News

ODA Unveils Fox Field House

The entire Uihlein Campus student body, faculty, parents, and trustees assembled on the first day of classes in 2019 to cut the ribbon on the new Fox Field House. Everyone in attendance was wowed by the expansive 12,300 square foot addition to our Thunder Athletic Complex. Click here for photo gallery. Click here for an article from The Observer. Click here for Video.
The event kicked off with remarks from Head of School David Mahler who emphasized the importance of the new facility. “The Fox Field House will be an amazing addition to the Uihlein Campus,” said Mr. Mahler. “It will dramatically improve the practice facilities for all of our indoor sports and its multi-purpose design will also provide indoor options for practice for our field sports during inclement weather. It will enable us to run practice schedules much earlier so that our student-athletes can return home for dinner with their families and complete their school work at a reasonable hour.”

The Fox Family - Mr. Larry Fox, President of ODA’s Board of Trustees, Mrs. Jennifer Fox, Zach Fox ‘23, and Sami Fox ‘26 cut the ribbon to officially open the facility. The family led the eager crowd of students and faculty into the building for their first look at the new practice space. Larry Fox explained the importance and need for a new facility to accommodate the growth of Out-of-Door’s athletic program. Previously, practices had to be staggered for various teams, which resulted in late nights on campus for many student-athletes. With ODA’s student-centered philosophy in mind, a new facility needed to be created to get students home earlier in the evening. The Fox Family’s lead gift of $1 million made the building a reality. Construction began in June and with gifts from other generous donors, the $2.5 million facility opened this week.

As students took in the new space, Zach Fox stepped to the line to shoot the inaugural free throw. The crowd went wild as the ball christened the net before the Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball teams had a free throw showdown. To end the celebration, everyone in attendance commemorated the opening of Fox Field House with a celebratory ball toss to the chorus of “Go Thunder.”

The new building is now home to ODA’s volleyball and basketball teams and features multi-purpose flooring to accommodate football, cheerleading, soccer, lacrosse, and tennis practices during inclement weather conditions or extreme heat. Check out this video from the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and the album of photos on Facebook.
Back

The Out-of-Door Academy

LOWER SCHOOL |  Historic Siesta Key Campus  |  Pre-K – Grade 5
444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242  |  941-349-3223  |  Fax: 941-349-8133

LOWER SCHOOL |  Lower School Campus on Clark Road  |  Pre-K – Grade 1
11011 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241   |  COMING SOON

MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLS
  |  Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch  |  Grades 6 – 8 |  Grades 9 – 12
5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, FL 34240  |  941-349-3223  |  Fax: 941-907-1251
The Out-of-Door Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, physical ability, religion, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
The Out-of-Door Academy is an equal opportunity employer.

© 2023 The Out-of-Door Academy