The Ohio State University Schumaker Complex

This new development center in the heart of the university’s growing Athletics District serves the nutritional, physical and psychological development needs of more than 800 student-athletes. Built next to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, it is home to Ohio State’s lacrosse, softball, rowing, field hockey and soccer programs and has training and rehab facilities for all 33 of its Olympic sport teams.

This one-stop shop for student-athletes includes dedicated locker rooms for each sport; 15,000 square feet of training space including treatment, rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, a weight room and agility turf; 2,600 square feet of classroom space; and a production kitchen. The offices for more than 50 coaches and support staff have views of their performance venues. Strategic adjacencies and amenities provide a positive experience for student-athletes and coaches alike.

At the core of the complex is a central gathering space where students can access a nutrition “fuel zone” and informal space for socializing and studying.

Graphic elements and display areas throughout the space celebrate Ohio State’s story and the athletic department’s storied history and accomplishments.

To help Ohio State use this complex to attract high-caliber student-athletes, HOK’s design team collaborated with the university to create a “recruiting path” that begins the moment potential students enter the building and continues until they leave.