by Brian Asare & Kelly Kennedy, Photography Editor & Staff Writer

Earlier this fall, the Manhattan College Athletics department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Gaelic Park Athletic Center (GPAC). The ceremony marked the formal ending of a preparation process that started back in the spring of 2018. The facility currently accommodates every Manhattan College varsity sports team that competes at Gaelic Park. It features new coaches’ locker rooms, five individual team locker rooms, an athletic training room, and a lounge where athletes can relax and hang out with other athletes or coaches.

Student athletes and staff members that utilize this facility are not only excited about finally being able to have a private space for themselves, but are also grateful that the overall quality of the facility has met their expectations.

Brianna DeLeo, a junior Psychology Major and a member of the women’s soccer team, is excited about the convenience this facility adds to the busy lives of her and her teammates.

“The locker room and facility means to our team that we can have a place that is easier and more accessible to the field when we get ready and when we are trying to go to class after practice or just having a more unified culture,” DeLeo said during an interview with Go Jaspers.

Susan Morad, a senior Finance Major and a member of the women’s lacrosse team, iis intent on using this designated space to strengthen existing relationships with teammates and to form friendships with other student athletes.

“This facility and locker room provides for me a sense of camaraderie. It’s a place for us to get treatment together, celebrate our wins together, and to foster a community of friendship not only with our team but also with our fellow other student-athletes,” Morad said during an interview with Go Jaspers.

Jenna Dingler, head coach of the women’s lacrosse team, believes that this new facility will play a major role in building the culture of her program.

“The facility, and more importantly this locker room, means tremendous amounts to this program. It’s going to make lasting memories here for all the student-athletes that come through and it is going to change our team culture tremendous amounts,” Dingler said during an interview with Go Jaspers.

Jorden Scott, head coach of the men’s soccer team, believes that this facility is a step in the right direction towards building a relationship between the student-athletes and staff that will lead to tremendous successes.

“This facility means everything to me and the program because it truly changes lives. What it does for our day-to-day lives is it creates a more efficient way of living life as a student-athlete,” Scott said during an interview with Go Jaspers. “It also brings that togetherness. I think that’s the key piece of this facility is that it brings these teams together.”