The University of Memphis (UM) has opened a new student wellness center featuring state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor sports equipment.
The $31 million facility has expanded cardio and weight training areas, four group fitness studios, basketball courts, and three tennis courts. It also has a teaching kitchen, indoor track, outdoor pool, and a lecture space.
“Wellness is at the core of what a great school is supposed to be all about,” former UM Interim President Brad Martin said. “There’s not an element of this community that’s wellness is not impacted by the work of this great University. This is a physical demonstration of the incredible progress this University has made the past eight years.”
The new wellness center will operate alongside the university’s existing Student Recreation and Sports Complex. They will provide programming support for basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball, and indoor swimming.
According to UM President David Rudd, the multimillion-dollar facility shows that the school is committed to student wellness and general education. “It’s a great addition to the infrastructure of the University of Memphis and all of it benefits the broader Memphis community,” he explained to Local Memphis.
Great to be able to recognize the many, many contributions of Brad Martin today and open a fabulous facility. Go Tigers. pic.twitter.com/SNxAH8BYq5
— Dr. M. David Rudd (@UofMemphisPres) June 30, 2021
Bringing Excitement
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Wednesday, UM student government president Matthew White told the crowd that he is the most excited about the opening of the new facility. He expressed that the wellness center would provide support for the school’s annual intramurals.
Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway also shared his thoughts, saying that the construction of such a facility is an “upgrade” for the university.
“As the years go, things evolve. To see what we had compared to what the students of 2021 have, it’s incredible!” he remarked to The Commercial Appeal. “And that’s what the university’s supposed to do, continue to grow. That helps us with recruiting students to come to school. It helps us in recruiting athletes. It helps us all the way around.”
Named After Ex-Interim President
UM decided to name the new training center after Martin, an alumnus and retired chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated. He has been serving as a member of the UM Board of Trustees since 2017.
“I can’t imagine a more fitting building to carry the name of Brad Martin,” Rudd stated. “He has been dedicated to student wellness since his days as a student at the UofM. Much of his work has been done outside the public view, but has been essential to the progress of this University and our community.”