TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
P leasant Grove has had a lot to be proud of under the direction of head coach, Josh Gibson, and many would say that the new athletic facility may just be the biggest achievement yet. It’s state-of-the-art in every way, but to Coach Gibson, the most important part is how the facility can serve the kids. “Probably one of the most important pieces is right when we walk in the door. In the foundation, there is a Bible that was placed here when they were pouring the slab. We put one here in the front and another one in the varsity locker room. They are here to remind us what our purpose is when we come in, and that is to grow people and grow them the right way. And to do it in a way that honors God,” remarked Coach Gibson. Downstairs, the focus was functionality for the sports medicine students and their teacher, Stephanie Bridges. “This is one of the largest training rooms in the state,” Coach Gibson noted, pointing to the specialty tables and chairs around the perimeter. “It has a variety of different styles of training tables to accommodate different types of care needed.” Along one side, the classroom is flanked by a glass wall, giving students and trainers an amazing view of the field from the north end zone where the facility is situated. In the center are movable tables that make it adaptable for collaborative learning and student-athlete care. Adjacent to the large classroom are several other spaces needed by student trainers. One is a storage area with a garage door that opens up straight to the field. Here, there are all the water systems and other equipment needed on Friday nights. Another room on this level of the facility holds a large hot tub that can be used for both hot and cold therapy. “We were going to have two regular stainless steel whirlpools, but then we found this online. It’s a hot tub that also goes down to 38 degrees and can be used for cold plunges as well as knee and ankle care,” said Coach Gibson. Walking across the hall from the Sports Medicine area is a room that has the students especially excited. “This was actually an afterthought. It was going to be a two-person office, but we didn’t
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LIFE & STYLE
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