In this Leadership Viewpoint, Troy Sherrard, the Sports and Recreation Practice Leader at Moody Nolan, shares insights from over 30 years of designing campus recreation and wellness facilities.
He breaks down today’s biggest challenges for campus recreation centers — from underfunded, overcrowded legacy buildings to rising expectations for wellness, social spaces and flexible programming. He explains how rec professionals can navigate tensions between student use and campus events, and why flexibility, adaptability, and clear priorities are critical in both renovations and new construction.
Sherrard also spotlights innovative projects at Michigan State University and the University of Pittsburgh, including biophilic design, outdoor-connected interiors, healthy dining and counseling spaces — all creating a true “third place” on campus.
He closes with practical advice for campus rec directors: start with the “why,” design for change, make amenities visible and discoverable, and use facilities to tell your institution’s student health and wellness story.
