The University of Hawai`i Hilo has over 225 student-athletes, three full-time certified athletic trainers and a half dozen more student-interns.

Until a few weeks ago, those people did a lot of bumping into each other.

A new training room opened for use last month, located a few feet from the previous spot in the building just south of Vulcan Gymnasium. The previous space will still be used, giving head athletic trainer Kensei Gibbs and certified AT's Aya Morioka and Trek Rundle more space to maneuver.

Something that everyone is thankful for this week of Thanksgiving.

The project was completed by UHH's Auxiliary Services. with Director William Walters overseeing the work. Director of Facilities Planning Jerry Watanabe also played a role. The work included flooring and concrete, along with painting and leveling. Vulcan associate athletic director Kula Oda and baseball coach Kallen Miyataki also helped see the project through.

The room gives the training staff and Vulcan athletes over 400 additional square feet to get treatment in. 

"This was a long time coming," Oda said. "When the original training room was built, we had around 100 student-athletes and now we have well over 200. We hadn't expanded until now. We had people almost literally stacked upon each other. This is a big step up for us."

The new space includes Gibbs' office, two desks and six new training tables. Morioka and Rundle will remain in the now-more-roomy old space, which has three training tables and ice machines, along with files and records.

"This new space is amazing and a real blessing for all of our student-athletes," Gibbs said. "It could not come at a better time, as we are now able to provide much better physical distancing along with treatment and rehabilitation services.  A huge mahalo goes out to our Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, Interim VC for Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza, Athletic Director Patrick Guillen, Associate Athletic Director Kula Oda and our Athletic Training Room Supervisor Kalllen Miyataki.  Much grateful gratitude goes out to William Walters, the Campus Director of Auxiliary Services along with all of his very hard working, loyal and dedicated staff."

Having more space provided an unforeseen benefit that wasn't thought of when the plans were first drawn up three years ago. With COVID-19 protocols now a factor, social distancing can now be more easily accomplished.

"This added space was much needed on so many fronts," Guillen added. "We are grateful for all of those involved to give our student-athletes better care and our athletic trainers a better working environment."