In the upcoming weeks, the George Hubert Lockhart Gymnasium will be more accessible to students, allowing them to be more active and have fun. Lockhart Gymnasium is located on the right of the South Jackson Street and North University entrance, right before the checkpoint. The complex is used for physical education activities and intramural sports. It also includes a physical fitness area and a 25-meter pool. 

As of right now, it is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those hours are set to change after the Lady Hornets’ volleyball season ends in mid-November. 

“The gym will be open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. about four days a week. The hours on the weekend will depend on the number of people that choose to participate,” said Coach Fred Franklin, the coordinator of intramural activities here at Alabama State University. These are subject to change as November gets closer. 

Franklin has a lot of activities planned for all the students.  One of the main attractions available every year is intramural basketball. Students can expect flyers for sign-ups to start circulating after the first week of November. 

“If people sign up quick enough, I may start in the latter half of November …”  The teams will carry over to the spring and more teams will be added once students return for the spring semester,” Franklin said. 

The other activities include volleyball, kickball, and fitness classes. Volleyball is supposed to last about three weeks after the interscholastic season is over. The fitness class starts in January and will not only be open to students but also the faculty and staff.  Kickball begins in the spring.

Depending on the availability of the track due to its upcoming renovations, Franklin has plans for it as well. “Usually what I do in the spring is have the track open for February, March, and April and turn the lights on twice a week for people to go out there and workout.” This time will be useful, especially to students who have busy schedules during the day.

Something new that Franklin is trying to start up is a kickboxing training area behind Lockhart. He already has a couple of pieces of equipment like a punching bag and a mat. He plans to get more equipment soon to expand the training area as well. He wants to give students a chance to blow off some steam and to learn some things as well. He has an amateur mixed martial arts fighter who will train and teach students, free of charge. 

Franklin wants to give students many options for them to enjoy and find times to exercise around their busy schedules. While he is understanding of the limitations of Lockhart’s space, he does believe that by stretching out the hours and maximizing the number of activities, the students will still be able to have a good time. Despite whatever problems may arise, Franklin says, “We’re trying to make the best of what we have.”