Athletic dept struggles to get students to work out on campus
By: Kofi Agyeman
Staff Writer
Hudson Valley Community College athletic facilities are almost invisible to students even when it’s inside the largest building on campus.
Located in room 195 of the McDonough Sports Complex, the fitness room has scales and plenty of equipment for a substantial cardio workout.
“I think it’s enough for the ‘common people,’” said Maeve Uhalde, a human services major. “[It’s ideal for] the people who don’t exactly want to completely bulk up or want to be benching or squatting 500 pounds.”
Uhalde works in the fitness center and sees ’s first-hand how forgotten it is.
“People had requested ‘can we open [the fitness center in Hudson Hall]?’ and we did,” Uhalde said. “We listened to the people and nobody really seems to show up,” she said. “They see about six to seven people a night and we see about twelve a day.”
Student-athletes seem to have no issue finding a place to break a sweat though. “The [gym] next to the basketball court is very convenient,” Kyle Chester, chemical engineering major said. “The scale is something little, but it’s a big improvement, because the basketball, football and soccer players, people that wanna lose weight or gain weight, test themselves every day and see that progress.”
Players on school athletic teams do have access to a separate weight room on campus for lifting and more intensive workouts. This would be for some other students with heftier goals for themselves.
“I do not work out or have a gym membership,” Tamia Peguero, a business administration major said. She does not play for the basketball team but mentions that she manages to get a game in every now and then.
She described her thoughts on how the fitness centers could improve. “Making it look better, personally, and I think we need new machines,” Peguero said.
The results regarding the tennis courts, racquetball courts, indoor track and other facilities are grim by compare. Each are located in the basement, which makes it undesirable to go to. You may have to provide your own equipment which can also be a burden.
Many students suggested that if there were lessons, leagues or someone to play games with, they’d give serious consideration to making an appearance.
But all of this comes down to a single issue: awareness.
If more students knew about the opportunities Hudson Valley Community College has to stay active maybe more students would use the resources.
The fitness rooms are opened from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Hudson Hall room stays open later Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The racquetball courts are open from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Conway Ice Rink is open from noon- 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The rink is open from 4- 6:15 p.m. on weekends as well. Admission is free for students and rentals are $3.
For more information, check out the athletic departments Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HVCC.PhysicalEducation/.