“It’s been an exciting fall... A hectic fall,” recalls Aquinas College Athletic Director, Terry Bocian. With the College’s addition of the Sturrus Sport & Fitness Center at the forefront of the athletic department's itinerary, many of the sports teams at AQ were required to make serious adjustments. The staff, with new office space and a complex schedule of off-campus events, also experienced a short period of upheaval. However, despite the confusion and necessary changes, the AQ teams soldiered through the fall season and earned notable distinctions across the board. In the coming seasons, Bocian looks forward to the successful adaptation to the remodeled sports center as well as the continued remarkable performances of the Aquinas student athletes.

“It’s been an unusual start of the season,” notes Bocian, as he describes a few of the challenging transitions experienced during the fall. The sports center, which instantly provided a large basketball court and weightlifting facilities, remained unavailable to many of the teams after its first phase of construction. In order to maintain the game and practice schedule of the soft ball and baseball teams after the discontinuation of the adjacent field, Aquinas was required to off-campus facilities such as the Catholic Central Cougar Athletic Trails (CAT), fields at East Grand Rapids High School, and private facilities from MVP sports. In addition, the volleyball team played its entire first half of the season on the road. “We’ve had people driving all over,” reflects Bocian, yet he reflects that this has not disabled the student athletes. He considers the success of the teams, such as the volleyball’s impressive standing as second in the league at the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), a direct credit to the dedication of the coaches and students.

The men’s soccer team also demonstrated its tenacity despite the transition. With Jeovani Pantoja, senior and three-time All American leading the pack, the team won its third consecutive regular season at WHAC. Women’s cross country earned a trip to the national competition after winning WHAC and placing 13th in the nation, the highest honor ever earned for the AQ sport. Freshman Rachael Steil, in addition, placed 6th individually in the competition. “We’ve done very well with very little,” noted women’s cross country Coach Mike Wojciakowski, as he reflects that before and during the facility change, the athletics department consistently turned limited resources into successful seasons. As the teams and coaches begin to settle into the sports center, he continues, the student athletes are expected to work harder and perform better with the newly remodeled facility.

As the Sturrus Sport & Fitness Center will provide the equipment and facilities necessary for increased morale, the renovated center will also aid in recruitment of future students and athletes. Coach Wojciakowski notes that the “perfect mix” of academics, athletic programs, scholarships, and location of Aquinas create a positive atmosphere for prospective students. Instead of selling the program, students become excited about the myriad of possibilities available and have “passion to be Aquinas students.” These excited and hard-working students noted by Wojciakowski and the dedicated staff headed by Bocian make up the distinct Aquinas athletics experience. "The strength of our program has always been our people," states Bocian, as he reflects that now they simply have impressive facilities to match the already successful programs on campus.

As Coaches Bocian and Wojciakowski look forward after a challenging but successful fall season, they reflect that things can only get better from here. The staff members, as they settle into new offices and utilize the new facilities and equipment, are excited for the following seasons.

"[The] fitness center has been very well received," notes Bocian, recalling the positive perception of increased productivity by the staff, student athletes, and surrounding community.

Though some teams are still awaiting the indoor track, practice areas for baseball and softball, and the intramural courts that will be added in the second phase of the Sturrus Sport & Fitness Center, the new facilities have provided the flexibility, hosting capabilities, and extra space which were much appreciated by AQ athletics. With the first phase in place, student athletes are patiently awaiting the resources needed for the next step, are in awe of the new facilities, and will continue to strive for their best.

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