I have to be honest with you, when I came for my interview last march there was not that much to the building, it seemed to me to be a skeleton that everyone was so proud of. It was not until I began to really immerse myself in Sweet Briar that I understood what this building meant to campus, and yes I do mean campus.

I am sure that there are many people out there that wonder what this new building has to do with them, people who think its is simply an athletics building. Well friend you would be wrong. This is a new gateway in the pink bubble. This is a place where all can come and relax and enjoy. Sure athletes will be excited to have locker rooms that don’t have poles in the middle, or a training room that they can fit into, or even the ability to practice inside when it is nasty outside. Those things are great, and yes of course I am happy that the hockey team will have a place to watch films, but I think that I am most excited about what this building will do for all of campus.

It is my firm belief that it will help to connect people, it will connect departments that have never worked together before, and it will help us all to work on a concept that we learned in kindergarten… sharing.  Yes, that word came from me a coach who always thinks her team is first.  But really take a look at the idea that many people can use this building to hang out, have meetings, learn a new game, or even make new friends.  It is my hope and belief that this building is something that the rest of campus wants to share with us. I believe the building will become a place where athletes and non-athletes can join together.

On a more personal note I am really just excited to have walls. Yes, the simple thing that divides offices, something that I am currently lacking. With all the construction for the new building the department has had to juggle around, so I moved into a cubby connected to the Tennis and Lacrosse offices.  The simple things are the things that we take for granted, so personally I am really looking forward to having a space that has walls, a clear beginning and a clear ending as an office.

And of course for a real team player like me, this new building makes me excited to think that perhaps we can find a few new faculty/staff that will want to come out and play with our department!!!