NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Thanks to the generosity of Niagara University alumna Judith Quigley Ruse (’69), the O’Malley Weight Room received a facelift in August. Following its unveiling on September 5, Quigley Ruse returned to campus on November 5 to witness the official dedication ceremony.
After opening remarks from Niagara University Director of Athletics Simon Gray and Morgan Genovese, the president of Niagara’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Quigley Ruse took her turn at the podium to thank the university and its athletes for giving her the opportunity to help. She continued to explain the reasoning behind the generous donation to the student-athletes in the room.
“I want you to be strong enough to do what your spirit and your competitiveness want you to do,” Quigley Ruse stated. “I want you to be conditioned to avoid injury as much as possible and to be successful on your teams.”
According to the strength and conditioning staff and the student-athletes, the modernization of the space has made it much more functional. The room has been opened up to utilize the new floor better, and features new squat racks, benches, bands, kettle bells and more.
The improvements to O’Malley follow recent upgrades to several athletics facilities, including Bobo Field – the home of the baseball program, Niagara Field – the home of the men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s lacrosse programs, and the Gallagher Center atrium.