Weber State University athletics is in the planning stages of a new athletic academic center. The center would be on the east side of the tennis courts on WSU’s Ogden campus.
“We are in the pre-stages of that plan,” said WSU Athletic Director Jerry Bovee. “There is an annex there where three of our coaches currently have their offices. We would raze that building and construct a residential-style building.”
An academic resource area is currently available to student athletes in Stewart Stadium, which includes a computer lab and study hall. These will be moved to the new center, and coaches with offices in the old annex will move to Stewart Stadium.
“Right now, the students have a makeshift center on the second floor of Stewart Stadium,” said Andrea Lauritzen, WSU athletic academic coordinator. “Sometimes, we have kids everywhere. There just isn’t enough room.”
In addition to a study hall and computer lab, the athletic academic center will house the offices of athletic tutors and athletic academic advisers, consolidating all academic resources available to student athletes under one roof.
“The academic area is going to be great,” Lauritzen said. “We will have a computer lab that has walls. We will have four or five small study and tutor rooms. Students can go in, and it can be quiet, and there won’t be distractions. There will also be a little social area, and the advisers’ offices will be there. There will also be a quiet area downstairs. It will just be more space.”
Students currently in the program foresee the center as a good asset for future students.
“That is something that will help quite a bit in the future,” said WSU senior and basketball player James Hajek.
Since being hired in 2004, Lauritzen has seen drastic progress in terms of facilities available for athletes at WSU. The new academic center is a project she has wanted to see happen for ages.
“This has been my dream,” she said. “I have been working on getting an academic center for these kids since I have been here. It will make things easier. I am thrilled about this. It will be great for the students.”
