It isn’t always just passion and determination that helps athletes to win medals. Sometimes, a well-equipped training facility is what can make a difference at the highest levels. Almost all of the top NCAA gymnastics programs across the country boast state-of-the-art training centers and the Long Island University Sharks are the latest to announce its new training quarters.

Unlike many of their comrades, the LIU Sharks didn’t have the boasting rights to a special place to call home for a long time. However, things are set to change, and how?

NCAA gymnastics program receives a special gift

In a recent post by the official LIU Sharks Gymnastics Twitter account, the latest addition to the team’s training gear has been shared in an ecstatic manner. “Great things are coming!“, reads the jubilant caption before sharing how their NCAA gymnastics dreams are nearing materialization. “The Sharks officially have a home on campus! This is PHASE 1 for the new gymnastics training facility for our Sharks.“, reveals the post further as members of the squad can be seen soaking in the atmosphere of the newly erected facility in the accompanying video clip.

The athletes can not hold back their excitement as they are welcomed to their new home which is poised to preserve the legacy of the current athletes of the program. Senior Alana Ricketts had to underscore how much the NCAA college has changed since her freshman year, while another of her teammates remarked that such moments make it all seem “worth it“.

Taylor Doten also recalled the emotional feeling that engulfed her when she first stepped into the new construction and how the whole team came together to make room for the new gym themselves. The post also informed the fans that more things are on their way: “…the capital fundraising campaign begins for the PHASE 2, a 11-16,000 sq ft extension!“. And that’s probably just the thing they have been missing.

Is LIU’s woes finally coming to an end?

2024 hasn’t been a noteworthy year for the Sharks so far. With a long list of losses, the LIU women’s gymnastics team has been struggling to find the ground beneath its wobbly feet for quite some time. Only last weekend, a narrow defeat to Bowling Green (195.925-195.875) once again highlighted the lack of motivation for the NCAA gymnastics team.

Read more: NCAA Gymnastics News: Tiger’s Head Coach Unveils His ‘Holistic’ Approach to Balance Athletes’ Mental Wellbeing Ahead of LSU vs Alabama

However, things might soon turn for the good next season, with their opportunities getting a long-awaited boost in the form of the new gymnasium. With Temple, Florida, NC State, and Iowa State waiting to wrap up the Sharks’ regular season in the coming weeks, it waits to be seen if the new addition to the campus boosts their performances in any way.