FOR THE LOVE OF FITNESS

The Arthur Sheriff Field House was constructed in 1966 in honor of one of the Academy’s most remembered head of school: Sheriff, who led the school from 19221966. Today, 60 years later, the lower level of the building has been renovated in memory of another Cheshire Academy community member: Armando Simosa ’08.

ARMANDO SIMOSA ’08

IN LOVING MEMORY

The Armando Simosa ’08 Athletics Performance Complex is a combination of a newly renovated Strength & Conditioning Room and a brand new Fitness Center dedicated in honor of the former student, who tragically died in a 2009 car accident shortly after completing his PG year at the Academy. The new complex is made possible by a leadership gift from one of the Academy’s well-known trustees and the student’s father, for whom he was named, Armando Simosa P’08.

When asked how it felt to see the complex named after his son, Simosa stated that he feels very proud and that it was as if his son had asked him to fix the facilities. “Honestly, he said something about it to me one time and when the opportunity arose, I remembered that and raised my hand,” said Simosa. “Fitness was one of the most important interests of my son, Armando. He always went to train in Cheshire Academy’s facilities, as he also did in our house in Venezuela.”

“The leadership gift from Mr. Simosa is an amazing testament to his generosity and desire to make Cheshire Academy an even better place,” said Director of Development and Alumni Relations Barb Davis P’17 P’18 P’20. “The entire Cheshire Academy community is very grateful and extremely appreciative.”

THE IDEA

The idea to renovate the previous fitness area was first mentioned by another Trustee, Mike Mauro P’11. After looking at the space and speaking with Head of School John D. Nozell, Mauro noted, “We really wanted to create a space for all students whether they were an athlete or just a student looking to exercise.” Mauro went on to recommend that the new Fitness Center, a space which previously was a locker room and storage, be combined into a more open room with glass on all sides to emphasize that it was a welcoming place for all of the Cheshire Academy community. What was once the main exercise area for the entire school, would now be a Strength and Conditioning Center for varsity athletes who need more advanced equipment for training purposes as well as direction from coaches and athletic trainers.

Having a dedicated fitness space for all students, and even the Cheshire Academy community as a whole, is something that’s been long overdue. The previous fitness facilities were original to the time that the building was built in the sixties, as was much of the equipment. Creating two dedicated spaces for specific students and athletes is also part of a larger strategy to set the Academy apart from its competition.

ELINA HOIVALA ’16

DANIELLE PUTNAM ’16 AND ELINA HOIVALA ’16

A WELCOMING SPACE

The new Simosa Fitness Center offers community members on campus the ability to exercise and work out in a dedicated and spacious area made up of two individual rooms with top-of-the-line equipment. The first room, a multi-purpose space for classes such as yoga, fits 20 students comfortably. The space includes a cork floor, physioballs for core exercises, mats to stretch, and a wall mount with three TRX suspension trainers. The other part of the Fitness Center, dedicated to strength training equipment, includes more than 10 Cybex machines, ranging from treadmills and arch trainers to a rower and virtual-reality spin bikes. Many of the machines also include televisions with cable. In addition, a trainer, rebounder, punching bag, and bench press are combined to make one motion cage. The Center was designed with large energy efficient windows as well as LED lighting.

“The purpose of the new Fitness Center is to offer a dedicated and safe space for students that allows for multiple levels of physical activity,” said Head Athletic Trainer & Science Teacher Jennifer Tirillo. “Not every student exercises or works out the same way and this space offers that versatility.”

COMPETITIVE EDGE

FOUR CUSTOM POWER RACKS

Just down the hall, the newly renovated Simosa Strength & Conditioning Center is a place for the Academy’s varsity student-athletes to work specifically with their supervising coaches and the athletic training staff. Teams will now be able to use the space during their seasons, as well as off-seasons, to train together without worrying about alienating or intimidating other students who want to exercise.

“The ability to give our varsity athletes a dedicated space sets us apart from other boarding schools,” said Associate Head of School for Community Life and Athletics as well as Head Varsity Football Coach David Dykeman. “These students can now train in a way that’s going to allow them to achieve the next level in their athletic careers.”

Four custom power racks from Legend Fitness allow a number of groups to work simultaneously in the room, while a turf-covered area gives athletes room to warm-up, stretch, and conduct drills. The racks include a variety of free weights meant for specific exercises, such as bench presses, squats, shoulder presses, and even pull-ups. Two barbell free weight sets are also available for athletes as well as adjustable utility benches. The turf area is ideal for replicating drills and stretching that normally would take place outside on Simosa Field, especially convenient when there’s bad weather or multiple teams that need the surface. Finally, additional agility equipment has been added, such as various plyometric boxes for jumping, conditioning ropes, and weighed core balls.

START OF SCHOOL

With the new school year in full swing, the new Armando Simosa ’08 Athletics Performance Complex is a hub of activity. From varsity athletes to the casual walker, the new facilities now have something to offer all students, faculty, and staff at Cheshire Academy. Armando concluded by saying, “Cheshire Academy has done a great job developing the minds of students through academics. Now I hope we can improve their health in a positive way too.”