For Immediate Release: Friday, 5 December 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FACILITY A FIRST FOR UTPA ATHLETICS

EDINBURG, TX - The University of Texas-Pan American's athletic department has struck gold with a new addition that promises to give all of its student athletes a competitive edge.

A 2,500 square foot facility, the first of its kind for UTPA athletics, features state-of-the-art equipment and will allow the Broncs and Lady Broncs access to the latest in strength and conditioning technology.

"This is a major step forward for our athletic program," said William J. Weidner, UTPA's Director of Athletics. "This new facility is yet another example of the outstanding commitment that the University has made to our athletic program and its future success."

UTPA's coaches are unanimous in their enthusiasm. "We're very blessed that the university and the athletic department provided us with this new facility," said UTPA Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Ricky Vaughn. "It's equipped with Sorinex equipment, and Sorinex is probably the premier company in the United States. They custom build all their machines. Our facility is very well-constructed and modern, and it fits the needs for athletics."

The equipment includes five multi-station racks on hardwood platforms. Each platform allows student-athletes to train in a variety of ways, and each station is self-contained. The facility also includes free weights, bench press stations and cardio-vascular equipment.

Previously, UTPA student-athletes used the same weight facilities available to the general student population. With the addition of a new facility exclusively for student-athletes, the original weight room is now more available for general student population use. At the same time, the new facility meets the high demand created by 14 athletic teams which train and compete year-round.

"It's incredible," said Vaughn. "It allows us freedom to work around our student-athletes' classes to get them into the weight room. It's also designed more for training athletes than a general fitness weight room. We're going to be able to train our student-athletes much better, so that hopefully, it will help improve their performance and keep them healthier and more injury-free. We'll be able to be much more efficient than we used to be."

The new weight room could help keep student-athletes out of the training room. "It's a great step forward," said UTPA Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Jim Lancaster. "It will help us a great deal in terms of preventing injuries. Student-athletes who are physically stronger are less prone to injuries."

The facility will benefit all 14 sports programs at UTPA. "The weight room is just another piece of the puzzle, as we continue to grow as an athletic department," said UTPA Head Men's Basketball Coach Bob Hoffman. "The strength and conditioning aspect of playing the game continues to be more important every year."

Women's Basketball Head Coach DeAnn Craft agrees. "It gives us a competitive advantage, and helps us level the playing field," said Craft. "We now have access to a first-class, top-notch strength facility that will set our program apart from other programs. For a program like ours, it is equally important on the recruiting side. It also gives us the ability to take a player and make them stronger, faster and more agile. It's huge."

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