News Summary
Vanguard University has officially opened the Freed Center for Leadership and Service, a $42 million facility enhancing its athletic and kinesiology programs. Featuring a gym, modern classrooms, and a sports medicine clinic, the center aims to support the university’s growth and modernization efforts. Named after the Freed family, whose historic donation funded the project, the center will cater to the university’s athletic teams and kinesiology students, providing upgraded facilities and new opportunities for excellence in both academics and athletics.
Costa Mesa, California – Vanguard University celebrated the grand opening of its new Freed Center for Leadership and Service on October 4, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing campus development. The facility, which represents a $42 million investment, is the second phase of an extensive overhaul aimed at modernizing the university’s infrastructure and enhancing student services.
The opening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting event, commemorating a new era for Vanguard’s athletic and kinesiology programs. The building is named in honor of the Freed family, who contributed a historic $10 million donation in 2022, the largest gift in the university’s history.
The new Freed Center includes a gymnasium capable of seating 1,910 individuals, venue for Vanguard’s athletic teams who have been without a dedicated facility for two years due to construction delays. In addition to the gym, the center features classrooms and state-of-the-art lab spaces dedicated to the kinesiology program, which has become one of the university’s most popular majors, currently housing approximately 220 students and experiencing a consistent 10% growth in enrollment per year for the past decade.
Director of Athletics Jeff Bussell expressed that the previous gym, known as The Pit, had served the university for 80 years and was in dire need of modernization. The Freed Center addresses this need with a suite of upgraded facilities, including a 2,300-square-foot weight room, complete with the latest equipment that replaces aging accommodation from UC Irvine.
On the first floor, the Freed Center also hosts a sports medicine clinic. This facility is staffed by five full-time trainers and includes treatment tables and whirlpools, providing essential support for athlete recovery and health.
The upper floors are designed for the kinesiology department, housing performance and motion analysis labs that significantly enrich the academic experience. In recognition of its ambitions, the kinesiology program recently received a $500,000 grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation, designated for advanced equipment to facilitate physiological testing.
Furthermore, the lobby of the Freed Center honors Russ Davis, Vanguard’s long-serving women’s basketball coach, who has dedicated nearly 30 years to the program. The new athletic hub has already hosted several women’s volleyball matches, with wider usage expected as the university transitions to compete in the NCAA Division II and join the Pacific West Conference starting this year, ahead of full membership in 2025-26.
Alongside the Freed Center, Vanguard University is advancing plans outlined in its 30-year master plan approved in 2019, which includes additional structures such as a library and learning resource center, STEM facilities, new residence halls, and expanded parking options. These enhancements align with the institution’s long-term vision to provide a comprehensive environment for its students and athletes alike.
Vanguard University continues to bolster its athletic offerings, which include various sports such as baseball, basketball, cross-country, soccer, and track and field. The addition of the Freed Center is expected to create more opportunities for competitive growth, particularly as the institution embraces its new status within NCAA Division II.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard Dedicates Freed Center
- Google Search: Vanguard University
- Orange County Register: Vanguard University Turns 100
- Wikipedia: NCAA Division II
- Jimmie Pride: Men’s Volleyball Team vs Vanguard University
- Google Scholar: Vanguard University
- Franchise Wire: Family Legacy Drives Vanguard Key Clubs Franchise
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vanguard University
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
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