When visitors to campus were shown our Gym in the Daisy Williams Gymnasium, the response would be silence, or occasionally a remark like,  “how quaint.”  Missy Ackerman ’87, who did some research several years ago on athletics facilities in NCAA member institutions nationwide, discovered that ours was the oldest functioning gymnasium in the entire country.  While a distinction of this nature may please historians and antiques aficionados, it has only helped to set us back in the competitive worlds of athletics and even student life.  Since the 1980’s our Physical Education and Athletics faculty and staff have been working diligently to raise awareness of the urgent need to upgrade our fitness and athletic facilities.  Numerous studies have been carried out and proposals presented to the Administration, and for a long time it seemed that the College was not ready to embrace this project as a priority.

But all of this is now history.  Not only do we have a new state-of-the-art fitness and athletic facility, but our “antique” gymnasium has been upgraded with a beautiful new floor that will enhance our volleyball program.  Our new building will serve not only our athletics and physical education programs but as a gathering place for the entire Sweet Briar community, complete with a theater, a dining area, an indoor track, racquetball courts and a wellness resource room, not to mention the large indoor space for major campus events.  This multifaceted facility exemplifies the College’s commitment to excellence in athletics, and beyond this to its interest in nurturing the development of the “whole person”--physically, emotionally and socially as well as intellectually and spiritually.

As a past Department Chair/Athletic Director and now the oldest member of the Physical Education and Athletics faculty, it gives me great joy to see this project finally come to fruition.  But even greater is my sense of GRATITUDE to all who have given so much of their time, energy and financial resources to make this happen.  I will not begin mentioning names as I will inevitably leave someone out, and there are so many who have contributed to this effort.  I can only say my humble “thank you,” as inadequate as that is.  Our new facility is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of Sweet Briar Board members, alumnae, administrators, faculty, staff and students of many generations, and may it usher us into the 21^st century in a big and long-overdue way!