Another world-class sports facility has opened at the University of Oregon.
The Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Center is now open on the ground floor of the Casanova Center.
Check out the deets from GoDuck.com:
Entering from the west, student-athletes walk into a trophy lobby that is a stunning tribute to the Sports Performance Center's namesake. Trophies for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award and Manning Award reside in the lobby. One wall has a remarkable transparent LED flat screen television that alternately shows highlights of Marcus Mariota, and then reveals a shadowbox with memorabilia of his from Hawaii. There is also a playful illustration of a Pacific Ocean scene, complete with the Duck on a surfboard.
This inspiring entrance leads to the junction under a new skylight at the heart of the MMSPC, where innovations and applied science truly become the focus for Oregon's student-athletes. Remarkable technology and efficiency of space in the 30,000 square-foot renovation are two of the most impressive byproducts of the MMSPC construction.
"The goal of this project was to create one space where we could utilize the most state-of-the-art technology to improve student-athlete wellness and emphasize our commitment to the health and safety of our student-athletes," said Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens. "Thanks to the incredible generosity of Phil and Penny Knight, we now have a world-class facility that is going to take the student-athlete experience at the University of Oregon to a level not previously seen anywhere on the collegiate level."
Dr. Greg Skaggs, UO’s director of athletic medicine, was a part of two fact-finding trips to research the facility, which took him to NASA and Australia. He says the center is designed to make real-time interventions into a student-athlete’s training program.
There are three main components to the sports science unit, recovery, physiology and movement. The facility also includes a passive recovery area, new equipment room and a small, warmly lit room with five sleep pods for student athletes to rest in between practices or meetings.
Watch the video at the top for the full tour.