Skidmore's McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center opens
Skidmore College has completed construction on its new McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, which is now open to all Skidmore community members and brings together all aspects of student health and wellness support in a single, unified space.
The facility, which officially opened its doors at the beginning of spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 21, offers a comprehensive range of services, including medical care; mental health and counseling; health promotion and education; physical fitness; and wellness for the mind, body, and spirit under a single roof.
A health and wellness hub
Built alongside the existing Williamson Sports Center, McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center features spacious cardio and weight rooms with a range of modern equipment, flexible meeting areas for wellness classes, and four indoor tennis courts.
The center is also the new home of Skidmore鈥檚 Health Services, Counseling Center, and Department of Health Promotion, which together follow an integrated care approach to support students鈥� health and well-being. The offices previously were located in spaces across campus.
In addition to new outdoor tennis courts that were completed in 2023, new locker rooms and team meeting rooms enhance the experience of Skidmore鈥檚 student-athletes.
The project was supported by a lead gift from Kim Wachenheim Wagman 鈥�88 P鈥�15 and Amy Wachenheim McCaffery 鈥�01 and their families.
New cardio equipment available to all Skidmore community members in McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center
鈥淭his extraordinary milestone, made possible by a transformative gift from the McCaffery-Wagman-Wachenheim families, embodies Skidmore鈥檚 deep commitment to holistic health and wellness for our entire community,鈥� said President Marc C. Conner. 鈥淭his long-awaited project reflects Skidmore鈥檚 commitment to the well-being of our campus community, a dynamic residential experience for our students, and sustainability.鈥�
The project will be the second LEED-certified building on campus alongside the Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences, whose final phase was completed in 2024. Both stand as a testament to Skidmore's continuing dedication to environmental stewardship and every aspect of students鈥� growth and well-being.
鈥淭his project presents a comprehensive vision of student health and wellness,鈥� explained Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Adrian Bautista. 鈥淚t brings Skidmore鈥檚 physical and mental health resources together, opens doors for all Skidmore community members to pursue athletics and fitness, and creates a welcoming place for everyone seeking to enhance their health and wellness.鈥�
Indoor tennis courts and other facilities enhance the experience of student-athletes and the broader Skidmore community.
Enhanced facilities for the entire community
The facility combines state-of-the-art equipment, including free weights and cardio, with dedicated spaces for exercise and wellness programming such as yoga, meditation, group fitness, martial arts, and spin.
鈥淲e are beyond excited that the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center is opening to students. As a former student-athlete, I truly understand the importance of having access to top-notch resources and facilities that support both academic and athletic growth,鈥� said Trustee Kim Wachenheim Wagman 鈥�88 P鈥�15.
The center supports all students by providing a dedicated space promoting both physical and mental health and fostering overall well-being for the whole community. It is Skidmore鈥檚 commitment to care for every aspect of a student鈥檚 life that makes Skidmore one of the most special colleges in the nation.Kim Wachenheim Wagman 鈥�88 P鈥�15Skidmore College Trustee
An NCAA-caliber tennis complex 鈥� with both indoor and outdoor courts 鈥� is a major dimension of the project. Its eight lighted outdoor tennis courts opened in fall 2023.
Foundational support for the new outdoor courts was made possible by a gift from Susan Kettering Williamson 鈥�59, for whom Skidmore's Williamson Sports Center is named.
The waiting area in the Office of Health Promotion's Student Wellness Center, a student-staffed space where students can seek support and resources from trained peer health educators about a range of health topics.
Liz Drabek 鈥�26 described how McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center also benefits the work of peer health educators 鈥� students who encourage healthy choices and lifestyles as they educate on a range of topics.
鈥淗aving a fresh, prominent space within McCaffery-Wagman will make our program more visible and help us reach a larger audience around campus, making our work as peer health educators ever more impactful and meaningful,鈥� the education studies and history double major said. 鈥淲e believe that moving into a more unified space will increase student engagement and further encourage a healthy and inclusive environment on campus.鈥�
