Thursday, February 25, 2010
Click Here to View the ENMU Weight Training Facility
PORTALES, N.M.- The Eastern New Mexico University athletic department officially opened their new weight
room on Thursday afternoon with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which New Mexico Senator Stuart Ingle, ENMU President Dr. Steven Gamble, athletic director Dr. Jeff Geiser and ENMU Hall of Honor inductees: B.B. Lees, Wayne Moore, Carl Richardson and Bill Joy all were in attendance. The ENMU coaching staffs also attended, in addition to numerous student athletes from all 14 teams.
"We have gone from worst to first in the Lone Star Conference in terms of weight training facilities," said Geiser. "This rivals what some NCAA Division I programs have and is something that our program can take pride in."
The facility is located adjacent to the ENMU softball complex, near Greyhound Arena and covers a spacious 5,260 square feet. The primary contractor for the facility was Nick Griego & Son. The strength and conditioning equipment was purchased through Samson, a premier company based in Las Cruces, N.M. The company provides equipment to several NCAA Division I universities and professional teams. The Everlast-Regrupo flooring was purchased the Fitness Superstore in Albuquerque and the mirrors were bought from Westbrook Glass in nearby Clovis. Trader Horn/Tru Value in Portales installed the carpeting and the sound system was purchased from Tarpley Media Systems.
The opening of the top of the line facility has energized the Eastern New Mexico University coaching staffs with the benefit of attracting better athletes and helping give teams more of an edge on the playing field. Many of the Greyhound and Zia student athletes have already enjoyed use of the facility over the last two months.
"We are delighted about the new weight room, it is one of the best facilities in the Lone Star Conference," said football coach Mark Ribaudo. "It is a new source of pride for our athletic department. Not only will it help us to recruit better student athletes, but it will help make the ones we have faster, stronger and more competitive."
"Eastern athletes are so excited about their new facility," said Zia basketball coach Linden Weese. "No doubt in their minds that it will be a difference maker. Thanks for the boost to our program."
"The new weight room for Athletics at Eastern will benefit our program and all the sports by allowing our athletes to become bigger, faster and stronger," said Greyhound basketball coach Andrew Helton. "It will also be a source of pride for our individual athletes and will assist recruiting quality student-athletes to Portales."
"The new weight facility is a great asset to ENMU Athletics," said Zia softball coach Lauren Sigwing. "We can do so much more with our strength and conditioning programs now which should help in all facets of our programs making our athletes, stronger, faster, and less prone to injury."
"The new athletic weight training building is a tremendous addition to our athletic facilities here at Eastern New Mexico University," said Zia soccer coach Ray Nause. "Our women's soccer players have been excited to utilize this first class facility for our strength training program. This is just another example of the outstanding progress and growth in the development of our overall athletic program here at Eastern New Mexico."
