Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss., has installed $75,000 worth of SportsArt's ECO-POWR™ treadmills which the school won in the 2nd Annual SportsArt Campus Challenge Sweepstakes. The equipment converts human energy into utility-grade electricity and feeds power back into the grid with every workout.
Student Haley Cronin of Pearl River Community College was selected from three finalists as the Grand Prize winner. The Campus Challenge Sweepstakes invited college students across the country to share how they live greener on campus. Cronin also received a personal cash prize of $3,000, and SportsArt will donate $3,000 to the PRCC student organization of her choice.
The equipment has been installed in Pearl River's Wellness Center.
"We are beyond thrilled with our new SportsArt treadmills," said Tara Rouse, director of the Wellness Center at Pearl River. "These machines are truly next level. Not only do they offer a smooth, high-quality workout experience, but they also feed usable electricity back into the facility as you exercise. It's an incredible feeling to know that our fitness efforts are contributing to sustainability."
The summer installation has drawn positive attention from faculty and summer-session students.
"While summer is a bit quieter on campus, we can't wait for the fall semester when students return in full force," said Rouse. "We know they're going to love using these treadmills as much as we do."
According to Rouse, “The impact has already been felt across campus, especially in our Wellness Center, which now has a new energy and sense of excitement.”
SportsArt has nearly 50 years of design and manufacturing experience. The company offers the world's only line of energy-generating cardio equipment, ECO-POWR™, along with a full range of high-quality cardio, strength, and rehabilitation equipment for the fitness, university, medical and residential markets.
"The Campus Challenge is all about inspiring schools to accept the challenge and lead the way in sustainability and fitness," said Ruben Mejia, executive vice president of SportsArt. "By integrating ECO-POWR™ technology into their facility, Pearl River is enhancing the student experience and proving that even small institutions can make a big impact when it comes to green initiatives. We're proud to be part of their campus experience."
SportsArt's Campus Challenge will return for a third year in the fall. According to Mejia, it will include "expanded prize packages and a broader audience."
"We're deeply grateful to SportsArt for awarding this amazing prize package to our rural community college," Rouse said. "The impact has already been felt across campus, especially in our Wellness Center, which now has a new energy and sense of excitement."
