparel and uniforms, as well as a state of the art strength and conditioning center. Dubbed "T.J.'s Garage," in honor of EMU great and former NFL Pro-Bowler T.J. Lang, the Thomas J. Lang Strength and Conditioning Center, named after T.J.'s late father, provides 7,000-plus square foot performance center, which includes inlaid weight tracks, cardio training, plyometic training, and a nutrition center. Two roll up garage doors serve as the football team's entrance into "The Factory," at Rynearson Stadium.
Next to the locker room are eight team meeting rooms which house different position groups individually. The area also includes a full-team meeting room equipped with state-of-the-art audio-video equipment, "Block E," branded seating, and a theatre design, which allows the entire team to see and hear clearly.
Down the Michael Hawks Hall on the ground floor is the Phil Incarnati Football Locker Room, a modern space with an industrial flair that includes 115 lockers and access to the Brian Clouse Players Lounge, a space that allows football student-athletes to study, and bond with teammates.
The top-floor portion of the newly constructed building is home to a sports medicine center, hydrotherapy room, recruiting lounge, and entertainment corridor, among other offices.
At nearly 5,000 square feet, the sports medicine center features rehabilitation equipment, medical examine rooms, athletic training offices, and medical storage. The space allows student-athletes across multiple sports the opportunity to be treated by an exceptional staff in first-class facilities. Attached to the sports medicine center is the hydrotherapy room. Containing three in-ground therapy pools, the hydrotherapy room features a underwater treadmill pool, a cold plunge pool, and a hot/cold therapy pool.
"We can provide the care that we need to here, instead of having to take people off of campus," noted staff athletic trainer Danielle Darroch. "Sports Medicine is very thankful to everyone that donated and helped us get this great space."
Overlooking Rynearson Stadium is the recruiting lounge. The 638 square-foot lounge offers a dynamic new entertainment space which is sure to enhance recruiting and alumni experiences for years to come. Along with the lounge comes the entertainment corridor. The corridor will be able to be utilized for entertainment opportunities for invited alumni, friends and fans of Eastern Michigan.
Located on top of the building, the LED display measures 29 feet high by 53 feet wide. The entire scoreboard structure will measure 40 feet high by 60 feet wide to bring more than 2,000 square feet of visual real estate to events held at the stadium. The LED portion of the scoreboard will feature a 15HD pixel layout, the premier technology for outdoor sports used at many professional facilities. A fixed-digit scoreboard is a part of the project to provide standard game information including score, time remaining, down and distance, and more.
For those who were unable to attend tonight's event, be sure to visit EMUEagles.com and follow @EMUAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for upcoming behind-the-scenes looks at the Student-Athlete Performance Center.
Fans can see the new building from "The Factory," inside Rynearson Stadium when EMU opens its home football schedule Saturday, Sept. 21, against Central Connecticut State. Season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Grand Opening Ceremony.
Photo Gallery.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - More than 300 alumni, donors and guests joined staff from the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics and campus administration to usher in a new era in EMU athletics with the grand opening of the Student-Athlete Performance Center tonight, Aug. 27. In use by student-athletes since mid-July, the event welcomed members of the public to the new facility for the first time.
Although the event was an opportunity for those who helped fund the project to fully-experience the fruits of their generosity, it was also an opportunity for the departments employees, coaches, and student-athletes to give thanks.
"Thank you. We can't say it enough," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "It's because of them (donors, alumni) that we are allowed to do this, and we are going to continue to love on them, thank them, and show our appreciation."
The first major construction project on the athletics campus since the opening of the Convocation Center in 1998, the Student Athlete Performance Center is the first phase of the athletic department's plan to build a safe and highly-effective atmosphere for its student-athletes through the continual revitalization of its facilities and athletic campus.
Breaking ground in the fall of 2018, the new sports medicine and training facilities provides a 63,000 square foot structure that houses the sports medicine, performance and equipment operations areas. Additionally, the facility has locker rooms, coaches' offices, and meeting spaces for the football team, while also including a new video board inside Rynearson Stadium. Designed to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience at Eastern Michigan, the two story building offers a wide variety of operational spaces and amenities which allow for that goal to be met.
"I think our legacy is continuing to grow, and I think this building is going to give us access to better equipment and better things and it is only going to improve our game," said EMU soccer student-athlete Sabrina McNeill, adding "I'm excited for the generations that come beyond me."
When entering the building, students and guests first walk along a beautiful 18-foot by 16-foot Block E brick hardscape in which donors shared their EMU stories and support of the project. Through the main entrance is the Clouse Family Atrium, a 1,288 square foot welcome room that displays the championship success of Eastern Michigan athletics throughout its history. The atrium also features a floor-to-ceiling glass panel entrance to Rynearson Stadium, and a 12 foot tall replica Mid-American Conference championship trophy. The trophy, which boasts a large "147," across the front, showcases EMU's athletics success in the MAC, including its conference-best 147 team championships.
🎥: Jill Clouse talks about seeing her late husband honored in the new SAPC.#EMUEagles | #SAPCOpening pic.twitter.com/LD5DNhw1iB
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) August 28, 2019
🎥: @graaay_ talks to @EMUSoccer head coach Scott Hall about how the performance center benefits his student-athletes! #EMUEagles | #SAPCOpening pic.twitter.com/bHs3yy7ug4
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) August 28, 2019
The east side of the main-floor houses a new equipment room, which includes offices, a full-service laundry facility, and extensive storage spaces for athletic apparel and uniforms, as well as a state of the art strength and conditioning center. Dubbed "T.J.'s Garage," in honor of EMU great and former NFL Pro-Bowler T.J. Lang, the Thomas J. Lang Strength and Conditioning Center, named after T.J.'s late father, provides 7,000-plus square foot performance center, which includes inlaid weight tracks, cardio training, plyometic training, and a nutrition center. Two roll up garage doors serve as the football team's entrance into "The Factory," at Rynearson Stadium.
🎥: @EMUFB alum @TJLang70 talks about his donation to the new SAPC!#EMUEagles | #ThankYouDonors | #SAPCOpening pic.twitter.com/yki2lFWQOK
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) August 28, 2019
🎥: @graaay_ shows off the new team meeting room!#EMUEagles | #ThankYouDonors | #SAPCOpening pic.twitter.com/Xo9afId6TU
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) August 28, 2019
Down the Michael Hawks Hall on the ground floor is the Phil Incarnati Football Locker Room, a modern space with an industrial flair that includes 115 lockers and access to the Brian Clouse Players Lounge, a space that allows football student-athletes to study, and bond with teammates.
🎥: Hear from captain Shaq Vann about the new locker room! #EMUEagles | #SAPCOpening pic.twitter.com/BlTVJAgMP4
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) August 27, 2019
🎥: Kymani Brown talks about the benefits of the new athletic training room! #EMUEagles | #SAPCOpening pic.twitter.com/gqFfaJEykr
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) August 28, 2019
"We can provide the care that we need to here, instead of having to take people off of campus," noted staff athletic trainer Danielle Darroch. "Sports Medicine is very thankful to everyone that donated and helped us get this great space."
Overlooking Rynearson Stadium is the recruiting lounge. The 638 square-foot lounge offers a dynamic new entertainment space which is sure to enhance recruiting and alumni experiences for years to come. Along with the lounge comes the entertainment corridor. The corridor will be able to be utilized for entertainment opportunities for invited alumni, friends and fans of Eastern Michigan.
Located on top of the building, the LED display measures 29 feet high by 53 feet wide. The entire scoreboard structure will measure 40 feet high by 60 feet wide to bring more than 2,000 square feet of visual real estate to events held at the stadium. The LED portion of the scoreboard will feature a 15HD pixel layout, the premier technology for outdoor sports used at many professional facilities. A fixed-digit scoreboard is a part of the project to provide standard game information including score, time remaining, down and distance, and more.
For those who were unable to attend tonight's event, be sure to visit EMUEagles.com and follow @EMUAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for upcoming behind-the-scenes looks at the Student-Athlete Performance Center.
Fans can see the new building from "The Factory," inside Rynearson Stadium when EMU opens its home football schedule Saturday, Sept. 21, against Central Connecticut State. Season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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