The new Athletic Center features new exercise equipment for the young and talented Hood Blazers teams to use for practice and their own leisure, with the addition of several wall flat-screened televisions for their entertainment.
It is also placed at an ideal location for the team and the public view the sports activities. Placed adjacently at the edge of the Thomas Athletic Field, where outside games can take place, the center’s two floor observation areas can be an ideal location for spectators to view games.
Local firms Warner Construction and Zavos Architecture + Design teamed up to construct the 41,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art multipurpose facility, which includes a 1,600-seat arena with space for 500 additional floor-level seats, an observation deck, a two-level fitness center and cardio room, an athletic training room, locker rooms, an athletic hall of fame recognition display, a concession area, a hospitality and meeting room and office spaces.
When President Volpe and members of the board of trustees finally cut that ribbon to open the new facility, it was as if a large sigh of relief fell onto the audience as President Volpe’s latest labor of love was finally complete and open to the Hood community to enjoy. He could not thank the construction companies and design enough for their hard work and dedication for the effort put into this center. The site has been under construction since January when President Volpe first broke ground on the site.
Hundreds gathered in BB&T Arena
BB&T Arena will serve as Hood's Homefield for the opening of the center and a few took a few minutes to discuss their viewpoint on the Athletic Center’s completion, the hard work put in by President Volpe and the construction crew, and what the center means for Hood and the Frederick community.
After the ribbon was cut, three locals took the time
out of wandering the new stadium to answer some questions about what they thought about the new center.
Nick Merill was the first. Nick is a graduate student who happens to work for the new athletic center and seemed to be enjoying his first day on the new scene.
On speaking on what makes the new center so exciting, Nick replied, “It has new equipment. It is definitely bigger than Gambrill and it actually provides a basketball court that is actually on campus.”
Nick spoke on what could make this addition to the campus a valuable part of the community. “Everyone will be happy with working with new equipment and games will be more accessible to students.”
Nick believes that the new center, as well as the new road installations, proves that the campus has definitely outdone itself with the radical changes. “We are getting better and better every year.”
Nick is also a firm believer that the center is going to work wonders for the athletic programs here at Hood. “It will boost everything by serving as a recruiting method and athletes can use it to get better.”
Hood Track and Field Star Michael Richter Answering the same questions is track and field athlete for Hood is Michael Richter. Michael is a senior who will savor his time at the center for as long as he is enrolled at Hood.
On the subject of the center as a source of excitement, Richter responded, “It is new enough, looks good with the new equipment and especially the fitness center.”
“This is a great atmosphere for
bringing the community together to watch the teams play,” Richter said on how this center can bring the local community together.
When asked if Hood College has outdone itself with this project, Richter gave a simple reply, “It has always been part of what Hood wanted to do which is live up to goals.”
“This center is good for perspectives. It really shows passion for the athletic programs here,” Michael said when asked if the Athletic Center will improve the quality of the athletics department.
Also at the unveiling of the new center was Kevin Quirk, a local Frederick resident, who gave his own opinion on what the center means for Hood and Frederick.
“It really shows that Hood is moving forward as an institution. Something they’ve tried to do for 40 years is compete with other schools and now they can really do that.”
“This center should be really great for the Frederick community, if they plan to use it for outside organizations and special events. This will absolutely be a great addition to Hood.”
“I think this center for Hood is a symbol of how far the college has come since President Volpe came here ten years ago. Hood is definitely on the upswing of something special.”
“This place will improve the athletics programs without question. It is hard for teams to not have a place like this and train with new equipment.”
The center is only open for Hood students and athletes and the hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7:00 am-10:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am-5:00 pm.