In The Post, I read another article about the OU “purpose” facility that will be built. I call it the “purpose” facility because, if the current building plans are brought to fruition, it will truly serve only one purpose: football.
Now as I understand it, and as it was explained to myself and other athletes who compete for the “green and white,” this money, donated by the Walter family, was given to provide a multipurpose facility and renovations to the Convocation Center. Countless nights I’ve spent thinking about the state of this institution.
I’ve read the articles by Dr. Vedder. I’ve sat through Dr. Hays’ forums on Intercollegiate Athletics and his question, “Should ICA be university-sponsored?”
I’ve overheard complaints from strangers at Donkey Coffee and Espresso as they sat there with a friend, mad about the money they give to Athletics in their General Fees while they couldn’t even stream videos anymore on the university wireless.
All of them are asking a similar question, “What is wrong with Ohio University?” It’s the careless decision-making of this place. It’s not the careless decisions of the students. Going out on a Wednesday and skipping your Thursday class never hurt anyone except your grades. I’m talking about the careless decisions I see from the administration year to year. It’s upsetting to stand on those Baker University Center escalators and think of the men’s swimming and diving program that once was. I don’t want them to make any more mistakes.
Now, a letter to the editor in The Post is never going to change their minds, but what I wish to do is provide a couple of things that I feel the general public of OU must know.
Last year, Youngstown State University, with donations of $12.3 million, built a beautiful facility that houses not only a 100-yard football field but also a 300-meter state-of-the-art Mondo track surface, two long-jump pits, a high-jump pit, four batting cages, protective netting, a training room and locker rooms. The public is allowed to run on the track in the winter months for a fee of just $3.
Collegiate and high-school indoor-track meets will be hosted there during the coming winter months. The facility also will accommodate intramural sports, campuswide activities and special events benefiting students, faculty, staff and the community throughout the year.
As for now, the only thing in the base plan for this facility is a nice looking outside and a football field inside — one purpose.
For now, I think, instead of breaking ground and working on the base plan that does not include a 300-meter indoor track, we should write up a new base plan and raise some more money. There are other athletes who need a place to practice in the winter — athletes who actually have a competitive season from the months of December to March. Those athletes are the women on the track and field team.
If you’re thinking about studying medicine, physical therapy or athletic training, then go watch those women sprint intervals on the marble floor of The Convo. Your knees will start to hurt just looking at them, and the future health care professional in you will ask them please to stop. If you didn’t, that would be negligence. If the university doesn’t re-evaluate, they’re just plain irresponsible.
Sean Kelley is a pre-med senior studying biological science.
