Lion’s Pride

LION’S PRIDE

“[The new floor] gives a professional feel to our gymnasium and lets our student-athletes know that we are committed to providing them with appropriate spaces to grow and develop their talents,” says John Strawson, Athletic Director.

The rubber floor was original to the 16,500 square-foot gymnasium, a former tennis facility from Texas that arrived at Forman in 1983. Rubber had been re-poured three times over the years to maintain the floor’s smooth surface. Scott McCarty ’76, P’02, P’05, Major Gifts Officer and former Athletic Director, says that while the rubber floor was easy to maintain, it was time for an upgrade.

“The rubber floor didn’t do anything for cosmetics in the gym,” McCarty says. “Certainly, walking in to see the gym now, there’s a presence.”

“We hope that playing on a wood surface, rather than a rubber-coated concrete surface, will be a safer, more enjoyable experience for our student-athletes,” Strawson says. “The new surface offers shock-absorbing qualities that will protect students’ joints and ligaments so that they may continue playing for years to come.”

The renovation, however, went beyond laying lumber and adding fresh paint to the walls. The new court features a thick green border along with two Forman School crests, and centered on the polished first-grade maple flooring is the Athletic Department’s new mascot, a roaring Lion.

“We have only used the Forman School crest up until this point. We want the new Forman Lion logo to be a recognizable symbol for our school and for our programs. It gives life to our school mascot,” says Strawson. “The Lion represents the courage that our students show on a daily basis when confronting challenges, the dignity and integrity we expect from our students, and the pride that

LION’S PRIDE

they have in our school and programs.”

The new gym floor and mascot are exciting additions to Forman’s spirited basketball and volleyball games, but Strawson says it’s up to the students to display their skills on the court. “I hope the students will embrace the new floor and our mascot. I hope it will recharge their school spirit and give them a sense of pride,” he says. “However, the performance of our teams will be most greatly impacted by their willingness to collaborate and work hard toward common goals.”

Strawson adds that Forman will continue to assess and update athletic facilities to “best meet the needs of our student-athletes.” More improvements have already followed the gymnasium renovation.

“Over the summer, we also replaced our tennis courts,” he says. “We are hoping to possibly install turf surfaces and update our weight room facility in the near future, as well.”