Since 1989, the Bemidji State University football team made its home in a 1,200-square-foot locker room tucked away in the underbelly of the physical education complex. The space served its purpose, but with a layout broken up by banks of 142 metal lockers the coaches were unable to make other use of the space.
The need for a renovated locker room has been on the top of BSU Head Coach Jeff Tesch’s mind for quite some time. Several plans have been started, but none ever gained traction until summer 2012. Tesch, along with BSU Vice President for Finance and Administration Bill Maki, hatched an idea that would tap the skills, equipment and manpower of the carpentry program at sister institution Northwest Technical College.
The NTC carpentry program, under the direction of instructor Tony Schouten, tackled the project head on. Members of Schouten’s commercial design course kicked the renovation off by designing the wooden lockers, then NTC’s cabinetry class took that design and built 123 wood lockers that were installed by the BSU Physical Plant staff.
With the help of dedicated alumni the football locker room is now complete with a sound system, two flat screen TVs, leather couches and carpet that includes the BSU Beaver logo.
Photo and video courtesy of Bob Smith, Image Photography
Bemidji State Football 