Work starts on new LSSU gym floor

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

************************ LSSU gym floor campaign successful, construction underway

SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. - Lake Superior State University’s Home Court Advantage campaign to install a permanent wooden floor in Cooper Gymnasium has reached its $300,000 fundraising goal.

Thanks to the generous support of alumni, local businesses, foundations, and friends of Laker athletics, construction is now underway.

“Looking back, this was a daunting task just over a year ago,” said Bob Kjolhede, campaign co-chair and 1976 basketball alumnus. “We are very proud of how the supporters of Laker athletics pulled together to make this project a reality for our current student-athletes and those that follow.”

The Home Court Advantage campaign began in March 2006 and developed into a team of 50 volunteers that worked to receive 216 donations for a total of $301,122.

About 25 percent of the donations were from first-time contributors.

“With this many new donors stepping forward to support the program it is very encouraging,” stated campaign co-chair Kevin Cooper ’79. “This bodes well for the future as we continue to meet the challenges of funding a successful athletic program here at Lake State.”

The renovation will install a permanent wall-to-wall hardwood floor to replace a portable wood floor that has been in use for the past seven years.

Some overhead baskets will also be overhauled and exterior doors replaced.

Work started in early May and will continue for six to eight weeks.

“Our coaches and student-athletes are really looking forward to playing on the new surface next season,” said Kris Dunbar, director of athletics. “The floor is going to be so positive for us in terms of limiting injuries to our basketball and volleyball players, and is a much needed enhancement to a gymnasium that serves our students and the community.”

Laker volleyball will be the first to compete on the new surface when their season begins in August.

A formal dedication is planned for Saturday, October 20, during Great Lake State Weekend.

PHOTO CAPTION: Contractors with Baseman Floors of Appleton, Wisc., prep three layers of the original rubberized floor in Lake Superior State University’s Cooper Gym before fitting a plywood underlayer. LSSU alums and friends are underwriting LSSU’s first permanent all-wooden floor, slated for completion this summer.

LSSU photo by Jen Crawford

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