New 'Fieldhouse' to benefit all

Heidelberg University is in the process of building a new Student Athletics, Academic and Recreation Center dubbed "The Fieldhouse." This building will serve everyone on the Heidelberg campus—student athletes and non-athlete students alike. Faculty and staff members, as well as members of the community, will be able to partake in the events hosted in this 110,000-square-foot building. The facility will include three indoor basketball courts—one made out of wood; a 200-meter competition-level track and field space; a turf field for sports and marching band; a training room; locker rooms; classrooms for exercise science, health science, sports management and the graduate athletic training program; leadership development and team-building space; a lobby for special events and social gatherings; and an upper-level mezzanine for events with two-sided viewing. The total project cost is around $28 million, and $13 million has been received to date. Cash pledges include $13 million as well, and there is a remaining $2 million needed through fundraising. Demolition is nearly complete, and the site has been fenced. Planning is underway to relocate utilities and begin site work with completion expected late summer of 2025. "The opportunity for students to do more in their sport, in class and on campus," said HU's Director of Athletics, Greg Cooper. "Due to our lack of indoor facilities for athletics, teams are practicing anywhere from 4:30 a.m.-11 p.m. With more access, they can practice earlier, engage in other extracurricular activities and get a good night's sleep to allow for better learning success." Cooper went on to explain that the Fieldhouse will permit students and the community to take on a plethora of new experiences, which includes new club sports teams, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, youth camps and more. "We hope to have programming for all students and community members in the facility," Cooper added. "We have plans for new academic programs and growing our current academic offerings. We also hope this will allow us to add new programs that we cannot support in our current facility situation. Ideally, we have activity in the building from dawn to late night, year-round." Jason Miller, head volleyball coach at HU and senior men's administrator, said this facility is much-needed and has been talked about for a long time. "I can't begin to explain how it will change the lives of all our student athletes for the better," he said. Miller, who is also a '98 HU alumni, said he looks forward to utilizing the additional space for practices, and being able to have more space for fitness and strength training, as it will eliminate the stress the teams have on their current space. "Currently, with only one gym on campus, I can see many opportunities for all our athletic teams to have additional practice space," he said. "The space will provide the opportunity to build a robust intramural program for all our students to participate in and allow for the addition of new athletic teams along with increasing our rosters in others…The Fieldhouse will put us at the top of the Ohio Athletic Conference in athletic and recreational space. It will be a transformational building in the recruitment of future students. It will become exponentially important in retaining our current students." According to administration at the university, the new Student Athletics, Academic and Recreation Center will elevate Heidelberg in the OAC, making it one of the best facilities in the Midwest. This new facility will be located on the site of the Senior Apartments near Main Street. "A lot of value will be provided by this new addition to our campus and the community at large but for our students and our athletes, we are breaking barriers," said Ashley Helmstetter, associate vice president for advancement, alumni and community relations. "We are creating athletic practice spaces that will allow our student-athletes to finish their athletic requirements during normal activity hours and without inclement weather delays. Our student-athletes can commit additional time to study, socialize and engage more with the community." In addition, the creation of the Fieldhouse aims to invite and strengthen community partnerships within and beyond Tiffin and Seneca County. "I want to see everyone taking advantage of this new facility and all that it has to offer but most importantly, I want to see our students being their best and achieving success in the classroom and all of the athletic practice spaces," Helmstetter added. For additional information and gifting options, visit the Heidelberg Alumni homepage or contact Helmstetter by calling 419-448-2331 or emailing ahelmste@heidelberg.edu. "The Student Athletics, Academic and Recreational Center is truly transformational for Heidelberg University," said HU President Rob Huntington. "This facility will lift everyone up!"