Jim Carell Fitness Center Opens To Rousing Reviews

Over 1000 of the Irish faithful were on hand Saturday afternoon and evening for the dedication, blessing and opening of the new Jim Carell Fitness Center at Father Ryan High School. With Bishop David Choby '65 presiding at Mass and Mayor Karl Dean exhorting the assemblage with "Go, Irish!", the day proved to be a landmark one in the school's history.

The new Center is a highlight in and of itself, with over 15,000 square feet of new space--including a new football locker room; new fitness and strength room that at 4,500 square feet is five times the size of the old one; the Patrick Simpson '74 Wrestling Facility; a sports medicine room and a new team room flanked by trophy cases showcasing the school's rich athletic history. Another 15,000 square feet of existing space was renovated to provide new locker rooms, offices, classroom space and meeting spaces for the school. There were some emotional highlights as well:

-Over 400 of the school's athletes and coaches came to the floor of the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse just before Mass ended to receive the Athlete's Blessing from Bishop Choby '65, starting a new tradition at Father Ryan.
-The Bishop's sermon and Mayor Dean's remarks echoed the Father Ryan tradition and moved the crowd.
-More than 20 administrators, donors, board members, coaches, and students cut the ribbon to open the facility as more than 400 of our guests looked on
-Our band was there and drummed up the spirit with the Fight Song as the crowd headed into the Fitness Center.
-The new trophy cases showcased trophies from past and present, including a group presented by the National Catholic Basketball Tournament from the 1930s and special uniforms loaned for the event by Bill Conrad '75 and Rosemary Ducklo Sexton SBA '62.

It was a great day to be Irish...and on Saturday, everyone was.

Press Coverage
The Tennessean
Nashville City Paper
Brentwood Home Page
Tennessee Register
Franklin Homepage
Green Hills News