The Mary B. White Building, which is centrally located on the Penn State campus, is the home to the Nittany and Lady Lion Gymnastics and Fencing programs.
White Building
The Mary B. White Building, which is centrally located on the Penn State campus, is the home to the Nittany and Lady Lion Gymnastics and Fencing programs.
Gymnastics
The White Building, which is centrally located on the Penn State campus, has been home to Nittany Lion gymnastics team since 1976. Situated just one block from the dormitory that houses many of the Penn State gymnasts, it was extensively renovated during the summer and fall of 2000. The gym's design and its amenities make it the finest collegiate gymnastics facility in the country.
The state-of-the-art facility features 13,400 square feet of training space, nearly twice the size of most collegiate facilities. The team has the benefit of working on new AAI equipment and landing mats at a multitude of training stations. There are two 40 square foot floor exercise systems, each with a Resi pit adjacent for tumbling, and a 68-foot tumbling strip where gymnasts can choose between a Resi or a deep foam pit landing.
Three vaulting stations are available, maximizing the gymnasts ability to train using safe and effective progressions. Deep foam and Resi pit landing areas are used along with a floor level horse, which features an above ground Resi pit available for drills.
The pommel horse training area includes two pommel horses, a longitudinal horse, a single pommel station, a floor horse and a mushroom. Five ring stations are located throughout the gym and are situated over deep foam, Resi pit and regular floor landing areas. Strength training is performed primarily at two low ring stations.
Gymnasts also have the option of landing areas on the horizontal bar. A regular floor surface along with Resi and deep foam pits are available to allow athletes to train safely and remain on the cutting edge of gymnastics technique.
A low bar is available for strap work, as well as in-bar work. Parallel bar stations include a competitive/training set, a low bar station and a set of bars next to a deep foam pit for dismounts. A trampoline is present, complete with overhead spotting and deep foam pit accessibility.
Complete with new heating and air conditioning systems, upgraded lighting and a unique architectural design, the gym is not only functional but beautiful, as well. Motorized blinds have been installed to filter out sunlight from the 32 spacious windows that adorn the gym.
Additionally, a newly renovated locker room, complete with personalized lockers, is used by the team. One of the exciting enhancements to the White Building gymnastics area is the addition of a team lounge that is shared by the men's and women's gymnastics team and the fencing teams. This lounge area is available for study, relaxation or to review video footage. Leather couches and chairs, a fireplace and a big screen television give the lounge area a "living room feel.
Fencing
The NCAA Championship PSU Fencing program has one of the best fencing rooms in the country. There are fourteen permanent fencing strips, with staff offices and an armory attached. Air conditioning was recently installed in the fencing room, creating a pleasant training environment. The Team also employs an additional space, where five more permanent strips exist, including electrical scoring apparatus, are located.
Nearby is an athletic training room. During practices, an athletic trainer is on duty so fencers can be evaluated, treated and/or referred on a daily basis. A trainer typically accompanies the fencing team on all trips and is present at all practices.
The White Building also houses a fitness center, where fencing team members may take the opportunity to improve their strength, flexibility, or cardio fitness; go for a relaxing swim; sit in a Jacuzzi; or take part in other organized fitness programs. These are all valuable adjuncts to the main training regimen instituted for the Fencing Teams
The main gym in White Building is a familiar training and competition site for the Penn State Fencing Teams. Cardio and fitness training takes place there at least once per week during the season. Home fencing meets are fenced in this spacious facility. In addition to the permanent strips in the fencing room(s), at least sixteen more temporary strips can be erected in White Building complex to accommodate expanded competition needs.
Men's and Women's Locker rooms, newly renovated and upgraded with personalized lockers for student-athletes, are also provided for within the White Building complex.
Team Lounge
One of the exciting enhancements to the White Building is the addition of a team lounge that is shared by the men's and women's fencing teams and gymnastics teams. This lounge area is available for study, relaxation or to review video footage. Leather couches and chairs, a fireplace and a big screen television give the lounge area a "living room feel".