Working Out in College

When I was choosing a college, one thing I didn’t think I’d care much about was gym access. But let me tell you, once the stress of classes hits, having solid gym facilities makes a huge difference, whether you’re an athlete or just trying to stay sane with a good workout. At Carleton, we’re lucky to have not just one, but four different athletic facilities that students can use. Each one has a distinct vibe, and together they cover just about every fitness or recreation need you could imagine.

1. The Rec Center (a.k.a. the main gym)

This is the heart of student fitness on campus. I go here most often, whether it’s to get some runs in on the indoor track, lift weights in the Fitness Center, or try not to embarrass myself on the rock wall (which, by the way, is modeled after Minnehaha Falls and looks amazing). The Rec Center has pretty much everything, cardio machines, weight machines, racquetball and squash courts, and even an aerobics studio that hosts classes like yoga, martial arts, and Zumba. The big fieldhouse inside has space for basketball, tennis, soccer, and even indoor track meets.

You’ll see everyone here, varsity athletes doing conditioning, friend groups playing pick-up volleyball, or people like me just trying to keep up with their fitness goals between problem sets.

2. Cowling Gym

Cowling is a little quieter and more tucked away, which I like when I want a less crowded workout or to swim laps in the 25-yard pool. It’s also home to a dance studio and some varsity practice spaces. I sometimes use it when I want to switch up my routine or just get in some solo time in a more laid-back setting. Pro tip: the vibes in Cowling during a late-night swim is super peaceful.

3. West Gym

This place is iconic. It has this super unique “three-dome” architecture, and it’s where our basketball and volleyball teams compete. The gym floor here is polished and bright, and the energy during games is unmatched. West Gym also has Thorpe Pool, where swim meets happen, and where students can do lap swims or try out club water polo. It’s not my go-to daily workout spot, but whenever I’m in there for a swim or cheering on friends during a meet, it feels like a big part of the Carleton experience.

4. Laird Stadium

Laird is a classic. It’s our outdoor stadium with a full 400-meter track (great for jogs when the weather’s nice) and a massive seating area. I’ve gone to football games here, but it’s also open for casual use when there aren’t meets or games. Plus, it has indoor training areas and a weight room, so athletes (and non-athletes taking a weightlifting P.E class) can get a solid lift in. I always feel a bit more motivated to push myself when I’m working out in a space that’s hosted national track meets.

Workout Culture at Carleton

What I love most is that Carleton’s gym culture is super low-pressure. Whether you’re a varsity athlete or someone just trying to de-stress with a short jog on the treadmill or a chill yoga session, there’s space for you. The variety of facilities means you can find your own rhythm, whether that’s scaling the rock wall on a Sunday morning, joining a club soccer game in the fieldhouse, or taking a quiet swim after a long day of class.

In the end, I didn’t pick Carleton because of the gyms. But now that I’m here? I’m really glad they’re part of my day-to-day.

Abrar (he/him) is a junior Economics and Computer Science double major from Dhaka, Bangladesh. He loves Carleton’s intercultural energy. He’s especially drawn to spaces where students from all backgrounds come together. Outside of class, he’s involved in Club Rugby, FC, research, and campus admissions. His favorite places on campus are Sayles (for the energy) and the Lower Arb (for the peace). He’s a big fan of cold weather, long walks, and deep conversations about life, faith, or which country has the best mangoes. When not in class, you can usually find him designing something, planning a trip, or pretending not to be stressed about the future.

Texas Tech billionaire booster Cody Campbell announced the formation of a new non-profit dedicated to college sports on Tuesday night. Dubbed “Saving College Sports,” the non-profit organization aims to create a “path to a sustainable future.”

Campbell, who is the co-founder of Texas Tech’s NIL collective, The Matador Club, is also the chairman of the Texas Tech Board of Regents. Campbell sold his oil and natural gas company, Double Eagle, to Diamondback Energy in February for approximately $4.08 billion in cash and stock. He was the main financial source for the Red Raiders’ top-ranked transfer portal class this winter.

The billionaire was also set to co-chair President Donald Trump’s college sports commission with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Put on pause for the time being, the commission was expected to tackle topics centered around the transfer portal, the state of the college sports landscape, NIL collectives and revenue sharing, among others.

“College sports are in trouble,” Cody Campbell wrote on X about his new organization. “We need to save all of them — from big schools to small schools and from big money sports like football and basketball to non-revenue Olympic sports like wrestling, swimming, track, tennis, golf, and volleyball. I’m on a mission to make sure that all 500,000 student-athletes in this country continue to have the opportunity for education and character development.”

Campbell has supported Congress giving the NCAA an antitrust exemption. He’s also penned multiple columns for The Federalist, recently stating that, “college athletics will disappear for the majority of the Americans who have enjoyed and benefited from it for generations.” His nonprofit has already started lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill.

The Saving College Sports organization has a three-prong approach, according to its website. That includes committing to legal and regulatory certainty and consistency, comprehensive governance reform and college sports maximizing their economic pie.

Campbell’s Matador Club has been at the forefront of NIL since it was launched in February 2022. In July 2022, the NIL collective announced it had signed 100 Red Raider football players to a one-year $25,000 NIL contract. Texas Tech spent over $10 million in the transfer portal this offseason, too.

“We have maximized the resources that are available to him financially to compete in this new revenue world. I think we’re in a great spot to have a good class this year and years to come,” Cody Campbell told Red Raider Sports this week. I’m excited about what the future is going to bring with respect to recruiting.”

Twenty-five Pine Bush High School graduates will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level next school year, a milestone celebrated by the district at its annual college signing ceremony.

Held by the athletic department each spring, the event brought together student-athletes, their families, coaches and school officials to honor those who have committed to play sports across NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as junior colleges. Athletic Director Jen Evans introduced each athlete, announcing their sport, chosen college or university, division, and intended major.

“This is always one of the most special days of the year,” Evans said. “It’s a celebration of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication—not just from the athletes, but from their families and coaches as well.”

Athletes from a wide range of sports were represented, including baseball, basketball, diving, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, and track and field. Among the signees was Kennedy Fisher, who will compete as a Division I gymnast at Southeast Missouri State University, and Paige Gandolfini, who will dive at Division I St. Bonaventure University.

Here is the full list of student-athletes, along with their sport, college commitment, division and intended major:

• Ollie Auryensen, Baseball – Eastern Connecticut State (DIII), Physical Education

• Kaeden Fisher, Baseball – Vermont State–Castleton (DIII), Physical Education

• Brian Murtagh, Baseball – SUNY Ulster (Junior College), Finance

• Michael Esposito, Baseball – Lasell University (DIII), Finance

• Brady Fandl, Baseball – Fairleigh Dickinson University (DI), Business

• Triston Santos, Baseball – Hudson Valley Community College (Junior College), Cybersecurity

• Paige Gandolfini, Diving – St. Bonaventure University (DI), Psychology

• Grace Grant, Field Hockey – SUNY New Paltz (DIII), Physics and Astronomy

• Jake Schorling, Football/Track & Field – Hudson Valley Community College (Junior College), Business and Computers

• Jaiden Sposito, Football – William (DIII), Business

• Jamil Sneed, Football – SUNY Morrisville (DIII), Engineering

• Plexico Brooks, Football – Tennessee State (DI), Accounting

• Ryan Wittenberg, Golf – Marywood University (DIII), Professional Pilot

• Kennedy Fisher, Gymnastics – Southeast Missouri State (DI), Elementary Education

• Chris Sgourdas, Lacrosse – Marywood University (DIII), Professional Pilot

• Miles Joray, Lacrosse – SUNY Morrisville (DIII), Exercise Science

• Dominick Ciarelli, Lacrosse – Lasell University (DIII), Biochemistry/Pre-Med

• Mackenzie Brown, Lacrosse – University of Mount Union (DIII), Secondary Education

• Gianna Conklin, Soccer – St. John Fisher University (DIII), Athletic Performance/Pre-Chiropractic

• Molly Dowson, Softball – SUNY Canton (DIII), Sports Management

• Averie Klein, Track & Field – Binghamton University (DI), Pre-Health/PA

• Andres Martinez, Track & Field – SUNY Cortland (DIII), Exercise Science

• Ketura Rutty, Basketball – Dominican University (DII), Nursing

• Leticia Watson, Basketball – Dominican University (DII), Psychology

• Maya Oakes, Swimming – Mount Holyoke College (DIII), Environmental Studies

When Michigan State hockey players served as extras for the movie “Fleury” earlier this offseason, maybe it was a little prophetic that Isaac Howard played Mark Messier. Because after the NHL offseason chips have settled, Howard will wear that Edmonton jersey next season.

MGYM7/9/2025 11:03 AM | By: Cal Athletics

Senior Earns Second Straight Honor

Recent California men’s gymnastics graduate Tyler Shimizu was named a member of the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America At-Large Team for the second straight year, the organization announced Wednesday.
 
After being named a Second Team Academic All-American last season, Shimizu wrapped up his Golden Bear career with third team honors as a senior.
 
In addition to stellar work in the classroom, Shimizu excelled on the mats this year qualifying for the NCAA Championship Finals as an all-arounder for the third straight season. He posted an all-around score of 78.199 at the NCAA Championships Qualifier before closing out his collegiate career with a 78.198 in the final.
 
To be eligible for CSC academic recognition for men’s gymnastics, which falls in the at-large division, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically with at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA and be ranked in the top 75 in an event within his division according to Road to Nationals rankings.