The brand new WashU Field House court was unveiled for the public to see on Saturday. (Photo courtesy: WashU Athletics)
Steven Millbrook
Staff Writer
ST. LOUIS, MO — The Washington University athletic department recently completed the installation of its new court in the Field House. The Bears volleyball and basketball teams will now play on the Robbins’ MVP Court, which is used by multiple professional teams and Power 5 programs.
“It’s exciting to see the student-athletes’ reaction to the new Field House court,” said Azama. “We prioritized safety, our tradition and aspirational goals for every student-athlete to become and graduate a Scholar-Champion. We are fortunate to have the support of University leadership and W Club donors continue to impact the student-athletes’ experience at WashU!”
The court is a one-of-a-kind system that is tuned to minimize vibration and maximize uniformity and takes athletes’ performance, comfort and safety to unrivaled levels.
With this court, athletes are able to use less energy and perform at peak levels for longer periods of time. Additionally, athletes are less likely to be injured due to fatigue.
MVP court provides a patented sub-floor design that conforms to concrete and prevents dead spots. It also optimizes ball-bounce and promotes consistent player comfort. There is also no rigid contact or connections between the concrete slab and the active layers of the system which dampens vibration, which in turn is show to reduce fatigue and lower injury.
“The Robbins MVP System has been designed to be the safest floor on the market for athletes,” said Andrew Koch, Facility Manager. “With the way the system is built and installed, our athletes and their competition should be able to compete longer, maximizing their potential, while having less wear and tear on their bodies, which should result in fewer injuries. Additionally, with the First Grade Maple and the water-based sealer, the floor should have a lighter and more consistent look than the previous floor, while also having a safer and more sustainable finish.”
What the coaches are saying:
“I am so excited to practice and compete every day on this floor. I think the athletes will feel a difference as soon as they take their first steps on it and their bodies will feel the benefits every day while they are in training. This is an amazing commitment and investment for our athletes and I couldn’t be more grateful.” – Vanessa Walby, Volleyball
“Anytime you have a chance to upgrade facilities, it creates positive momentum. We are excited to have a floor that will provide an even better experience for our athletes. The Field House has a great tradition, so many conference and national championships won from the hard work of our Scholar-Champions in that space, so many epic competitions. We are excited about the future and thankful our administration and university believe in and care about our athletes so much.” – Randi Henderson, Women’s Basketball
“The safety and performance impact of the MVP flooring system will be game changers for our players. We’re thankful for the support of the university and the athletic leadership for providing our athletes with the tools necessary to train and compete at the highest level.” – Pat Juckem, Men’s Basketball
What the players are saying:
“My team and I are extremely grateful to the athletic staff and donors for their meticulous planning and efforts on our new facility. It is amazing to feel valued as a Scholar-Champion and we are so excited to get to work in the new gym!” – Zoe Foster, 2023_Field_House_Reno Volleyball
“The new flooring is stunning. It is so nice to see the athletic department investing in all the Scholar-Champions regardless of the sport from the new softball and baseball fields to the Sports Performance Center, now to our new floor. Women’s basketball is forever grateful to the administration for putting such thoughtful detail into the floor and setting us up for success in the upcoming season. We are beyond excited to practice and compete on a floor that has the well-being of its athletes at the top of mind. Go Bears!” – Jessica Brooks, Women’s Basketball
“After watching them work on it all summer, the new Field House court does not disappoint! It looks amazing and I can’t wait to start practicing, competing and stacking wins on it!” – Jabari Chiphe, Men’s Basketball
The WashU women’s volleyball team will be the first to get to use the new court. The Bears will begin practicing on the court immediately and will host the new floor’s first event when it opens the WashU Bear Invite Volleyball Tournament on September 1 and 2.