PJCS Endzone Expansion Football Facility

Planet Fitness Donates $3 Million to Expansion of Howard Schellenberger Football Complex

Mark BlankenbakerSeptember 26, 2013

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville today announced that the local Planet Fitness franchise, whose principals include Rick and David Kueber, has committed $3 million toward construction and support for the expansion of the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex. This gift is in addition to the $3 million committed to U of L in 2008 by the Kueber brothers through their Sun Tan City business, bringing their total support to the University to $6 million.

Located in the football complex, the U of L weight training facility includes aesthetic appeal with large glass windows overlooking the Cardinal practice fields. U of L’s weight room includes 10,500 square feet of floor space. With the new gift in place, the plan is to expand the weight facility to almost double its current size and give the players more room to train during their conditioning periods.

“We are very thankful for the gift from the Kuebers and their Planet Fitness business,” said U of L Vice President/Director of Athletics. “The Kuebers have been great contributors to the university and I’m so appreciative of everything they have done through the years to benefit our department. This gift enables us to continue to build this football program and give our student-athletes the best opportunity to be successful.”

The training area in the Complex is currently almost 3,000 square feet, but will also double in size, which will also include a new hydrotherapy room as one of the main components of the expansion.

“I’m extremely grateful to receive this major gift from the Kueber Family and their Planet Fitness franchise,” head coach Charlie Strong said. “This major commitment allows us to make our facilities even better as we look to continue to build this program. This is the next step in allowing us to compete at the highest level and I am very thankful for their generosity.”

Built in 1998, the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex houses every aspect of the Cardinals’ football program. The Cardinals’ academic services, weight room, training room and equipment areas are all located in the Complex. As part of the partnership, Coach Strong will endorse the Planet Fitness brand in the Louisville area.

“As an owner, I am incredibly proud to partner with Louisville Athletics on this new project. And as a University of Louisville fan, I am excited to see how this new facility will help continue the growth and prominence of the athletic program,” Rick Kueber said. “Coach Strong is a great representation of the Planet Fitness brand because of his commitment to a healthy, fit lifestyle and we are thrilled to have him on board with us.”

“This gift is a sign of our commitment to the University of Louisville and its athletic programs,” co-owner David Kueber said. “Just as the university is always looking for exceptional talent to bring into the program, we are always looking for exceptional companies and products to bring to this market and that’s what we’ve set out to do with our Planet Fitness business. We’re excited to have Coach Strong help us introduce the brand to the market especially since his commitment to fitness and well-being is an example we can all follow.”

About Planet Fitness: In the United States, over 6 million Planet Fitness members have embraced the company’s Judgment Free Zone® philosophy. Locally, Rick and David Kueber have development rights for a total of 11 Louisville-area locations including New Albany and Elizabethtown as well as additional rights to another 45 locations in other markets.

Planet Fitness customers enjoy stylish, clean facilities equipped with name-brand cardio and strength machines, as well as a relaxed, Judgment Free Zone® atmosphere. Enforcement of the “Judgment Free Zone” prohibits grunting and dropping weights so their main clientele—first-time and occasional gym users—can feel comfortable working out. The philosophy transcends everything at Planet Fitness, including details such as the “Lunk Alarm,” an actual beacon light and siren intended to deter members from the hard-core, look-at-me behavior found in too many gyms.