Are Athletics Facilities a Joke?

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — October 31st, 2003

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Are Athletics Facilities a Joke?

Nobody's laughing, except the schools who come to Howard for competition. It's not the level of competition, however, the Howard Athletic Facilities are not what one would expect of a school such as Howard. 

 

THE MEAC

The face of the MEAC is changing and schools have taken necessary steps to ensure that their athletes have state-of-the-art facilities. Ten schools participate in the MEAC, many of which have recently finished or are in the beginning stages of constructing facilities to house their respective teams. 

The move of FAMU's football team to Division I-A called for improvements to Bragg Memorial Stadium and a multipurpose gymnasium. By 2004, Bragg Stadium will be able to seat 15,000 more spectators along with an upgrade to their concession stands and restrooms. In conjuction with these changes, they plan to build a six-story athletic academic center by the beginning of 2005. 

In Hampton, Virginia, Hampton University renovated their football stadium in 1998 with an addition of bricks to the structure and a refurbished press box. The field was resurfaced along with a brand new scoreboard and a Pro Star Video Screen. 

In the spring of 1999, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore completed the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. The building was named after Dr. William P. Hytche who served as the president of UMES for 211/2 year before retiring in January of 1997. The center houses an Olympic sized pool and a NCAA regulation indoor track. 

The future for Kent County in Delaware will be improving in the next few years with the construction of 

Delaware State's Fitness & Wellness Center. This $30 million project will be available to both the students of DSU and the 125,000 residents of Kent County. Ten million dollars will come from private donations from alumni, staff, churches,, individual donors, and local businesses. 

Howard took steps to improve Greene Stadium's football, soccer, and lacrosse field in the summer of 2001 and the weight room in the basement of Cook Hall was revamp in the fall 2002 through the efforts of the Bison Express.

BURR Gymnasium 

Many students don't know about the racquet ball courts adjacent to the tunnel the football team uses before each game. Though they're not functional due to water damage, students who took the time to walk around Burr they would see other "Bison Did You Know." It's evident why Howard's athletic facilities are the butt of jokes within the MEAC and beyond.

 

LOCKER ROOMS

A varsity athletic team locker room has been renovated, however the general student male and female locker rooms are still 1959 state-of-the-art. Plans for change are in a more forward motion than before. However, some student athletes rarely use the varsity locker rooms. Instead, these athletes prefer to use their coaches' offices as a more secure place to store their personals.

The condition of the women's locker room isn't conducive for students engaging in athletics, physical education or recreation. The main issue is a sense of security. 

The door at the rear entrance continually requires fixing along with the deplorable conditions of the toilets and shower stalls. 

 

WEIGHT ROOM

The machines and equipment in Cook are exclusive to student athletes leaving the weight rooms in Burr for the remainder of the campus. Ventilation is either very little or none at all as the heat and perspiration can be felt in the air. 

The main concerns of students are the conditions and safety of the machines.

Dominique Pender, senior finance major gave his thoughts about the situation of the weight room.

"It's pretty bad. It's to the point where I don't even go down there. I'd rather spend my money at Bally's. If the machines break, you know they'll be fixed." 

Overcrowding leaves little space for movement and several machines either do not work or worn down to the sponge cushion and wood framing because of age and extended use. 

 

OTHER MISCELLANIOUS ISSUES

Aside from the weight rooms and locker rooms, little problems add to the overall dissatisfaction of the students.

"Who are they treating," said a junior Economic majorwho chose to remain nameless. "What are they doing, treating one player at a time. They need more space."

Hardy is referring to the training room that is barely large enough for ten athletes and is shared by a few hundred athletes and 12 collegiate sports with additional tables in the hallway for treatment. 

The lower gym, which is used by intramural basketball, badminton and other PE classes, suffered from a flood that warped the floor. The reconstruction was completed, however, the finished floor can be easily recognized from the original because of the discoloration. 

Within some areas of Burr, athletes are greeted with a stained carpet from the leaking air conditioner and two mouse traps in front of coaches and assisant coaches doors. 

In the world of sports either you have the necessary resources to compete or you fall behind. 

In spite of the condition of the facilities, the HU athletic programs have produced numerous championships. Cathy Parson, Women's Basketball Head Coach has won 2 consecutive MEAC titles and the women's cross country team successfully defended their title of a year early. This phemonenon can't be explained.

What can or should be done to spark changes for improvements?