University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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The O ' Dome Meets The Needs Of Its Audience Since opening its doors for fall in 1980, the Stephen C. Center has held events ranging from basketball to gymnastic meets; swimming meets to an engineering fair; Lawrence Welk to Cyndi Lauper, and the ever popular tractor pull. Over 130,000 people had passed through the doors of the O ' Dome to use its many facilities. As many as 1,000 people could participate in eight activities The building contained two weight rooms, a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool, two practice courts, a gymnastic a dance studio, a fencing and karate room and the main arena which could be used for basketball, volleyball and track meets. But the most outstanding feature of the center was its mushroom-like appearance. The building ' s roof was made of teflon and fiberglass which was kept inflated by fans blowing through eight flumes to keep all of the 150,000 square foot-roof inflated. Even with all this wonderment, many students complained that the O ' Connell Center did not bring in the big acts . This year, all that changed. The new addition of VSL towers enabled the center ' s ceiling structure to hold the sound and light that was needed for big acts. Bringing in Cyndi Lauper and Eddie Murphy were examples of this new versatility. After this year, officials planned on bringing even larger entertainers to Fall ' 85 would bring Gymnastics and other such activities. Whether you were looking for entertainment or a means to physical fitness, the Stephen C. O ' Connell Center was the place to go. 1) The Olympic-size pool gives students and athletes a great work-out. 1) K. Browne 24 O ' Connell Center

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Study Areas: As Diverse As The Individual While leading the Romantic movement with words of harmony and emo- tion, William Wordsworth said to leave the books behind and go to nature for wisdom. Well, students weren ' t exactly leaving the books behind, but they were going to nature. Snugged under a cozy tree or parked on their favorite bench, students dug into their school work and allowed the bookworm in them to roam free. Studying in the great outdoors seemed to become commonplace. found that fresh air was one of the ingredients needed to create new thought. Although nature seemed to be a preferred study area, it was far from the only place to hit the books. The library remained a convenient locale for studying. Although not as stimulating as the outdoors, it provided a much quieter atmosphere in which to concentrate. Study cubicles with lock and key could be sought should one wish to lock up their books. For many, staying awake was the part. Therefore, the bedroom was a comfortable place in which to attempt to acquire knowledge. Should a sudden desire to sleep envelop you, the bed was always near. Study habits varied widely. While many scholars enjoyed studying with frie nds, others sought solitude. For some students, two hours of studying was more than they could bare. Others thought there weren ' t enough days in the week. Then there were those who, by the means of some extraordinary could listen to music, watch TV and have dinner while studying. The motive was a common one — to maintain (or improve) that darn GPA. Sometimes the long hours of hard work paid off. Sometimes they didn ' t. But whatever the results, the cure for exhausted brain cells was usually the same; a room full of people, music and plenty of drinks. — Jackie Bueno 1 J. Rowland ' n P Wagner 1) Using a backpack as a pillow and the grass as a bed, this student catches up on some reading while she tunes in to music. 2) Concentration is a key element when a paper, just as it is when doing any school work. This student works diligently on his paper. 3) Using the grounds of the J. Wayne Reitz Union, this student is able to work on his latest project.

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2) K. Browne 3) K. Browne 1) The dance studios provide a good place for students to practice the latest steps. 2) Strengthening his muscles is what is on the mind of this student as he makes use of the weight room. 3) Joggers enjoy the indoor convenience of the O ' Connell Center ' s track. 4) The gymnastic team has use of this fully-equipped practice room. 1) K. Browne O ' Connell Center 25