By Tanya Murtagh
The Fresno State’s Meyers Family Sports Medicine Center is underway as contractors have broken ground and have started work. This $6 million project will act as a “student-athlete village” and will bring all the athletes and staff together under one roof.
“I think the concept is great,” athletic trainer Elise Kramer said. “I think it will be a convenient ‘one-stop shop’ area for our student-athletes.”
The sports medicine facility is due for completion in fall 2013 and will be available to all 425 student-athletes.
The 10,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will feature updated equipment in the training room. It will include hydrotherapy pools, rehabilitation equipment, treatment space, nutrition area, on-site X-ray and a student-athlete lounge. This will allow athletes to prepare for games and recover in a top-notch facility.
“There will be updated equipment, but the most exciting new piece of equipment will be the underwater treadmill,” Kramer said.
Not only will the underwater treadmill be more readily available to all student-athletes in need of specific therapeutic tools, but this new facility will help bring the staff and students together.
“Another benefit to the new sports medicine center is having the full staff office in one space,” said Ashley Pierce, a graduate intern athletic trainer. “This will allow for more perspective and expertise when needed on cases.”
The facility will allow students-athletes an advanced quality of care.
“The new facility’s layout and amenities will allow the sports medicine team to increase the quality of care for student-athletes,” Pierce said.
The Save Mart Center, along the addition of the Meyers Family Sports Medicine Center, will help in recruiting prospective student-athletes.
“I think it will help us be more competitive with the colleges and universities that are already one step ahead of us in their facilities,” Kramer said. “It shows that we want our student-athletes to be successful and will help them succeed.”
Marvin Meyers is an alumnus of Fresno State (Class of ‘56). Meyers is a successful farmer who grows almonds in the Mendota area.
Without the Meyers family, this privately funded $6 million project would not have been possible.
“I am grateful to the Meyers family for their donation and generosity,” Fresno State women’s golf player Taylor Wilkinson said. “I think this will help our performance and overall condition.”
Creating a “Student-athlete Village” and bringing everyone together under the same roof will bring a sense of togetherness. “It will also help all the student- athletes come together as a community and share the bulldog pride,” Wilkinson said.
While bringing a sense of community into one area it “will undoubtedly also agitate clique mentality and general gossip,” Pierce added.
This new project has brought great optimism and confidence amongst the student-athletes. “This will enhance ones college experience during their time here at Fresno State.” Wilkinson said. “I am looking forward to the completion and opening of the Meyers Family Sports Medicine Center in the fall.”