Pictured (L-R): Katie Reed, SGA president; Billy Hasty ’67, Board of Trustees chairman; Isherwood; Garland Reynolds, architect; William Popp, athletic director; Chris Britton and Matt Smith, Brasfield & Gorrie representatives; and Steve Holcombe, United Community Bank president

On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, Reinhardt University broke ground on its new Athletic Field House, slated for completion in early fall 2012. Students, faculty, staff, trustees, community members and distinguished guests were in attendance.

“This is a very positive day for Reinhardt University; one of many to come,” said Dr. J. Thomas Isherwood, president, during the groundbreaking ceremony. “The field house will give us the opportunity for every sport in Reinhardt athletics to have a home; every student athlete will now have a place to call their own.

“We will also have the addition of a new turf field where we will play football, soccer and lacrosse,” he continued. “In my opinion, we are going to have the best athletic facilities to go along with the best athletic teams in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).”

The 22,000 square foot facility will have locker rooms and coaches offices for baseball, football, softball, and men’s and women’s soccer, along with a 4,800 square foot weight room, training and meeting rooms, and concessions. An athletic turf field will be located adjacent to the building—directly outside the weight room.  

“There are many people that made today possible, and that we need to thank,” said Isherwood.  “First, our Board of  Trustees. They have backed us with their ‘all-in’ attitude. We have the strong commitment, dedication and energy of the Board, and we are very thankful for what they have done.

“We also have many friends that have made this possible: Garland Reynolds, the architect of this new facility and many other buildings on campus; Brasfield & Gorrie, who are our general contractors for the project; and United Community Bank, under President Steve Holcombe, who have deep trust in Reinhardt and have backed us by funding the construction of this facility.”

Reinhardt officials, representatives from Brasfield & Gorrie, Garland Reynolds and Steve Holcombe participated in the official “groundbreaking” part of the ceremony.

Athletic Director Bill Popp summed up the occasion. “There is so much excitement and growth around the athletic department but it does not stop over here. There is growth on this entire campus, and it really is a great time to be at this special place called Reinhardt University.”

Tags: athletic field house, facilities, Reinhardt athletics, Reinhardt University