Woodling Gymnasium Enhancement Initiative

As Woodling Gymnasium prepares to celebrate its 50^th anniversary in the fall of 2023, Cleveland State Athletics has launched the Woodling Gymnasium Enhancement Initiative.

The initiative is designed to raise funds in celebration of Cleveland State's historic past while embracing the Vikings' championship culture in the classroom, in the community and in competition.  Enhancements are projected to include new lighting and sound system, branding and graphics, locker room improvements for several Viking teams (including volleyball, softball, wrestling, fencing, and cross country/track & field), technology, furniture and equipment for the academic center, weight room and training room equipment and cosmetic updates, and an interactive lobby display to honor CSU Athletics Hall of Fame inductees. Individual elements will be phased throughout the course of the funding initiative, beginning with academic center improvements following the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year.

The Woodling Gymnasium Enhancement Initiative scope includes more than $1 million in total costs and has been propelled by startup gifts and pledges totaling nearly $500,000 from three generous donor families – Pete Granson and Family, Daryl and Jenniffer Deckard, and Clark Broida & Marie Kittredge. Funds raised through the initiative will be invested to provide support of Cleveland State Athletics' academic endeavors, an elevated training and competition experience for student-athletes and coaches, while also improving fan experience for game and event attendees.  

Woodling Gymnasium is utilized by the volleyball, wrestling and men’s and women’s fencing teams to train and compete on a daily basis. In addition to those teams that compete inside Woodling Gymnasium, the softball, lacrosse, cross country/ track and field and swimming and diving teams all have locker room spaces inside the Physical Education building.  

The Physical Education building also houses an academic center used by the majority of Cleveland State student-athletes, along with a sports medicine training room that accommodates 16 of Cleveland State’s 18 teams, and a sports performance center that is used by 270+ student-athletes on a regular basis.    

Volleyball, wrestling and fencing call the Homer E. Woodling Gymnasium home. The 3,000 seat facility is located in the Physical Education Center since it's opening in 1973.  The facility has witnessed many memorable events and games from Cleveland State student-athletes including the magical 1986 men's basketball season, multiple Horizon League volleyball championship matches, eight All-Americans gracing the wrestling mats. and multiple NCAA qualifying fencers including national champ Carlo Songini gracing the strip.

If interested in leadership giving opportunities, please contact Brandon Longmeier at b.longmeier@csuohio.edu or call 216.630.2974.