Let me tell you a story about my friend.

He comes after school once a week to the fitness center to stay in shape. As he prepares to bench press on one of the ten racks available to students and faculty, he finds himself excluded. Each rack is empty except for a white, laminated piece of paper which states, “RESERVED FOR TEAM

LIFT.” All he can do is wait. He does some supplemental lifts and runs on the treadmill while offseason athletic teams hog the racks, lifting with all their might. More than an hour later, he is finally able to have his own serene rack, vacant from the athletes who have completed their workouts.

Now, here is how his weekly workout should go: he arrives at the fitness center, secures an empty rack, lifts and then continues on his way. No disturbance, no waiting and no white, laminated piece of paper.

The fitness center is for everybody. It is not just for athletes, but for the average person looking to stay in shape. Teams do not have a priority over any student or teacher. They can wait their turn just like everyone else.

I understand that reserving racks organizes team workouts in an often hectic fitness center and the importance for teams to prepare for their upcoming seasons. But, reserving lifting racks for teams won’t change the attendance of the student-athletes or their work ethic. It only makes it seem like they are slightly more important than those who do not compete for an athletic team.

So please, athletic department, get rid of those senseless white slips of laminated paper and free the racks. Let my friend go pump some iron whenever he wishes.