Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU Department of Athletics unveiled additional upgrades to Joe Walton Stadium prior to the start of the 2023 season Wednesday as well as plans for future renovations.
In addition to a
new video scoreboard, sound system and marketing and branding throughout the facility, a new athletics training room has been completed. It features a new hydrotherapy area with hot and cold tubs, expanded space for rehab and recovery and treatment spaces, cardio equipment, branded training tables and staff offices.
"The renovation of the athletics training room is part of the first phase of the changes to Joe Walton Stadium, which will positively impact the quality of our student-athlete experience," RMU Vice President & Director of Athletics
Chris King '94 said. "This renovation demonstrates our commitment to the investment in the health and well-being of our student-athletes. The athletics training room renovation impacts all of our student-athletes at RMU and provides them with a facility where they can receive the newest and most current treatment and rehab techniques to ensure their return to sport. Not only does the new renovation provide more space, but the training room also allows the athletic training staff and team physicians to work more efficiently in helping the student-athletes maintain their well-being. Being able to offer a state-of-the-art athletics training room is a significant step forward for our department. This renovation was long overdue, and is a first step in upgrades for Joe Walton Stadium."
Funds raised through the
Joe Walton Legacy Fund have been used to enhance Joe Walton Stadium's high priority needs and capital projects, which includes facility enhancements, continued branding and deferred maintenance.
The next phase of renovations in the planning stages for Joe Walton Stadium will be renovations to the football locker room, equipment room, a lounge space adjacent to the locker room and additional segment rooms. The new locker room will be larger and the configuration of the space will be more efficient. Enhancements include all-new lockers, a lounge area with multiple flat screen televisions and all-new carpet, lighting, furniture and graphics.
"The football locker room project will elevate our football program to the next level," said King. "Our ongoing and planned facility project renovations in Joe Walton Stadium will enhance our student-athlete experience and position the football program on par with our peers. We know that in the Big South/OVC, facilities are a major aspect in recruiting and the locker room renovation will assist in keeping up with the conference football programs. Our locker room needs an overall upgrade from a functional and operational standpoint. The locker room is one of the areas where football student-athletes spend most of their time, so this upgrade will not only greatly benefit our current student-athletes but is also a big part of our efforts to enhance our football recruiting. We are looking forward to rolling out our plans to the public in the near future and are continually looking at how to enhance all of our athletics facilities for now and into the future."
To learn more about opportunities for naming rights or to support the Joe Walton Legacy Fund for the future locker room renovation project, please contact associate athletic director TJ Brown at (412) 397-5960 or via email at
brownt@rmu.edu. All donations restricted to the football locker room campaign will be deposited into the Joe Walton Legacy Fund. RMU Athletics offers various naming rights opportunities, including the athletics training room and the future football locker room renovation project.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE NEW RMU ATHLETICS TRAINING ROOM
Bernard Clark, Jr., Head Coach (Football)
"The upgrades to Joe Walton Stadium help continue the legacy of the founding father of RMU football. The new video scoreboard, athletic training room and plans for a new locker room is a boost for our program and is a big reason why the Joe Walton Legacy Fund is so important."
Courtney Grove, Head Coach (Women's Lacrosse)
"We're excited for the updates to the athletics training room facility. It's a great step in bettering the overall student-athlete experience and focusing on their well being while also keeping them physically and mentally healthy throughout the season."
Craig McDonald, Head Coach (Men's Lacrosse)
"The updates to Joe Walton Stadium and, specifically, the new athletic training room will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes. This is another example of the athletic department and university placing a premium on the health and well-being of our student-athletes. We're excited about this new facility for our current players and all future Colonials."
Mike Vittorino, Assistant Athletic Director (Sports Medicine)
"The RMU Sports Medicine staff is excited to have this new athletic training facility available to the student-athletes. It provides ample space for our athletes to receive medical care and rehabilitate their injuries to return to their prospective playing surface."
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