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SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
Feb. 12, 2004

Students continue to complain about weight room facilities, lack of room for work-outs

By Justin Fitzgerald
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Not everyone on the Norwich campus is happy.

Last year, students and faculty were excited about changes that had been made, but now people are complaining, again.

Last year, the weight room was renovated, and brand new equipment was put in, and this year, a strength and conditioning coach was hired to work in the gym full-time, helping the students and ensuring that everything goes smoothly. However, there are more students here this year than there were last year, and the weight room sees a constant stream of people.

Compared to last year, the sports teams are much more organized, according to Shawn Carey, 21, a senior political science major from Fort Leavenworth, Kan. They go to the weight room in smaller groups.

"Last year, [the weight room] wasn't as packed as it is this year. I think that's because we have more students, this year," said Melissa Luciano, 20, a junior international studies major from Seoul, South Korea. "Even as an athlete, it's hard to go down there and get an actual workout with your team. The entire team is always backed up. The lines are long, and when you try to go, not everybody gets a chance to do the work out you need to do."

Others agree with Luciano about how crowded the weight room is. Other schools have much bigger weight rooms, according to Carey.

"Despite the increased organizational skills being exhibited by the sports teams, it is still really crowded."

The weight room should be expanded, according to C.J. Ladd, 20, a junior math major from Fort Drum, N.Y. "Other schools have just as many students, but it's twice as big, three times as big, as the weight room here."

"I think that the weight room should be expanded, because there are a lot of times throughout the day when I try to go down there, and it's too packed to even get on the machines," said Jamie Widner-Fulton, 21, a sophomore criminal justice and psychology major from Hollywood, Fla.

"Certain times during the day when they have football players or the rugby team down there, the gym is completely packed, and if you are not on one of the teams, you can't really work out."

Some students do not like the rotation that the sports teams have, and they have trouble getting in there to work out on their own.

"The way the rotation works for the sports teams is kind of annoying when you get down there in the afternoon. Classes end at 4 p.m., and it's really the only time a lot of people have to get down there, and you get down there, and all the other sports teams are down there, as well, so you are all kind of fighting to get on the machines," said Jonathan Swierat, 21, a junior peace war and diplomacy major from Hopewell Junction, N.Y. "I know they all have to do their own thing, but I also kind of want to get down there and work out on my own. It's a bit of a pain."

When the weight room got done over, the old weights should have been kept and put in a useful place, like Shapiro field house, according to Ladd. There are more students, this year, and they need bigger facilities.

The student population is continuing to grow, according to Swierat.

"It's a recipe for disaster. You need more room; you need more facilities, and it doesn't do anybody any good to have a small, tiny weight room."

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.