Download the fall 2010 issue of the Marian University Magazine.

Athletics
Raising Expectations
by Ashley Petry
hen Jessica Slayton
started her freshman year at
Marian University, the softball
team played on an isolated fi eld
in the wetlands—a diffi cult trek
for her elderly grandfather, who
she says is her number-one fan.
Now a senior, Slayton and her
teammates are playing on a
brand new fi eld, complete with
enclosed dugouts, a press box,
a full-size batting cage, and
better facilities for spectators
like Slayton’s grandfather. The
team is just one of many at
Marian University to benefi t
Jessica Slayton
from a recent multi-million
dollar investment in athletic facilities, a project that has also increased
campus vibrancy, boosted alumni support, and improved overall
performance in the classroom.
“It’s a whole lot better,” said Slayton, who plays second base and is
majoring in elementary education. “We’re where everybody can see us,
and a lot of people come to our games. It’s nice knowing that your school
is there to support you.”
In addition to the softball fi eld ( 6 ), other new and improved athletic
facilities include:
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St.Vincent Health Field at Marian University, a 3,000-seat multipurpose
stadium with eight-lane latex track; home to football, men’s
and women’s soccer, and track and fi eld.
Paul J. Norman Cycling Center, home to the 13-time national champion
cycling program
Eight outdoor tennis courts
The John and Mary Beth Adams Fitness Center, a workout facility in
the Physical Education Center for student-athletes and the entire
Marian University community. It offers weight-training facilities and
cardiovascular equipment, such as treadmills, step machines, and
stationary bicycles.
An improved baseball fi eld with press box, two-tier entertainment suite,
full locker rooms, and state-of-the-art scoreboard
As part of the expansion, Marian University also has developed new
athletic teams, including the football team and, new this fall, both men’s
and women’s bowling teams. With those additions, the university now
offers 20 varsity sports, 10 for men and 10 for women, and two co-ed
programs, the cheerleading and dance teams. In the past fi ve years, the
number of student-athletes at Marian University has jumped from 220 to
more than 400, amounting to about a third of the total student population.
Another important addition is the marching band, which now includes
about 80 student musicians and plans to expand to between 120 and
150 students in the next few years.
The new facilities are an important step toward fulfi lling Marian
University’s commitment to educating the whole person; body, mind,
spirit. Few of the university’s athletes go on to play professional sports,
but the student-athlete experience is an important laboratory for
character development.
“I think people now realize that we’re really pushing the body, mind,
spirit tradition,” said Geoffre Sherman, assistant director of athletics.
“It’s intuitively obvious to the casual observer, and I think it’s brought
together the campus community.”
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