Should the Sherman be athlete-only?

KYLE SCHECK
PHOTOGRAPHER

KATELYN THOMAS
STAFF WRITER

3/10/2025

Since the Sherman Strength and Conditioning Facility — popularly known as The Sherm — opened in 2016, access has been offered to all Alma students and staff members during the open gym times. I think the Sherman should continue to welcome everyone and not restrict access to athletes and athletic department staff only. 

Despite some misconceptions, there is currently no rule prohibiting non-student-athletes from working out in the Sherman. 

“Non-student-athletes are permitted to use the Sherman during open gym hours,” said Fletcher Roberts (‘13), Director of Sports Performance at Alma College. 

For some Alma student-athletes, they want an exclusive experience and hope there will be an enforceable rule. Some show concern for the lack of available racks or limited space based on the quantity of student athletes. 

While I empathize with these concerns, I think limited space occurs so infrequently that it is not justifiable enough to make the Sherm solely for student-athlete use. 

As an athlete myself, I believe everyone should have the opportunity to maintain a healthy relationship with themselves and their body through weight training and the Sherm is a great place to make this happen. 

For many teams on Alma’s Campus, weight training is an imperative part of their athletic health, performance and success. Because of this, each team has a “team lift” where only specified teams have access to the Sherm for a scheduled amount of time every week. 

The “team lift” times are blocked off and posted in the Training app for athletes and on the door outside of the Sherm. “Team lifts” are occasionally shared between two different teams. For example, softball and track lift together on Tuesday mornings. 

For non-athletes who prioritize being active, they have several options other than the Sherman. One site on campus is the Alan J. Stone Center for Recreation where students and community members can use the indoor track, play a variety of sports and weight train. 

While the Rec is a convenient location, allowing all students and staff members to use the Sherman builds community and prompts wellness. We are a small campus, and we should not let physical health divide us. 

No student should feel excluded when it comes to physical health. For example, students should be able to invite their friends who are not a part of a sports team. 

There is a sense of intensity and unity when you and other people work hard together in a shared space. There is a certain culture and attitude at the Sherm that students cannot duplicate at the Rec. 

Working out has always been social and encouraging inclusivity can manufacture new, stronger connections for both staff and students and cultivate a supportive environment. 

Furthermore, staying active improves mental health. College students experience a lot of stress and having access to the weight room provides an outlet for relieving stress in a healthy way. Students using the Sherm avoid the foot traffic of community members in the Rec and foster a judgement free environment surrounded by their peers. 

Just because students are not on an athletic team, they should still be able to reap the benefits of the school they paid for. Moreover, with a small student body and several hours of open gym time available per day, I believe all students should have the option to use the Sherm.