An addition to Si Melby Hall, Augsburg’s main athletic facility, will address pressing space shortages for Augsburg’s academic, intercollegiate, and recreational programs. Expansion highlights include new classrooms, a wrestling/multiuse center, and workout facilities.

The increased popularity of fitness activities, the growth in the number of women’s sports offerings and the heightened demand for use of the College’s facilities by the community over the past decade require the College to expand its athletic facilities — specifically, the addition of a south wing to Si Melby Hall.

Sports and fitness always have played a large role in campus life at Augsburg, contributing to the strong sense of community and camaraderie enjoyed by Augsburg students, faculty, and staff. Currently, nearly 50 percent of the Augsburg community participate in some form of athletic activity. The College offers 18 intercollegiate Division III varsity sports for men and women with emphasis on the development of scholar-athletes who achieve in the classroom as well as on the playing field. In addition, intramurals are a popular informal activity for approximately 600 students.

Si Melby Hall was completed in 1960 and underwent extensive renovation several years ago. However, further expansion of the facility is needed to adequately serve the scope of the College’s Health and Physical Education academic program, the highly successful wrestling program, recreation for the entire student body, and meeting space for alumni and the community.