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

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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

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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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Hard Work, Some Play Create St rong Muscles Jamie enjoys biking. Rod doesn ' t; he likes swimming. Tom, on the other hand, would rather jog any day. Whether biking, swimming, or jogging, the campus was swarmed with students trying to tone muscles as they burned calories. Burning calories was what it was all about as students moved to the beat of a good instructor in the various aerobic and dance classes offered around campus. Weekly sessions in campus dorms motivated many to attend the classes. Nearby tennis, racquetball and volleyball courts helped those wishing to combine exercise with game playing. Courts were full morning to evening and available to anyone wishing to join in on the fun. Becoming more apparent around campus was a new game involving an old trick. Instead of kicking a rock, kids now began to kick a bag — a bean bag that is. Hacky Sack, the new craze sweeping the campus, was a must for anyone wanting something on which to release his frustrations. Hitting a sack with high swift kicks was an art few could master. A couple hours drive didn ' t stop others from hitting the beaches. With surfboards on car roofs, the weekends were reserved for fun in the sun. Students ' reasons for shaping up varied as much as the sports they engaged in. Athletes aimed to perfect their skills while others simply wanted to enjoy the benefits of a healthier, stronger body. One student found aerobic exercising to be an excellent way of adjusting to the change from high school to college. Because she was now spending more time studying then exercising, she wanted to do something about it. In college my whole life slowed down so I have to do something to make up for the time I spend studying, said Dolly Rairigh, IUF. While everyone is gaining their freshman ten, I want to lose it Action was what every activity was about. Eventually, one by one, muscles became stronger and tummies became toned. — Jackie Bueno 1) Located on the ground floor of J. Wayne Reitz Union, the bowling alley provides students with a nearby place to burn calories and hit the pins. 2) Shooting pool at J. Wayne Reitz Union is just one of the many activities students enjoy after a long day with the books. 2) D. Adams Keeping Fit