Pumped up

You probably have never noticed it before: A cream-colored storage garage tucked away in Lot 20 adjacent to the former Department of Public Safety building and the Raider Ride bust stop.

While the building usually houses grounds equipment, the garage now serves another purpose: the new workout facility for the Wright State University Army and Air Force ROTC programs.

“We are sharing it with the grounds crew. They obviously have some equipment that they’re trying to keep out of the cold,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Larrison, professor of military science.

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 a.m. the gym fills up with dozens of cadets preparing for the Army Combat Fitness Test, which they take before entering basic training.

“It’s a really good gym,” said Donika Rieben, a sophomore ROTC cadet majoring in organizational leadership. “I really love it.”

The Army ROTC Program owned fitness equipment, but the weights and benches were stored in a trailer, requiring cadets to unload and load the heavy equipment for each workout. Previous workouts took place at the Rinzler Student Sports Complex.

The building allows cadets to park nearby and train indoors when the weather is poor.

“Working with the school, we were able to purchase additional fitness equipment, find this space here and it’s heated enough, and we are able to come down here anytime we want to and access the equipment and train,” said Larrison.

The facility is also available to the Air Force ROTC, student veterans and Wright State police officers.