EDUCATION
Life University breaks ground on new
athletic training center and field
By Hunter Riggall
hriggall@mdjonline.com
Life University has gotten started on a new, $4.3 million athletic
training center and field.
The new upper athletic field will be accompanied by a
14,000-square-foot athletic center with a wrestling practice
room, strength and conditioning space, locker rooms, offices
and athletic training space.
The field itself, which Life President Rob Scott said would
be “the finest athletic facility in the (National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics),” features artificial turf, a resurfaced
track and a video scoreboard. Life’s Running Eagle sports teams
participate in the NAIA, an association of small colleges and
universities with more than 200 schools.
“This is truly a special occasion, because it was literally over a
year ago when we had originally planned for this occasion, just
before we were thrust into a global pandemic,” Scott said at the
groundbreaking ceremony in June. “So, it’s extra special today
to celebrate both our transition from a global pandemic, and
the diligence and the amazing hard work and commitment of
the Life community … there’s no better symbolism to mark the
thriving of Life University, than to erect a new building on our
campus site.”
The field was slated for completion by August 2021, and the
other improvements should be completed by June of 2022.
Scott touted Life’s athletic achievements in the 2020-21 school
year, including five national, individual or team championships
and six runners-up. He also praised the chiropractic university’s
550 student athletes for their off-the-field activities, saying that
310 were on the academic honor roll with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
“For all the students that are out there, I want to go ahead and give
you the challenge,” said Kevin Fogarty, chairman of Life’s Board of
Trustees, asking which of them would “step up to the plate” to fill the
shoes of today’s leaders to change things for the better.
140 FACTBOOK | 2022
Hunter Riggall
From left, Life University co-founder Chuck Ribley, Marietta
Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson, Life Board of Trustees Chairman
Kevin Fogarty, Life President Rob Scott, Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin
and Board of Trustees member Jay Handt at the ground-breaking
ceremony for a new, $4.3 million athletic training center and field.
Life’s athletic facilities also play host to professional rugby
team Rugby ATL and semi-pro women’s soccer team the Atlanta
Panthers. The enhanced facilities, Scott said, will bring more
visitors and economic activity to Life and Marietta.
The university’s cross total economic output has been more
than $230 million, Scott said, adding that it has created more
than 1,300 jobs in Cobb County.
“We’re very, very thankful that you were part of this with
us, as we break ground moving Life University to the future,
in providing a great facility for future champions,” Scott told
the crowd.
Life University / Special to the MDJ
A rendering of the “REP” (Running Eagles Performance) Center that Life
University plans to begin constructing in October.
Life University
1269 Barclay Circle
Marietta, GA 30060
770-426-2600 — www.life.edu
Number of students: 2,814 (fall 2020): 939 Undergraduate;
187 Graduate; 1,670 Chiropractic; 18 Non-Degree Seeking
Annual undergraduate tuition: $12,420
Annual graduate tuition: $8,532
Annual chiropractic tuition: $29,625
Most popular programs and departments: Doctor of Chiropractic,
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Bachelor of Science in Biology,
Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Psychology,
Master of Science in Positive Psychology
/www.life.edu
link