Facilities - Densch

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Wayne Densch Sports Center

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Opened in August 2003, the new Wayne Densch Sports Center serves as home to the UCF football program as well as houses the athletics department's main sports medecine facility and strength and conditioning centers. The overall 44,000 square-foot facility also includes the football team's 4,000 square-foot locker room, theatre-style meeting auditorium and coaches offices.

The sports medicine facility is equipped with the latest in aquatic technology, including a Swimex pool - which utilizes underwater resistance with currents up to 10.5 miles per hour, a chiller pool with a constant temperature of 50 degrees and a ground-heated massage pool with a temperature range maintained between 100-105 degrees.

Located in the center of the building is the 11,200 square-foot strength and conditioning center. It features top-of-the-line free weight and machine equipment, cardio and treadmills by Woodway and a mix room that allows for better distribution of Cytosport muscle milk nutritional supplements. In addition to the equipment, a new audio system was also installed.

Recently added behind the Wayne Densch Sports Center is the Nicholson Fieldhouse. The first indoor facility of any Division I football program in Florida, the Nicholson Fieldhouse features a 120-yard regulation playing surface that is equipped with Field Turf. It opened in June 2005.

In his address at the groundbreaking of the facility, UCF President Dr. John C. Hitt praised the John Williams, Vice President of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust in "getting this project rolling with his strong support". The Densch trust contributed $2.5 million for construction of the center. Hitt also acknowledged as "true leaders in getting this done," Nelson Ying, as well as UCF Student Government, which contributed $2 million to the project. Many alumni and others in the community have provided additional support, but the contributions of the trust, Ying and Student Government, cover the bulk of the costs, with a total of $5.2 million.

"Our sports programs mean a great deal to the university...[We] know [our athletes] are students as well as athletes...We have great coaches and athletes." Hitt concluded, "We've got to get over that hump of having great facilities too."

Williams pointed out that "Wayne Densch believed in this university. He knew how to celebrate and enjoy life and to give back to the community."