The weather couldn't have been better in the late afternoon hours of Thursday, September 16. As USI students, officials, faculty and staff gathered in front of the Screaming Eagles Arena, members of the media and Evansville community also came together to celebrate the official completion of the Screaming Eagles Complex, the Aquatic Center and The Screaming Eagle sculpture. In the warm afternoon sun, Dr. Ronald Rochon, USI President, addressed the crowd with excitement and enthusiasm. "I'm in such an incredible mood today," said Rochon as he spoke. "A lot of it has to do just with being thankful; being in a space where you have community that comes together and celebrate this amazing institution, our history, our future, the people who are responsible for this institution—it just makes me so incredibly happy."
Perched just outside the front entrance of the Arena in the plaza, The Screaming Eagle sculpture greets not just students, but fans and supporters of the University's athletic teams. Standing at 12.5 feet and made of aluminum, the piece depicts USI's athletic logo and has already become a favorite sculpture of students on campus.
The piece was designed by USI Professor Emeritus of Art John McNaughton and Professor Emerita of Art Joan Kempf deJong. It is set to provide a landmark for fans to gather before events in the Arena and is the perfect backdrop for students and alumni to snap a photo or snag video to show off their school spirit.
The sculpture was made possible by generous gifts to the University from Terry and Ron '81 Boren and Tim Mahoney. Evansville Sheet Metal Works aided in the fabrication of the sculpture.
The Screaming Eagles Complex is composed of both additions and renovations to the former Physical Activities Center. Inside, the Complex houses both USI Athletics and the Kinesiology and Sport Department of USI's Pott College.
Along with the offices of all the University's athletic teams, the Complex also features multipurpose athletic courts, a newly-remodeled 6,000-square-foot Athletics Weight Room, a 1,200-square-foot Instructional Performance Center and Human Performance Laboratory, classrooms, lounge spaces and locker rooms for USI Men's and Women's Soccer, Baseball, Softball and Men's and Women's Track and Field. There also are media rooms for athletic teams to utilize.
The Aquatic Center is set to bring in new athletes to the University as well with the addition of the Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving teams. With these two new teams, the total number of intercollegiate athletic programs at USI comes to 19. The event on September 16 introduced the coach heading up the new programs, Cameron Kainer.
"Swimming and diving is an integral part of youth sports in the state of Indiana and a program we have been hoping to offer for some time now," said Jon Mark Hall, USI Athletic Director. "Our new Aquatic Center will be a perfect home for these new programs, and we can't wait for the USI community to experience it both by attending meets and taking advantage of the pool themselves."
"Seeing the new Aquatic Center being built this past year made me hopeful that the addition of the team was imminent," said Kainer. "I am so thankful USI made the commitment to add the program. I am very excited and blessed to be named the first head swimming and diving coach."
It's difficult to ignore the excitement the Screaming Eagles Complex, the Aquatic Center and the sculpture bring to USI. "This is a great day for lots of reasons," said Rochon at the open house celebration. "We have so much to celebrate. Think about where USI was in 1965 and where we are right now in 2021. There's no way in the world we could have imagined we could be in this space, with these kinds of facilities—the envy of so many institutions across the globe."
That buzz wasn't just exuding from USI officials, employees and staff—student athletes were also in attendance to help guide small group tours of the new facilities, their enthusiasm already clearly evident. It's a project that not only had students' education and futures in mind, but one that took into consideration their thoughts and needs for an unforgettable experience on the USI campus.
"We are proud of the work that has gone into make this amazing, multi-functional space that it is," said Dr. Khalilah Doss, Vice President for Student Affairs. "Our students were an integral part of this process and as we work on ways to make their overall college experience holistic and memorable ones, I truly believe this space will be included in their 'Good Ol' Days' stories, when they reflect on their experience here at USI."
As students, faculty, staff and the public filed into the Arena, Complex and Aquatic Center for their tours on September 16, plans to attend future events and hopes for more opportunities at USI filled the conversations. Looking to the future, it's not a stretch to say these spaces on campus showcase the potential of memorable stories for everyone in the USI and Evansville community.
"Students, I know you are excited. I see the pride in your eyes. This is your house. Take care of it. Take care of your business. Take care of each other, take care of USI. Love on it, share it with others." — Ronald Rochon, USI President
Credits:
Elizabeth C. Randolph Barbara J. Goodwin Zachary Kuhs