[Multimedia note: For more about the new surface in Uni Gym and why it was needed, listen to the comments of subfreshman boys basketball coach Rick Murphy at right.]

IN MID-NOVEMBER, at the fall sports awards ceremony, Athletic Director Sally Walker announced that Uni Gym would be receiving a new floor, thanks to the generosity of a then-unnamed Uni family.

On Dec. 12, during a dedication ceremony before the subfreshman boys basketball game against Ludlow, the donors responsible for the $17,000 gift were thanked publicly: Mike and Pat Fernandez, the parents of freshman Will Fernandez.

The previous floor was very hard, slick, and uneven and therefore not safe for athletic purposes.

“The current floor will offer some cushion, is nice for joints and will not be slick,” said Walker. “This will allow athletes to actually stop when they want without fear of sliding.”

Pat Fernandez, who played an instrumental role in the donation, agreed with Walker.

“Our son, Will, played on last year's subfreshman basketball team,” said Fernandez. “We loved watching him and his friends play, but we were also a bit concerned at times about possible ankle injuries given the floor's condition.”

The new surface is a synthetic floor made by the company Sport Court. The royal blue and maple floor was retrofitted over the existing floor tiles. It was easy to install and has low maintenance costs. It is also environmentally friendly and has no toxic chemicals before or after installation.

“We will be able to use it for backup space for volleyball and [JV/varsity] basketball, and that was not possible before," Walker said. "Soccer players will also appreciate the comfort of the new floor and wall padding.”

At the dedication ceremony for Uni Gym's new floor (from left): Rick Murphy, Mike Fernandez, Pat Fernandez, Steve Epperson, Karen Cooley, and Sally Walker.
Uni Web site photo (click to enlarge)

However, a new floor wasn't the only thing that Uni Gym received.

New wall panels, backboards, a sound system, and projection screen were also added. This makes commentary possible during games and events, and also turns the gym into a more usable space for school events.

These other additions were facilitated by donations from 1942 Uni alum Al Hunter (who gave $10,000 to the school), Student Council, and the Uni High Athletic Booster Club.

The total cost of the renovations, including the gym floor, was $25,000.

The gifts from Hunter and the Fernandez family were obviously crucial in making the improvements possible. So what's the process by which the school works with potential donors?

There are various ways in which big donations are made to Uni, according to Karen Cooley, the school's director of advancement. Sometimes a donor comes to the school and offers money. If it’s for a specific cause or item, the school will check to determine if there is a need for it.

For example, if someone offered money to the school specifically to buy a small aquarium for the lounge, the school would try to negotiate with the donor to give the money to another cause, because, no matter how much students love fish, they aren’t a necessary addition.

When the cause is justified (such as a new floor for Uni Gym to make it safer), the school will go ahead and look into ways to satisfy the donor’s wishes.

When money is donated, but there is no set use for it, the school will consider what it can be used for, and use the donation accordingly. This is how Hunter made his donation.

Other times, Uni will ask for money for a cause, and hope that somebody will be willing to donate for it.

In the Fernandez’s case, they approached the school last year and offered to donate money specifically to be used for a safer playing surface for Uni Gym.

“I do not feel the renovations would have taken place without the help of the Fernandez family,” said Director/Principal Steve Epperson. “Not only the money they donated, but also the time they put in were instrumental into the renovation happening.”

Note to readers: Al Hunter, who generously donated $10,000 to benefit Uni and its students, passed away on Tuesday night. Our best wishes go to his family and friends in this time of loss.

UNI GYM BEFORE AND AFTER

Uni Gym before the changes. Uni Web site photo

Another shot from before. Uni Web site photo

After the changes. Uni Web site photo