With construction on the sports complex beginning earlier this fall, Aquinas athletic teams have been forced to find new residence for their practices and games.

“The timing of the decision to move forward with construction in August was the best thing for the project, but it was more difficult for the transition [from the field house],” Aquinas Athletic Director Terry Bocian said.

Bocian and the Athletic Department anticipated the renovation of the field house and made contacts with area colleges, high schools, and other facilities in order for the Saints’ athletic teams to have a place to call home for this season. As a result, the men’s and women’s basketball teams have been using Grand Rapids Community College’s Field House, while volleyball competed at Forest Hills Northern High School this past fall.

The lack of a home facility has been difficult for many in the Aquinas athletic program.

“It’s certainly not ideal, but we are keeping in mind what is to come,” Women’s Basketball Coach Linda Nash said.

Nash adds that the team has had to focus on what they are in control of and not dwell on it.

“We’ve learned to be a better team on the road and become more resilient,” Nash said.

 Bocian called the situation a “headache” but said that despite the inconvenience, all of the teams and coaches have cooperated.

The unavailability of the sports complex has affected everyone in the Athletic Department. It has not been just the obvious teams such as basketball and volleyball. Nearly every team has had to move to an off-campus site for practices and preparation for their seasons.

The baseball team has been practicing at Elite Baseball Training. The men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have been traveling to Woodland Sports for practices. The softball team will not be able to use their on-campus field this season, and the track and field athletes have been practicing at the Michigan Athletic Club (MAC) and Catholic Central High School.

Off-campus practice facilities have led to increased travel time to practice for athletes and coaches and have made scheduling difficult and time management even more important.

The travel and variety of practice facilities has put a strain on others involved in Aquinas athletics. The athletic training staff and students have had to deal with not having practices on site.

The increased travel has made it more difficult to transport necessary materials, and student coverage has had to be scaled back, which has affected athletic training students who need experience in the field. 

Head Athletic Trainer Matt McWilliams believes the increased travel and new playing surfaces may be adding stress on the athletes.

“Being nomads and living out of bags has hurt athletic performance,” McWilliams said. “Athletes need a place to call home to build team camaraderie.”

The sports complex situation has lead to confusion amongst athletes and fans. Communication has been, and will continue to be, key.

Many fans are not sure when and where athletic events are taking place. Some athletes are still not sure where to go to visit the athletic offices or the training room.

Athletic Director Terry Bocian said that communication with coaches and athletes has been smooth, but the day-in, day-out task of making sure everyone knows where to be has been “a headache” and contacting visiting teams to remind them where to be has been important as well. 

Perhaps most affected by the lack of a sports complex have been the senior athletes. This year’s volleyball team had no seniors, but John Lierman, Ty Motley and Matt McDonald of the men’s basketball team, as well as Joslyn Narber and Kaitlyn Lang of the women’s basketball team are playing their final season without a home court advantage.

“I really feel for the seniors in those indoor sports because it is their last year, and they are being inconvenienced,” Bocian said.

The athletic director is optimistic that the sports complex will be available for most of next fall’s volleyball schedule as well as the basketball seasons and intramurals.

“The real blessing comes when we finish the second phase,” Bocian said.

The second phase will provide new facilities for track, baseball, softball, lacrosse and intramurals.

Bocian hopes that people see the light at the end of the tunnel. He asks  that people  know that the renovation was necessary in order to move forward with better facilities.