Where Bearcats Grow Stronger

Bearcat athletes are training for competition in a new 7,500-square-foot Sports Performance and Wrestling Center in the Lebanon Commons shopping center on the west side of town. The new facility contains 2,400 square feet of artificial turf, the tallest squat racks made, over 19,000 pounds of free weights, and three sets of five to 100-pound dumbbells. A cushioned floor made of recycled athletic shoes provides comfort and safety in the weight training area. A giant photo of Bearcat student athletes from every sport stretches across the back wall. Banners from recent championship years hang in the adjacent Wrestling Center, where McKendree’s nationally ranked men’s and women’s teams hold their practices and workouts. The new center was made possible by a collaboration and long-term lease agreement with Lebanon Commons developer Dean Oelze. Donors gave gifts to outfit the weight room and purchase mats for the Wrestling Center.

 

Participating in the ribbon cutting were Dr. James Dennis, president; Dean and Amanda Oelze, developers of Lebanon Commons; Chuck Brueggemann ’88, athletic director; Jordan Fark ’09, strength and conditioning coach; Caty Ponce ’15, Student Athletic Advisory Committee president; Sam Schmitz, women’s wrestling coach; and Mary Alice Koriath, Lebanon alderwoman.

 

 

A crowd gathered for the March 20, 2014 open house of the new Sports Performance and Wrestling Centers at 109 Perryman St. in Lebanon Commons.