The dedications for the new Rinehart Room and the Mary C. Miller Student-Athlete Enrichment Center in Ashland University's Physical Education Center will take place on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m.
The creation of the Rinehart Room and the Mary C. Miller Student-Athlete Enrichment Center was supported by a gift from the Jan Rinehart Estate as well as gifts from AU alumnus Rob Ward, Class of 1987, and AU alumna Mindy Rinehart Ward, Class of 1989 and 1993; AU alumnus Sherrill Hudson, Class of 1965; and AU alumnus and longtime staff member Stan Miller, Class of 1970 and 1977.
"These facilities will enhance life for our student-athletes, coaches and staff," said Al King, Ashland Director of Athletics. "We've long dreamed of having something like these two rooms. These facilities will affect every sport and they will be used in every season. Without the generous support of the donors we would not be able to do this. We can't thank them enough for what they've done for Ashland University."
The Rinehart Room will be used on game days for pre-game and post-game activities for volleyball, wrestling and men's and women's basketball contests, in addition to press conferences, department meetings, recruiting visits, alumni and community engagement events, and special events/retreats by area businesses.
Adjacent to the Rinehart Room, the Mary C. Miller Student-Athlete Enrichment Center houses the office of Elizabeth Freund, Ashland's director of Academic Support Services, as well as a study lounge for Eagle student-athletes. The room also will be utilized by Ashland's Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
Dedication day will kick off the start of the 2019-20 Ashland University athletics season. At 7 p.m. on Sept. 5, the Eagle football team will begin its campaign at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field against Indianapolis, while the AU men's soccer team will travel to Lake Erie.
Ashland University, which has been ranked in the top tier of colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category, is a mid-sized, comprehensive private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Religiously affiliated with the Brethren Church, Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) deeply values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.
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