Grand Rapids, Mich. -- As Aquinas alumni and friends return to campus for Homecoming Week, one of the most visible signs of the institution's continued investment in its student-athletes can be found inside the Alksnis Athletics & Recreation Building.
The facility's well-used original track has been replaced with a new Mondo Super-X surface following an extensive renovation project supported by the Aquinas Cabinet, Board of Trustees and institution. The completed track provides a renewed foundation for practices, competition, fitness and community events inside one of the busiest athletic spaces on campus.
"The Alksnis Athletics and Recreation Building, including the track, serves a tremendous number of Aquinas College students and members of our community throughout the year," Aquinas President Sister Maureen Geary, O.P., said. "The new track allows us to continue to provide a very high-quality experience for fitness, practice and athletic competition. We are blessed to have this resource."
The facility opened on Oct. 20, 2014. The 70,000-square-foot Alksnis facility features a 200-meter NCAA-certified track, a turf infield and a portable court.
Although the Aquinas men's and women's track & field/cross country teams will experience the most direct benefit from the new surface, the building serves varsity programs, intramurals and community activities throughout the year.
Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby and golf are among the teams that use its practice areas. Its portable court and extensive curtaining system also allow basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance and other activities to share the facility.
An Investment in the Aquinas Experience
For Deputy Athletic Director Connor Leppink, the project represents responsible investment in a resource that must continue serving Aquinas and West Michigan well into the future.
"There is no question that this was a significant financial investment, and we are extremely grateful for the support of the Cabinet, Board of Trustees, and the College in making this project possible," Leppink said. "Alksnis is one of the most heavily used spaces on campus, and while Track & Field will certainly see the most direct impact from the new surface, this investment benefits all of our student-athletes, coaches and programs throughout Aquinas Athletics, as well as the West Michigan community."
Leppink said decisions involving an investment of this size must extend beyond the facility's immediate needs.
"We wanted to make sure we were investing in something that would continue to serve not only our student-athletes here at Aquinas, but the West Michigan community as well," Leppink said.
Built for the Saints Who Use It
The finished track followed months of planning, preparation and coordination. Aquinas Athletics Manager of Operations Mary Takas helped oversee the many details required to complete the project.
"This was a major project from an operations standpoint because we weren't simply putting down a new surface," Takas said. "There was a tremendous amount of planning, coordination and preparation involved to make sure the finished product was something our student-athletes and coaches could be proud of. To now walk into Alksnis and see the completed track is incredibly rewarding because you can immediately see how much it transforms the facility."
Takas describes Alksnis as one of the "workhorses of Aquinas Athletics." Improvements made within the building extend beyond one team because student-athletes from numerous programs move through the space for practices, training and other activities on any given day.
The transformation was especially meaningful for Aquinas cross country and track and field student-athlete Jayden Baker. The Saints spend countless hours training inside Alksnis, making the condition and performance of the surface an important part of their everyday experience.
"Seeing the track for the first time was definitely surreal," Baker said. "The old track was very well loved, so it was nice to see how amazing it turned out. The new surface feels smoother and more supportive, which will make such a big difference between workouts and competition."
Baker believes the renovation will help the Saints train with greater confidence while reducing some of the physical impact that comes with repeated workouts.
"The whole team is super excited," Baker said. "I think the new track will motivate us to work harder, keep improving and continue to build our amazing program."
The project's completion arrives at a fitting time. Homecoming Week will bring alumni, friends and supporters back to campus, with Friday's Wege Golf Outing and the 2026 Aquinas Athletics "Coach Bo" Hall of Fame Ceremony celebrating the people, relationships and traditions that helped build AQ Athletics.
Inside Alksnis, the new track offers a visible reminder that honoring the past also means caring for what previous generations worked to create.
From Nomads to an Amazing Home
Longtime Aquinas Athletic Director and baseball coach Terry "Coach Bo" Bocian remembers the transformation of the institution's athletic facilities unfolding piece by piece. Aquinas first installed turf on its athletic field, providing a dependable outdoor space that could seemingly be used around the clock by multiple programs.
The overhaul of the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center followed. Even after that project was completed, however, Bocian knew several programs remained "on the outside looking in."
Bocian compared the facility improvement process to distributing Christmas presents. Some programs received what they needed first, while others waited their turn as Aquinas continued working toward a larger vision.
As plans for Alksnis moved forward, coaches and student-athletes became, in Bocian's words, "nomads." They continually searched for places to practice and compete while waiting for a permanent indoor home.
It took many people working together, years of sacrifice and persistent advocacy to make Alksnis possible. When the facility finally opened in 2014, Bocian remembers the relief and elation felt throughout the athletic department.
"The process never stops," Bocian said. "We need to make sure we stay on top of the facilities to keep them sustainable. We have a lot of pride in what we've got, and that is important."
Honoring the Past, Moving Forward
That history gives the 2026 renovation additional meaning for Athletic Director Damon Bouwkamp. An Aquinas alumnus who has been connected to AQ Athletics for much of his life, Bouwkamp has watched the institution's facilities grow along with the opportunities available to its student-athletes.
"As an Aquinas alumnus and someone who has been connected to AQ Athletics for much of my life, there is a lot of pride in seeing how our facilities have continued to evolve," Bouwkamp said. "I remember where we started, I've watched Alksnis become such an important part of our athletic community, and now, as Athletic Director, I have the opportunity and responsibility to help make sure we continue moving forward."
For Bouwkamp, the new track is more than an improvement to a building. It protects an important part of Aquinas' athletic infrastructure while continuing the work begun by Coach Bo and others who pushed for opportunities that earlier generations of Saints did not have.
"We have a responsibility to take care of what they helped build while continuing to improve it for the student-athletes who are here today and those who will be Saints in the future," Bouwkamp said. "I think this project is a great example of honoring that legacy while continuing to move Aquinas Athletics forward."
Homecoming Weekend brings those chapters of Aquinas Athletics together. The Wege Golf Outing, the Hall of Fame celebration and the renovated track each reflect the generosity, relationships and shared commitment that continue to shape the Aquinas student-athlete experience.
"We are thrilled to welcome alumni, friends and our current Saints campus community to Homecoming and the 2026 Aquinas Athletics 'Coach Bo' Hall of Fame Ceremony this weekend," Sister Maureen said. "We hope you will be proud of all we continue to offer in the Aquinas experience, and we count on your support. Welcome Home, and spread the word!"
It's a great Homecoming week to be a Saint.
