BY: MATT VAN WAGENEN
If you are like me, break went too fast, but you had a great Christmas and New Years. You ate too much, maybe worked out a little, but have to get in shape again. The winter sports seasons are well underway and will soon be replaced by the spring sports' schedules. But they have got a few games left so be sure to get out there and support the Barons!
I have noticed that the Finnegan Field House has come up a great deal in conversation as of late. The main topic of discussion seems to be the weekend hours, or rather, "lack of hours." The Fieldhouse closes at 7 p.m. on Friday nights and is open in the morning till 3 p.m. on Saturdays. There are a large number of students who want the hours to be extended later into the evening on Fridays as well as into the night on Saturday.
Personally, I would like to be able to go to the gym later on a Friday or Saturday. Even for me, the weekend can be the only time I really have to go work out at the gym. Although Friday and Saturday nights are usually the nights to go out and paint the town red, sometimes just spending some time relieving stress in the gym is the way to go.
This brings up the noteworthy topics of having student help to ensure that the hours are staffed. I went out and spoke to a number of students, and the conclusion I came to is that there would not be a lack of willing workers to staff these weekend hours. Also, the question of whether or not people would want to go during these additional hours is answered with a simple "YES!!!" I know a great deal of people who have come to me to complain about the short weekend hours at the gym.
Then the idea of having the gym open on Sundays comes into question. The J.C. Williams Center, the library, and other areas on campus are staffed and open on Sundays. The Fieldhouse is not included in this list. For instance, if students are willing and allowed to work at Jazzman's, then why not at the gym? Once again, the general consensus seems to be in favor of having the gym open on Sundays.
Joey Schlueter, the student president of the Baron Athletic Committee, recently proposed that the Fieldhouse stay open later on the weekends to the Student Government. Due to a large student interest in the idea, he decided to speak for the masses and inquire. The results from this inquiry will be printed in my next column, I assure you.
As anyone reading this can probably tell, I am definitely a fan of extending the hours of the Fieldhouse on the weekends!! The people want to work out and stay in shape! I will speak for them!
On a separate note, we have quite the matchup in a few weeks! The Giants won the NFC title in overtime and the Patriots won the AFC title. Can I say REMATCH?? This is sure to be quite the Superbowl. I know for a lot of Pats fans, the loss of a few years ago is still a sore spot. Although I'm a Steelers fan, the first NFL team I ever liked (and still do) is the New York Giants. GO GIANTS!! I'll be backin' you!
Also, I've gotta say, I cannot wait for those commercials, gotta love the funniness!!
If anyone would like me to write about a particular issue, shoot me an email at mattmattvw@yahoo.com. I will say, my team loyalties are set and cannot, dare I say, WILL not, be changed. My topics of priority are Franciscan related, but I am also open for something in the national scene, especially in football or baseball! Feel free to give me a shout out and I'll see what I can do.
Hope everyone is doing well with getting back into shape after Christmas break!