Clark Atlanta upgrades athletic facilities

Clark Atlanta University’s Panther Stadium is one of the school’s athletic facilities undergoing upgrades. CONTRIBUTED

Clark Atlanta University’s Panther Stadium is one of the school’s athletic facilities undergoing upgrades. CONTRIBUTED

From CAU Panther Stadium, to the Vivian Wilson Henderson Gymnasium, to the Panthers’ tennis courts, Clark Atlanta University’s athletics facilities are in the midst of a slew of upgrades that will give Panthers athletics a brighter, updated look.

“I am excited about these upcoming projects that will change CAU’s athletic footprint in the conference, as well as in the region,” said Athletic Director J Lin Dawson. “Very soon, a new video board will be installed in CAU Panther Stadium, the Olympic track will be refurbished, and the swimming pool at the Vivian Wilson Henderson Building will be restored.”

On the heels of a new floor and bleachers at Henderson Gymnasium, the men’s basketball locker rooms have been refurbished with new lockers, a player’s lounge and study area. The same is being done for the women’s basketball locker rooms, while volleyball and tennis locker rooms are also getting upgrades. The gym lobby will also be spruced up, including a new floor graphic.

Outside, the tennis courts are being resurfaced. Gone will be the old green surface that will be replaced by the industry standard blue surface, along with new fencing.

Evan Brown, team operations, equipment and facilities manager, said that along with a new track, Panther Stadium will get new laundry equipment and a new pictorial display featuring CAU athletes of the past and present on the walls in the locker room area.

Many of the new facility upgrades are currently in progress, with the video board slated to be installed by CAU homecoming day.

“I’m ecstatic,” Brown said. “This is a long time coming. This is our home. Whatever we can do to make it better for us, the school and student athletes, we’re going to do it.”