GYMNASIUM > SPORTS BUILDING > WELLNESS CENTER
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 On-site Exhibit by Sister Martha Counihan, O.S.U.
 On-line adaptation by Susan Acampora
                                                                          

On April 24, 2008 The College of New Rochelle will dedicate its newest athletic facility, the Wellness Center. Like its predecessors, this will be a multi-purpose building. The Wellness Center is focused on the physical, spiritual, and mental well-being of CNR students and community.
From their inception in the 19th Century, American women’s colleges saw the inclusion of athletics as very important in forming a well-rounded individual. At the College of St. Angela, “The Gymnasium (1907) was the first sports facility for students and was simply called that until it was re-named Chidwick in 1937.		1907 “The Gymnasium”(now Chidwick) Gymnasium exterior click picture to enlarge
It was a state-of-the-art building incorporating a bead board golden oak-paneled gymnasium/auditorium, classrooms, laboratories, student lounge and administrative offices.  The Athletic Association had been founded in 1906. Read more about:  Athletics at the College of New Rochelle
1907 "The Gymnasium" interior In the 1970's this area was permanently closed because of fire risks click picture to enlarge		..      1913 Entire CNR Student Body in the Gymnasium  click picture to enlarge
1911 Basketball Players

1908 First Commencement click picture to enlarge

c1908  Archery practice on what is now Maura lawn click picture to enlarge

1950’s Archery; students wore regulation blue gym suits into the 1970’s click picture to enlarge

Softball 1917 click picture to enlarge

 

1928 Field Day on field presently over swimming pool area
click picture to enlarge

1932 Sports Building in Art Deco style	Twenty five years later, a growing student body and a more diverse curriculum necessitated a larger and more up-to-date gymnasium. Dedicated in 1932, the ultra-modern Art Deco Sports Building included a pool, gymnasium, social rooms, sports equipment, showers, dressing and exercise rooms.	1955 Entry to Sports Building facing Willow Drive click picture to enlarge
1963 Convocation in the Gymnasium click picture to enlarge	The Sports Building was the site of many social and academic events.
In 1944, an annual inter-class swimming and dancing contest began;	c1976 Annual interclass Swimphony/Landphony competition —water and land ballet click picture to enlarge
1932 Sports Building blue & white tiled pool click picture to enlarge	“Swimphony” continued to spark spirit and competition among SAS and SON students into the 1990’s.
Tennis 1905 click picture to enlarge Tennis Team 1930s click picture to enlarge Tennis Team 1990s click picture to enlarge
1990’s CNR Blue Angels basketball click picture to enlarge
Physical Education Faculty Kathleen LeVache, 1952-1998 Physical Education faculty click picture to enlarge Anne Morrissey, 1947-1974 Physical Education faculty click picture to enlarge   Edna Meyer Ostertag, 1923-1948 Physical Education faculty click picture to enlarge        In 1999, the deterioration of the Sports Building necessitated its razing. Physical Education classes were relocated, and sports teams found temporary space in various Westchester locales. Plans for a new Wellness Center took off with applications for grants and a campaign involving alumnae/ni, friends of CNR, and other constituencies.
Uniting body, mind, and spirit the Center’s technologically equipped classrooms, seminar and conference rooms, and Holistic Meditation room (and garden) also incorporates a gymnasium and “natorium” (swimming pool) into an integrated space for health, well-being, and learning.      Splashes, bounces, cheers, and laughter will be heard once again on the CNR campus. In the classrooms, discussion, silence and study will combine. Wisdom for life finds a new space. Martha Counihan, OSU Archivist