Goodman Center to open doors, expand athlete training resources

The new Lillian and Larry Goodman Center, opening its doors in December, looks to give Roosevelt University athletes the chance to train less than a block away from the Wabash and Auditorium buildings. It’s also expected to provide students with the opportunity to attend home games on university property.

Currently, student athletes train at different locations, depending on the sport. The new field house will help decrease the cost it takes to bus 12 teams to games held at different locations. 

For instance, men’s and women’s basketball teams use the University of Illinois at Chicago training facility. However, distance often limits training time for student athletes. 

Michael Cassidy is the director of intercollegiate athletics at the university and is involved with bus coordination efforts, as different Roosevelt teams travel to games. He said he hopes that with use of the Goodman Center, students can shoot hoops during a lunch break and build their workout regimen around their school schedule in a much more efficient way.

The two-story facility houses athletic department staff offices, a training room, locker rooms and student lounges. It is located on the corner of Congress Parkway and Wabash Avenue.

Cassidy believes that having a fitness and training center close to campus will also pave the way for intramural leagues for sports, such as basketball and floor hockey, that can be used by all Roosevelt students.

“I think that’s the next step in the evolution of Roosevelt athletics: to create more opportunities for every student, to really go beyond just varsity athletics, to help come up with some health, wellness and fitness platforms for every student to be involved in,” Cassidy said.

Are you excited for the Goodman Center’s doors to open this semester? Tweet us your thoughts at @RUTORCH.