canisiushigh.org
35
C r u s ade r Ath l e t i c s
hile the new weight room and fitness
center initiated by Bob Ryan ’82 and other
alumni offers benefits for the entire student
body at Canisius, its impact on athletics is
obviously significant as well.
As a college preparatory school in the Jesuit tradition,
excellence in athletics has always complemented the
academic rigor and inherent spirituality at Canisius. Now,
the new fitness center takes it to the next level,
enabling strength training, fitness and wellness programs
that mirror what athletes will encounter in college.
“What the more progressive high schools
throughout the country have done is to copy
what college athletic programs do in terms of
strength training, conditioning and fitness,”
explains JimMauro, athletic director.
“The new
center provides a key part of what we have
been building toward at Canisius, a college
mind-set for training during the season and
off-season so that Crusader athletes are always
prepared to compete with the best.”
Located across from the pool, the fitness center is now four
times the size of the previous weight room and houses
double the amount of equipment, including the latest
technology such as:
Lifting platforms with
full-cages
Glute and hamstring
machines
Cable machines
Ground base jammer
Leg press machine
Plyometric boxes
Ellipticals
Stationary bikes
Treadmills
Weight benches
Free weights
Coaching and training
for mind and body
With the new center complete, a Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Morgan Collins, joined the
athletic department staff and began working with coaches to
develop training programs specific to the various sports. Sam
Belsito, chairman of the physical education department and
varsity soccer coach at Canisius, notes how this enhances the
approach to training and preparation for every sport.
“Due to the size of the space and the amount
of equipment, players are able to do many
different types of sport-specific training
exercises beyond traditional cardio work and
weight lifting,”
Mr. Belsito says.
“With the
fitness center right here at school, athletes are
excited to train during the season and they
can keep training to stay in shape for the
next season.”
Equally important, the new center is helping student
athletes andnon-athletes todevelopamind-set forhealthand
wellness. Coaches and trainers educate on the importance
of proper rest, nutrition and good lifestyle habits to go along
with physical training.
“The fitness center is another tool to help
students make better decisions about their
health and well-being,”
concludes Mr. Mauro.
“It is proven that people who embrace a fitness
programwill generallymake better decisions
in many other areas of their lives.”
]
New fitness center pumps up
athletics program
