Opened in November, 2002, the Friedman Wrestling Center is the nation’s only stand-alone facility devoted solely to collegiate wrestling. The building houses the Scott M. Smith Strength and Conditioning Center, Graham Morin Training room, locker room, Wechsler Alumni and Family Lounge and the Arno P. Niemand Arena.Niemand Arena, when set up as a practice area, allows for 6,300 square feet of mat space. The cavernous wrestling room allows the entire Cornell wrestling team to train at full speed without fear of collisions.
A concert-quality sound system runs throughout the building with special attention paid to the practice area and weight room. Spectacular arched windows provide natural lighting throughout the room.When set for dual meets, the retractable bleachers of Niemand Arena are pulled down to the competition mat, creating intimate and intense seating for up to 900 wrestling fans. This unique setup, combined with the state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, creates an electric atmosphere with spectators surrounding the mat.
The Scott M. Smith Strength and Conditioning Room is adjacent to the main arena and offers state-of-the-art equipment. Three multi-use power clean/squat/bench/pull-up platforms and dumbbells up to 140 pounds allow wrestlers to complete their core lifts without leaving the Friedman Wrestling Center. Treadmills, exercise bikes, and other training equipment combine to give the Big Red the strength and conditioning edge.
Big Red wrestlers are able to meet many of the demands of their academics while still in the Friedman Wrestling Center. The Wechsler Alumni and Family Lounge offers wrestlers top of the line computers and printers to complete their coursework and conduct research. The lounge doubles as a video analysis room, where wrestlers and coaches review matches and practices on a 60-inch plasma television. The lounge also provides a number of entertainment resources, such as satellite television, DVD, VCR, surround sound, and leather couches and chairs.
The Graham Morin Training Room has the most updated equipment for injury management and rehabilitation. It is equipped with two stainless steel whirlpools for muscle warm-ups before practice and cold plunges after practice. The room also contains a hydrocollator for moist heat, an ice machine, two electric stimulation machines and an ultrasound to address advanced soft-tissue injuries. The Graham Morin Training Room is a convenient and comfortable place for the Cornell wrestlers to rehab their injuries.
Adjacent to the Graham Morin Training Room, the Big Red’s locker room consists of 40 custom-made maple lockers. The lockers are designed to provide ample storage space with both a head and foot cabinet, and hanging space for apparel. Each locker has been sponsored and dedicated to a Cornell wrestling alumnus. Tiled floor with a large Cornell insignia completes this locker room.
