Dedicating The Renovated Knox Athletic Performance Center

During the past two years, the Knox Athletic Performance Center has gone through extensive renovating and expansion due to a small contained fire that occurred in the space two years ago. Thanks to the many generous donors who invested in this project, the now newly expanded and renovated state-of-the-art performance center and the upgraded Wellstar | PT Solutions Athletic Training Facility are open and running smoothly and efficiently. This past August, Mount Paran Christian School hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Among many donors and sponsors being honored, special recognition was bestowed upon the Knox family and Wellstar | PT Solutions.

Named after the Knox family for their monumental support of the initial construction and renovation, Jack and Barbara Knox have been known and recognized in the MPCS community for more than 20 years due to their continuous generosity and faithful service to the school. Having raised three MPCS alumni children of their own, Jack and Barbara have supported numerous undertakings including Bible studies, philanthropy, organizational leadership, and much more. 

Wellstar | PT Solutions has been an integral part of the MPCS athletic program since 2011. They have continuously supported Eagle Backers, the MPC athletic booster club, and have provided a full-time athletic trainer for sporting events as well as team lead for the sports medicine program offered to high school students. Dale Yake, PT Solutions founder and Chief Executive Officer shared, "This athletic training facility serves as an extension of the classroom to promote growth and rehabilitation learning starting at a young age." Now in partnership with Wellstar, the facility was expanded with top-of-the-line physical therapy equipment meant to provide the best care to MPC student-athletes. 

Kicking off the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Matthew Kerlin, MPCS Head of School, began with remarks pertaining to the history of the building followed by gratitude and recognition of the partners, donors, and employees who took part in the financial, physical, and operational support of the rebuild. Upon cutting two different grand opening ribbons, one to the main entrance of the performance center and the other to the training facility, donors and attendees were presented with two plaques commemorating their sponsorship and dedication to the newly-renovated MPCS athletic facilities. 

After being prayed over by Assistant Head of School for Christian Life, Mr. Steve Kyle, the 13-time State Champion MPC competition cheerleading squad presented a routine to show off the spaciousness of the main turf room in the Knox Athletic Performance Center. Shelley Ray, MPC varsity cheer coach and fitness instructor stated, “For our cheerleaders, having our own space in the Knox allows us not to feel as if we are impeding training areas for other athletes. We can now watch film of our routines and make adjustments right away in formations due to the upgraded technology the Knox offers us.” 

Other space improvements include enhanced technology in the weight room, turf room, and training room as well as spacious storage for equipment for MPC’s 17 sports with a new laundering area. New athletic turf for strength and agility training was added in addition to tripling the size of the athletic training facility to accommodate more athletes to meet after-school demand.

In the Wellstar | PT Solutions Athletic Training Facility, sports medicine students demonstrated what they have learned on their athletic training team by treating MPC athletes who are monitored through physical therapy and game rehabilitation. A student also demonstrated use of the exercise equipment and ice bath. Following the presentation, guests were then welcome to take a self-guided tour of the facility at their own pace while enjoying provided refreshments. 

MPCS Athletic Director, Mike Walker shared, "The renovation of the Knox is a huge part of executing the mission of MPC athletics for years to come. We are eternally grateful to the families, supporters, and partners who made this vision possible and set our program apart from others in the state."