Mount Weight Room Upgraded and Relocated

Kevin Kozic, Athletic Director at Mount Saint Mary Academy, has announced that students will now enjoy a larger newly-renovated weight room as a space of challenge, motivation, and team building in the Mother Mary Patrick Gymnasium. The facilities were moved from the main Mount Building to the Gym this summer.

The project arose after Mr. Kozic and Julia Pierce, Enrollment Management Director, began receiving questions about a weight room during admissions events and the parents of current athletes.

“I brought the idea to Denise Materia (former Athletic Director and Assistant Directress) and to an administration meeting. We realized that the location of the weight room needed to be more centralized on campus and that the athletes needed more space for strength and conditioning.”

Mr. Kozic said the new weight room features all of the original hydraulic, state-of-the-art machines which feature buttons to increase and decrease weight. Checked annually, these machines include chest press, two leg machines, back row, fly machines, and more. New free weights have been added. The facility also features windows, new ceiling tiles, bright lighting, and mirrors. The puzzle-like flooring is easy to clean and maintain.

Security measures include a camera system and card reader for student and faculty/staff access. In the future, art students may design motivational and colorful murals on the weight room walls for their classmates.

“Our parents and athletes are very excited about this new space and all of the possibilities to challenge and strengthen their daughters’ wellness and conditioning needs,” said Mr. Kozic. “They have everything they need for a full-body workout in a larger, inspiring new space.”

While the new weight room is currently only available to student-athletes from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, there will soon be an open lift session almost every day after school from 2:30 to 3:30 pm for all students.

Mary Housel, Athletic Trainer, who is certified in strength and conditioning, will also help students focus on injury prevention.

Ms. Housel said, “Strength training in preseason, during the season, and in the offseason is so important not only for improving performance but also for injury prevention. Our student athletes will learn proper lifting techniques, how strength training is different in each part of the year based on the season, as well as the needs based on the position played during in-season sport.”

“We encourage all of our teams to utilize the weight room to help these athletes play their best, decrease the chance of injury, and learn how to take care of their bodies before, during, and after each season of play,” she concluded.

“The ultimate goal behind the relocation and reconstruction of the weight room is to keep our athletics resources and programming centralized in one location,” added Mr. Kozic. “We are excited about the opportunity to provide our athletes and students with a larger, more accessible space that encourages them to utilize the equipment and make strength and conditioning a more consistent part of their routines. Integrating weight training into our athletic programs will help our student-athletes build strength, reduce the risk of injury, provide another avenue for exercise, and promote their overall health and well-being.”