Illinois State University celebrated the official opening of the OSF HealthCare Athletic Indoor Practice Center, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to enhancing the training and development of its athletes. The center, spanning nearly 79,000 square feet, features a regulation-sized football field and is designed for year-round use.
During the opening event, the sun shone brightly on the new OSF HealthCare logo that now graces the facility. Families engaged in various activities and interacted with student-athletes, enjoying the newly designed air dome.
Dr. Carol Friesen, Chief Medical Officer for OSF HealthCare Eastern Region, emphasized the importance of this collaboration between health care and education, stating, ‘It’s important that we take care of each other. Health care and academics are the lynchpin of every community, and if we’re strong, then the whole community is vibrant.’
This investment comes as part of a five-year partnership agreement, making OSF HealthCare the official health care provider for Illinois State University athletics. Under this agreement, student-athletes will receive comprehensive medical support, including access to trainers and sports medicine professionals.
In a demonstration of the facility’s versatility, Athletic Director Jeri Beggs noted, ‘Our golf team loves this space because they can practice their shots indoors. It has changed every sport that we have.’ Retired athletic director Larry Lyons played a pivotal role in the planning of this facility, which has already shown to boost recruitment and training effectiveness.
The OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center symbolizes a significant step forward for Illinois State University’s athletic program and highlights the continued partnership between education and healthcare in fostering a healthier community.
The center was officially dedicated and opened to the public on September 30, 2023.
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