RICHMOND, Ind. â€" Earlham College has turned something old into something new that can benefit every student.

With the help and support of two major donors, John Loose '64 and wife Jane Souder Loose '64, a new weight room opened this week for Earlham students. A part of the Loose Visiting Locker Room facility, which opened in the fall of 2014, is now equipped with a 2,400-square foot weight room that allows Earlham's athletic teams enough space to workout as a group. The space is equipped with Pro Series power cages, free weights and Olympic bars from Legend Fitness and Cybex International. The facility will also be used for Athletics, Wellness and Physical Education classes, offered every semester to the entire student body.

"Weight training has become an integral part of all college sports programs and is an important part of the recruiting process," said Loose, who received special recognition from the Earlham Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

Earlham Director of Athletics Mike Bergum stated, "The new weight room will benefit all of our programs and enhance recruiting, while providing a sense of pride for our student-athletes. This facility fits into our formula for success."

Built in the 1970s, the facility served as locker rooms for the Earlham football program and the visiting teams until Darrell Beane Stadium was constructed in 2007. Visiting football, field hockey, soccer and cross country teams began using the upgraded locker rooms last fall.

"I'm excited to have a facility like this for our student-athletes," Earlham Head Football Coach Nick Johnson said. "I'm grateful for the effort and energy that was put into this, in particular, I want to thank the Loose family who contributed to this project."

John Loose was a member of the highly successful Earlham football teams in the early 1960s. A honorary lifetime member of the Earlham Board of Trustees, he was the lead donor on the Darrell Beane Stadium project and is an ardent supporter of Earlham student-athletes.

Loose and his wife were also key supporters of the campaigns to build Landrum Bolling Center and the Athletics and Wellness Center. Loose was the chairman of Earlham's recent $68 million capital campaign that has resulted in improved facilities for the sciences and visual and performing arts and the strengthening of endowment.

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