Small Sport Center
The Small Sport Center, the competition venue for Cornell's volleyball, basketball, wrestling, tennis and track & field programs, is undergoing a $19 million expansion and renovation scheduled to be completed in Fall 2022.
Jean Russell '65, Scott Ririe '79 and his wife Shelley, and Richard Small '50 and his wife, honorary alumna Norma Thomas Small, have provided initial leadership gifts to kickstart this Athletic and Wellness Facilities Project. As of March of 2021, donors have contributed more than $15 million, and the college is continuing its fundraising efforts for the remaining amount.
The Small Sport Center is named after the Small family, following their investment in the earlier 1986 addition which included the six-lane indoor track, four courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball, and practice space for other activities. receive another 21,689-square-foot addition.
"We are grateful to Jean, to Scott and Shelley, and to Richard and Norma for their deep commitment to Cornell College and their transformative gifts," said President Jonathan Brand. "This project allows us to once again show the world that Cornell College is going places. These gifts not only provide the opportunity to expand our athletics programming but provide a much-needed space for the entire Cornell community to come together in one location to participate in health and wellness activities."
The project will include:
- A new wellness and fitness center with updated cardio and weight equipment (This replaces the current Thomas Commons facility.)
- New locker room facilities for all student-athletes, visiting teams, and the Cornell community
- An expanded lobby with gathering spaces for students and visitors
- New centralized office spaces and a conference room for coaches, staff, and administration
- A group exercise room for workout classes and training
- A new classroom for block courses, team meetings, and social functions
- A 20-yard multi-purpose turf area for movement-based exercises
When completed, the renewed Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center (with a new nickname of the SAW) will become a vital hub of campus life. It will also support Cornell's work to recruit new students, enhance athletic programs, and secure competitive events.
"It will be an amazing addition to campus," Russell said. "I can't wait to see the new and renovated building filled with students in just a year and a half. This building will become a gathering place for current and future students as the college continues to grow."
Locker rooms are redesigned and expanded, with the additions of a flex locker room to be used in its entirety or partitioned, and a visiting team-community locker room