GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A successful $500,000 fundraising goal met, Furman University Athletics' Strength Training and Conditioning Center will soon undergo a complete transformation to better serve Paladin student-athletes, it was announced today by Furman athletics director Jason Donnelly.

Made possible by gifts from four primary donors, Melvin Younts of Fountain Inn, S.C., Angie and Sam Kelly of Greenville, S.C., Christopher and Perrie Tomlin of Mountain Brook, Ala., and one anonymous benefactor, the renovations are set to begin in December.

"We are truly grateful for the passion and generosity of our donors in support of the Furman Athletics Strength Training and Conditioning Center," said Donnelly.  "First class student-athlete wellness, training and conditioning is a priority for our department which impacts our ability to compete at an elite level nationally. We are excited to open this new facility in January 2020 and sincerely appreciate the many contributions of coach Andre Bernardi and his staff to the overall success of Furman Athletics."

"We are very appreciative and thankful for everyone who has made this renovation possible," said Bernardi, Furman's assistant athletics director for strength training and conditioning.  "The generosity of many will positively impact thousands of student-athletes and go a long way in helping them reach their performance goals."

The renovated center will feature new Sorinex rack systems for more time-efficient, programmed workouts at single stations and new industry standard PLAE rubber flooring with in-lay platforms, ensuring improved safety and efficiency.  

Other major benefits the renovation will yield is additional space that will allow student-athletes more room for warm-up, agility, and plyometrics; improved scheduling capability allowing Furman's 450 student-athletes representing the university's 20 intercollegiate sports to be more economical with time management demands associated with academics and participation in the Furman Advantage; and strengthened recruiting appeal and coaching staff ability to develop and retain NCAA Division I talent.

Teams with large squad numbers such as football will be able to train at one time rather than in three groups and also utilize the facility for activity and complete walk-thru sessions in the event of inclement weather.

The facility will also feature a new graphics package highlighting Furman's championship tradition that includes 100 Southern Conference regular season championships, 126 league tournament crowns, 115 NCAA Tournament appearances, and two national championships.

The renovated Furman Strength Training and Conditioning Center is the latest in a number of high profile facility improvements undertaken in recent years by the university in support of its athletics program.  Others include men's lacrosse locker room renovation/expansion; new videoboards in Paladin Stadium and  Timmons Arena; track resurfacing and construction of the "Blue Shoes Track House"  at the Belk Complex for Track & Field; and the addition of 880 permanent seats at Latham Baseball Stadium.