Students use the SAW for the first time

For the first time, students had the opportunity to use the newly renovated and expanded Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center on Aug. 9, 2022.

While contractors are still putting finishing touches on the building, students were welcomed into the facility as they start preparing for their upcoming athletic seasons.

“This whole area is brand new, more open and spacious,” said sophomore Shawn Laikupu, an engineering major from Las Vegas.

Cornell’s first block classes don’t start until Aug. 29, but many student-athletes, like these football players, move in weeks early for practices. Laikupu and senior Thomas Horne are excited about all the space that allows them to be together as a team.

“I think the weight room is great,” said Horne, an exercise science major from Las Vegas. “Before we’d have to split up into groups and everyone couldn’t be in there at once. I think nearly every team could get all in there at once and get the work they need in as a team.”

The building, now known as the SAW, has been under construction since the spring of 2021. The project includes a new wellness and fitness center with updated cardio equipment, a new athletic training room for sports medicine, an expanded lobby with gathering spaces, new locker room facilities, and much more. 

Interim Athletic Director and Head Volleyball Coach Jeff Meeker felt an overwhelming sense of emotion when he watched students inside for the first time. He says the amazing people here at Cornell deserve to train and compete in the new spaces. He’s thrilled about the areas for fitness and dance classes, the cardio space with a view, and the central location for the coaches’ offices (something they’ve never had before).

“This building creates a sense of pride and will create even more school spirit and excitement on campus,” Meeker said. “It also gives all of our students and staff fitness and wellness spaces and programming that we haven’t had in the past, providing so many physical and mental health benefits.”

The Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center will become a vital hub of campus life whether students pursue Division III athletics or not. It will also support Cornell’s work to recruit new students, enhance athletic programs, and secure competitive events.

“I think back over my 20 years at Cornell and remember the August practices without air conditioning, having to manually pull out and push in our old wooden bleachers, and having locker rooms that we weren’t proud to show recruits. To see this project come together really makes me so excited for the future of Cornell athletics. A special thank you goes out to our donors whose gift, no matter big or small, is transformative for our entire college and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity.” 

Jean Russell ’65, Scott Ririe ’79 and his wife Shelley, and Richard Small ’50 and his wife, honorary alumna Norma Thomas Small, provided initial leadership gifts to kickstart the Athletic and Wellness Facilities Project, and dozens of others followed to support the construction of the SAW. 

In addition to this project, the Greater > Than Campaign has made many campus projects possible. That includes a new science building, a new grass soccer competition field, the restoration of McLennan College Hall, and the renovation of Van Metre Field at Ash Park.