BLINN STUDENTS ENJOY NEW KRUSE CENTER
Blinn College students clearly appreciate the Kruse family’s generosity, with as many as 600 students per day visiting the Kruse Center to participate in a wide variety of activities.
The 36,000-square-foot Kruse Center opened in December, and includes space for general fitness, dance and yoga, weightlifting, fitness space, and multi-purpose rooms for community events and meetings. In addition, the Center features a gymnasium to host Buccaneer volleyball and basketball games, will serve as a venue for high school playoff games, and will host summer camps to increase campus activity in the summer months.
The Kruse Center was made possible with the support of a generous gift from siblings Mildred Kruse Bridges, Evelyn Ann Kruse, Ed. Kruse and his wife Evelyn, and Howard Kruse and his wife Verlin in memory of their parents, E.F. and Bertha Kruse.
“Students have asked for a place to work out with cardio equipment and more basketball facilities for many years, and we were able to accomplish that with the Kruse Center,” said Dr. Dennis Crowson, Vice Chancellor for Student Services. “From day one, Mr. Howard Kruse wanted it to be for all of the students, so that has been our main focus and it has added so much value to our campus.”
The Kruse Center is open to students and the community seven days a week.
“There has been a really positive response and a lot of us have made a commitment to live a healthier lifestyle since we have accessibility to this facility,” said freshman Grace Baxter, who works out at the Kruse Center every morning during the week. “I really appreciate Blinn opening it to the whole student body because now there are a lot more opportunities for everyone.”
Blinn College is one of the few junior colleges in the nation that offers on-campus housing for students on the Brenham Campus, and the Kruse Center has become an instrumental part of student life. To meet the varying schedules of its students, the facility is open on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m.
“The Kruse Center has been amazing for our students and is packed in here throughout the day,” said Kristen Westbrook, Coordinator of Campus Recreation. “We have averaged 400-600 students every weekday and 200-300 students every Saturday and Sunday.”
The Kruse Center offers a full cardio and weight room that includes exercise bikes, treadmills, multi-functional trainers and free weights, an open gym for basketball and volleyball, and an indoor track. It also is home to Blinn’s intramural sports programming, including basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, flag football, soccer, billiards, table tennis, video gaming, and various monthly tournaments.
“The Kruse Center has a created an opportunity for our students to have a healthier lifestyle,” said Dr. Jeremy Thomas, Dean of Student Success. “Our goal is to plan activities to entice students to do more geared around a healthy lifestyle. The teachers are helping take care of their minds in the classroom, and we want to help them take care of the body.”
The Kruse Center is home to the Blinn College Buccaneers men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and volleyball teams, and has increased the fan experience with its beautiful design.
“It showcases our athletic teams to the community, and I think we are really going to see a lot more people coming to games,” Crowson said.
Blinn athletes also enjoy using the facility to stay in shape throughout the season by playing intramural sports and taking fitness classes.
“After football practice, I like to go and enjoy all the different types of activities there like yoga and basketball,” Blinn running back Jamon Bradley said. “It gives athletes more opportunities to work out while meeting new people.”
For more information on Kruse Center activities and memberships, contact Kristen Westbrook at 979-830-4103 or campusrec@blinn.edu, and visit @BlinnBrenhamRec on Twitter for updates on recreational activities. Community memberships can be purchased for $125 per semester.
“If you are a new or prospective student and are thinking about coming to Blinn, then this is definitely a plus because of all the activities it offers,” Thomas said. “There are not very many residential colleges, and there are even fewer that have this type of facility designed for the entire student population.” Story and photos courtesy of Blinn College.
