Bates Strength Center at Wittenberg University

About This Facility

The Bates Strength Center opened in 2019 as part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) restoration and expansion initiative. The center is named for former Wittenberg Board of Directors member, Wes Bates '70, and his wife, Ann Sammel Bates '70, in recognition of their $10 million contribution to the project.

The facility features weight racks and rigs built by Sorinex, an indoor turf strip, dumbbells from 5 lbs to 125 lbs, various types of barbells, and plenty more. To complete the Bates Strength Center, Wittenberg enlisted the help of MS Consultants, Inc., to design the facility, and Danis Construction Company to help with the construction of the center.

Located in the HWA, the Bates Strength Center is directly connected to The Steemer, Wittenberg's state-of-the-art indoor turf competition and training facility. With the HWA itself being a short walk away from any campus destination, it is very easy to access the Bates Strength Center. To read more about the completion and dedication of the Bates Strength Center, visit the original press release here. 

Accessibility: The Bates Strength Center is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, and staff members in the University's Department of Athletics are willing to make accommodations for patrons needing assistance.

Wes and Ann Bates '70

The Bates Strength Center was constructed as part of the HWA restoration and expansion intiative that was completed in 2019. The lead gift toward the initiative was made by Wes and Ann Bates, both members of Wittenberg's Class of 1970. Wes Bates served on Wittenberg's Board of Directors since for nearly 20 years, during that time assuming leadership positions as chair of the enrollment and marketing commitee and the co-chair of the campaign steering committee for the "Having Light" fundraising campaign that generated more than $100 million.

Ann Bates has been vital partner with her husband in the family's philanthropic efforts. They met at Wittenberg during their undergraduate years and have made many contributions to their alma mater as alumni.

Wes Bates graduated from the Dublin High School, which is now Dublin Coffman High School. The iconic colors of his family's cleaning services company, Stanley Steemer, were directly inspired by the colors of Dublin High School. He chose Wittenberg in large part to play football for National College Football Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Edwards, but he realized there was so much more to Wittenberg than just football. He really liked the fact that the professors were so accessible and credited his writing skills as one of the most valuable lessons he got from Wittenberg. As an alumnus, Wes Bates was a recipient of the Class of 1914 award, which is given to individuals who served the university above and beyond what might be expected of any contributor.

After his time at Wittenberg, Bates went back to work for his father and his cleaning services company, Stanley Steemer. After 15 years, he became president and CEO of the company. Still headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Stanley Steemer has been among the most successful carpet cleaning businesses in the United States for more than 70 years.

History

The Bates Strength Center was built in 2019 as part of the HWA Complex restoration and expansion initiative. University leaders hoped to create a state-of-the-art facility unlike anything in NCAA Divison III Athletics, including improved facilities dedicated to strength training and conditioning that would enhance the student-athlete experience and the performance of Wittenberg's teams.

Prior to the construction of the 7,000-square-foot Bates Strength Center, student-athletes utilized the Bob Rosencrans Fitness Center, built in 2005 and still available for use today, and the Heinzen Strength Center, located in the basement of the 1929 Fieldhouse, in a space that originally housed the McGilvray Natatorium, which opened in 1929 as an original portion of the fieldhouse. The space was converted into a strength and conditioning facility in 1982 as part of the $7.1 million HPER Center (Health, Physical Education, and Recreation) expansion project, which included the construction of a new Wittenberg Natatorium. In 2005, the Bob Rosencrans Fitness Center was built to supplement the strength and conditioning offerings available in the University's athletics facilities.

The Heinzen Strength Center was converted into a space for athletic training as part of the HWA Complex restoration and expansion initiative in 2019.

Written By: Marin Summers '27