NEW ATHLETIC FACILITY CHAD WILLIAMS
The Johnson Memorial Health Athletics Annex at Franklin College is on the horizon thanks to a $1 million commitment from the Franklin-based health-care network. The indoor multiple-use annex will be located on the College campus, at the southwest corner of Park Ave. and Second St. Retractable batting cages, golfing surfaces, a weight room and ample indoor spaces will accommodate a variety of athletic practices to support skills development and conditioning year-round. Nearly 44% of the student body participates in the College’s 21 men’s and women’s athletic programs. “This generous gift is the latest endorsement of our wonderful working relationship with JMH,” said Franklin College President Kerry Prather. “We partnered with JMH on the creation of our Graduate Health Sciences Center, and again with the employment of our campus nurse. The hospital and its staff have been incredible partners in hosting undergraduate interns and graduate-level physician assistant studies majors for clinical experiences. Athletically, our student-athletes are extremely well-served by JMH, as the preferred provider of health-care services for our athletic department.” JMH President and CEO David Dunkle ’94, M.D., said, “Our intent is to always provide greater access to resources students can use to maintain and improve their physical health. The Johnson Memorial Health Athletics Annex is an example of our ongoing commitment to be invested in the well-being of not just the Franklin College community, but the surrounding community as a whole.”
Franklin College President Kerry Prather and JMH President and CEO David Dunkle ’94, M.D.
The College previously made athletic facility upgrades in 2011, when outdoor venues for tennis, softball and track and field were built in Grizzly Park, and Stewart “Red” Faught Stadium received turf and lights for football, soccer and lacrosse. J
HOSTS OF CHAMPIONS Franklin College and Indiana Sports Corp. will host the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving National Championships, scheduled at the IU Natatorium in downtown Indianapolis. Franklin College previously hosted in 2012 and 2018. The 2026 event is projected to bring more than 500 studentathletes from around the country to compete in 40 events over a four-day period. Hosts were announced in October 2020, but bidding for 86 of the 90 NCAA championships began in August 2019. More than 3,000 bid applications were received. Each sport
committee, per division, selected the host sites it believed would provide the ultimate experience for the respective student-athletes, resulting in more than 450 championship sites selected. The four championships not included in the process due to preexisting arrangements were Division I baseball, football and softball, and Division III women’s ice hockey. Indiana Sports Corp. leads the statewide initiative Team Indiana, whose mission is to promote the state as a premier destination for sports-related events. Team Indiana also has involvement with past, present and future NCAA Championships. J
SPRING 2021
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