Varsity weight room open

Joe Bubar Guest Writer

Vassar athletics has made another improvement, opening a new Varsity Athletics Weight Room in Kenyon Hall before October Break.

Though not entirely completed, the new weight room has both power and Olympic-style lifting equipment and platforms “designed for sports-specific movements,” said baseball Head Coach Jon Martin. “While the [Athletics Center] Fitness Center has the capacity for strength training, it is more aerobic specific,” said Director of Athletics & Physical Education, Sharon Beverly, “the Varsity Weight Room is more strength specific.”

Beverly considered the weight room one way Vassar athletics could benefit from Kenyon Hall. The plan entailed transforming the old erg room into the new weight room and the old batting cage room into the new erg room in Kenyon. To develop her vision, Beverly sought the help of Martin and Head Athletic Trainer Jeff Carter, both of whom are certified strength conditioners. Once they had created a plan, Beverly presented it to the Vassar administration.

According to Beverly, most of the teams in the Liberty League already have varsity weight rooms, and she feels it is a step in the right direction. “This is a necessary step to develop into one of the top four teams in the League,” she said. She noted that the weight room will help to make the weak programs stronger and the strong programs even better.

Only varsity athletes are allowed in the new weight room, and must have completed an orientation prior to lifting. But the new weight room doesn’t only benefits varsity athletes. “It helps the whole Vassar community,” said Beverly. “The new varsity weight room gives us the opportunity to free up space at the fitness center for the rest of the community to use and enjoy.”