Dream With Us: A Case Study on Northern State University Lockers

In 2017, a $50 million dollar campus and community project began with a dream. A dream that included three major projects and one goal to transform the educational footprint of Northern State University and the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired with state-of-the-art facilities.

Dacotah Bank Stadium and Koehler Hall of Fame Softball Fields courtesy of Northern State University

According to Justin Fraase, VP for Enrollment and Marketing at Northern State University, "The Educational Impact Campaign (EIC) originally launched in 2017 as a $45 million campaign aimed at building a new S.D. School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Athletic and Recreation Fields for football practice and soccer competition, and an on-campus sports complex for football and softball. We recently wrapped up the EIC, which successfully raised more than $60 million! We also raised more than $5 million in additional student scholarships during this time. The overall goal of this campaign, along with numerous other on-campus facilities, was to overhaul the on-campus experience for our students, fans, alumni and the community."

South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired courtesy of Northern State University

Commitment & Support

A project of this magnitude could not be launched without commitment and support from multiple stakeholders at the university, community, and alumni. "Over the past 10 years, our alumni, supporters and community have raised $150 million for Northern State University. That is an unheard of figure when comparing other regional comprehensive institutions like Northern. In addition to dollars, our fans and community give their time and resources, routinely attending athletic and fine arts events. We owe so much to our community and supporters; we cannot thank them enough!" added Fraase.

NSU Athletic Fields courtesy of Northern State University

Regional Sports Complex

One major component of the campaign included the construction of an on-campus regional sports complex that will serve as a hub of activity for campus and community events. The complex is the home to NSU football, softball, intramural and club sports, health and physical education classes, community events, regional high school events, youth camps and clinics, the Marching Wolves, and other various events. 

As a part of the Regional Sports Complex, Dacotah Bank Stadium is the shining jewel that completes the campus and enables the Wolves sports teams to practice and compete right on campus. Terri Holmes, Associate Director of Athletics at NSU takes us through the specifics of designing and furnishing the new locker room space in the stadium. 

Q & A with Terri Holmes | Associate Director of Athletics at Northern State University

NSU custom lockers courtesy of Northern State University

The Project

The Northern State Wolves were tasked with creating a new team room as a part of the Dacotah Bank Stadium project. They purchased 120 custom pedestal side wooden lockers with lockable cubby storage, acrylic divider panels for added privacy, a stainless steel ventilation system, and custom branding with decals, name plates, and donor plates.

Q: What challenges did your locker room present before you purchased your Athletic Edge lockers?

A: Our previous facility was too small for 100+ football players, and the odor from the football pads.

Q: What were your most important locker needs?

A: Size for our equipment, and the fans within the lockers to draw out the odor, and the ability to lock up valuables.

The NSU lockers were designed to integrate with the locker room's HVAC system. The return air for the entire room is routed through vents in the locker room at strategic locations. The odorous locker room air is treated by the building's air handler and fresh air is pumped back into the room. This system is designed to help eliminate odors that are typically found in heavily used athletic locker areas. In addition, the athlete's gear and clothing are able to dry faster by actively routing air through the lockers and over/around the clothing.

NSU Locker room courtesy of Northern State University

Q: How well do your new lockers meet the needs of your student athletes, athletic trainers, coaches, and staff?

A: They are first class, and the players love them. They are everything that we wanted and more.

Q: What are some of your features of your new Athletic Edge lockers, and why did you select them? 

A:  Everything! The different areas so that the players can divide up their equipment, and the area to secure their valuables, and the ventilation system.

Q: Why did you decide to work with The Athletic Edge?

A: Quality of work, getting the project done in the time they indicated, and the finished product.

Q: Would you recommend The Athletic Edge to others?

A: Absolutely!