Issue link: http://tcnj.uberflip.com/i/1492410
16 The College of New Jersey Magazine NJAC is established in the late 1950s and a few years later, Packer gets an addition to ensure TCNJ sports can meet the competition. The south gymnasium is built. Physical therapy rooms, a dance studio, and an academic fitness lab are also added. The original building, which faces Green Hall lawn, opens as a center for health and physical education. It contains two gyms, a four-lane pool, a health clinic, and exercise rooms. Keen observers can spot the difference in brick color from its future counterparts. 1932 1961 This hall is packed with success P R A I R I E Packer Hall, a home base for TCNJ's student-athletes, gets a win for its new Hall of Champions. The decorated corridor is like a big foam finger waving at nearly a century of Lions' athletics success. On display are the trophies from all 39 team national champi- onships, wall graphics to recognize the 53 individual national champions, and a timeline of the college's key moments in sports. Digital touchscreens allow visitors to search for All-Americans, All-NJAC athletes, and conference and national championship teams throughout the college's history. Additional upgrades in Packer include state-of-the-art equip- ment for the weight room and a refurbished athlete lounge. The TCNJ Foundation funded the full project to ensure today's ath- letes continue to build on the college's storied sports tradition. Walking through the Hall of Champions is inspiring and moti- vating, says TCNJ softball player Jaclyn Carifi '23. "It encourages student-athletes to strive for new accomplishments to be added to the walls. It's also rewarding to know how much the TCNJ community cares about our athletics programs." Growing greatness Packer Hall consists of three buildings that hold athletic and academic facilities. It has evolved to meet the changing needs of faculty, students, and athletes. "We are grateful that the college continues to invest in the future of TCNJ sports," says Athletic Director Amanda DeMartino. "We're developing a comprehensive athletics facilities master plan to assess areas to upgrade for the sake of our student-athletes."