Madison Kwiecinski – Editor-in-Chief

mvk5945@psu.edu

Trying to work out on a college campus, specifically one you are new to, can be difficult at first. You may not know exactly where to go, what times are available, or even just what all of your options are for exercise yet. Behrend has several different athletic facilities open to all students, some areas exclusive to athletes for extra practice, and many unique outside spaces you can access for exercise outdoors. 

First, to mention just some of the outdoor facilities open to all students, Penn State Behrend has a soccer/lacrosse complex located Behind the Junker Center, and an outdoor track located at the bottom of campus near the Behrend Fields. The track and field facility contains an 8-lane competition-level track and has separate areas for field events to occur. Behrend fields, which is located between Logan House and the main entrance to campus has four multi-purpose athletic fields and a putting green.  Also located at the bottom of campus, there is a tennis court, baseball and softball fields, and huge grassy areas for assorted sports. 

Behrend also has an entire disc golf course, and even hosts disc golf competitions as well as having a disc golf club you can join on campus. The discs to play can be rented out from the RUB Desk located in the Reed Union Building. 

Near the apartments at the top of the campus, there is a sand volleyball court. Intramural volleyball games are held here often and it is open for public use. 

All of the above-mentioned places are great for organized athletics or as places to just work out but remember not to forget about one of the most unique parts of Behrend’s campus, the Wintergreen Gorge. The gorge surrounds the campus and has several entrances in different locations. The gorge is a lovely place to go hiking, with tons of trails and the opportunity to walk along the water. Near the back of the Trippe parking lot, there is an entrance that leads to an overlook nicknamed devil’s backbone, which offers great views without too long of a walk. 

Perhaps the most obvious of places to work out on campus, there is also the Junker Center. The Junker Center opened in 2001 and is a $10.2 million athletic and recreation center for student use. Junker Center is 72,800 square feet and includes three all-purpose athletic courts as well as gymnasium seating for up to 1,600 people. Junker is typically open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. with classes taking place in the complex from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Junker also includes a swimming pool with eight lanes, which is often utilized by the swim and water polo teams here at Behrend. The pool also has hours for public use regularly and hosts open swims. A three-lane indoor running track is also located inside the Junker Center. 

There is a weight room, one of the most commonly utilized parts of Junker by students. The center also contains jumping pits, an aerobics room, lots of exercise equipment, and a locker room. Many athletic offices can also be located within the facility. 

The Junker center was named in honor of the Junker Family, as a way of honoring their long-standing commitment to Penn State, and specifically Behrend’s athletic programs. Between the Junker complex, the many other athletic facilities, and all of the outdoor space on-campus it is easy to stay active and in shape at Penn State Behrend.