News Summary
Vanguard University in Costa Mesa has unveiled the Freed Center for Leadership and Service, a state-of-the-art gym facility reflecting a $41.5 million investment. Inaugurated on October 4, the center features a large gymnasium for up to 1,910 spectators, housing the kinesiology program, and includes advanced training facilities for student-athletes. This facility is pivotal as the university transitions to NCAA Division II and focuses on expanding its athletic and academic programs, having raised significant funds for its completion.
Costa Mesa, California – Vanguard University has officially launched the Freed Center for Leadership and Service, a new gym facility that marks a significant milestone in the institution’s campus development efforts. The center was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on October 4 and represents a $41.5 million investment in the future of the university.
The building is named after the Freed family, who made history with a generous $10 million gift to the university in 2022, marking the largest single donation in Vanguard’s 104-year history. Additional fundraising efforts raised $16 million towards the construction and development of the Freed Center.
Spanning three stories and covering 61,000 square feet, the Freed Center includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium capable of seating up to 1,910 spectators. This facility was especially anticipated by Vanguard’s athletic teams, which had to go without a dedicated home for two years due to the construction process. The opening of the Freed Center coincides with the university’s recent transition to NCAA Division II, as it embarks on competition in the Pacific West (PacWest) Conference.
Beyond its athletic capabilities, the Freed Center enhances the academic offerings of Vanguard by housing the kinesiology program—one of the university’s fastest-growing majors. The program has seen a consistent annual enrollment growth of 10% over the past decade, currently engaging around 220 undergraduate students. The upper floors of the Freed Center will include classrooms and lab spaces dedicated to kinesiology, indicative of Vanguard’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities in this field.
The Freed Center also features a fully equipped weight room spanning 2,300 square feet, designed to enhance the training and recovery of student-athletes. The facility includes a sports medicine clinic on the first floor, staffed by five full-time trainers, and is equipped with treatment tables and hot and cold whirlpools, catering to athlete recovery needs.
Further supporting the kinesiology department, the program received a $500,000 grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation to procure advanced equipment for physiological testing. Plans for the kinesiology program may include the introduction of a graduate and adult education program in the near future.
The center is also notable for the naming of its lobby after Russ Davis, the veteran women’s basketball coach at Vanguard, who is approaching his 30th year at the helm. Davis is recognized as a Hall of Fame coach, boasting an impressive 35 NAIA National Championship wins, the highest record for any active coach.
The establishment of the Freed Center is part of a broader 30-year master plan for Vanguard University, aimed at campus expansion. This plan includes future additions such as a library and learning resource center, a STEM building, as well as enhanced parking facilities.
Vanguard University, located in Costa Mesa, currently serves approximately 2,200 students and boasts over 35,000 alumni. The opening of the Freed Center not only signifies an important step in enhancing the university’s athletic and academic programs but also underscores its commitment to providing quality facilities for current and future generations of students.
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