By Tyler Shute
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – The sports facilities at the Blackwood campus of Camden County College need some upgrades, but it‘s a struggle to come up with money to upgrade them.
“Since Camden County College is one of, if not, the largest community college in the state of New Jersey, the athletics facilities should reflect the size and interest of the students that attend this college,” said Dr. Peter DiLorenzo, the athletic director at Camden County College. “From a student’s perspective, the gymnasium could be improved and there needs to be more outdoor activity areas for students.”
For students who would like to play outdoors, there are no outdoor basketball, tennis or volleyball courts. The soccer, baseball and softball fields need landscaping.
As of Oct. 22, there were no plans to address these problems. Bill Bartley, the assistant to the athletic director, said, “Allocating capital money to improve or replace athletic facilities is a challenge. Two-year colleges have a long list of buildings and facilities to improve. Classroom buildings, libraries, roads are only a part of the list competing for funds to improve their facilities.”
Even though the sports facilities need upgrading, some students feel the facilities are convenient.
“Everything is convenient. You have your weight training area. The facilities come with a lot of sports,” said Brian Grzeak, a Camden County College student.
Dereck Burchette, a Camden County College student, stated, “It’s appropriate for a community college. They have a weight lifting facility here. I work out as frequently as possible.”
Burchette had mixed feelings about the weight lifting room, saying, “The fact that it’s there is convenient for me. The times that they have work for me. It’s a little small and a little cramped in there. You get a lot of people in there at once and have to wait to use a machine and can potentially lose your pump and can throw off your workout a little.”
Jaileel Davila (left) and Hakim Abdullah (right) warm up for a touch football game on the soccer field. By Tyler Shute, CCC Journalism Program