Cross Country has a long history at Kalamazoo College. The men’s program began in 1919, predating the start of MIAA-sanctioned competition in 1922. The women’s program began in 1982.
Throughout that time, the teams have not had a dedicated locker room space to call their own.
Since joining K in 2019, head coach Kyle Morrison has recognized the importance of having spaces for the teams to connect, bond, and share in their training and competition experiences. Alison Hankins ’25 echoed this sentiment, saying, “a locker room is a place for our team to create a culture of success. A space that our team can come together as a collective and be one. This locker room gives our team a place to mentally prepare for workouts and more.”
The opportunity to renovate existing locker rooms in Anderson Athletic Center provides both teams with much-needed space to call home. Planning is underway to convert current “general-use” locker room areas to dedicated men’s and women’s cross country team areas.
In addition to enhancing the experience of current student-athletes, the upgraded locker rooms will assist in recruiting efforts by signaling to prospective students that their sport is respected and valued on campus.
To complete this renovation project, we need your help! The project will take resources above and beyond what is available from the general cross country operating budget.
Join our efforts to raise $25,000 by making a one-time gift or multi-year commitment to Hornet Athletics Men’s or Women’s Cross Country. Your gift or commitment received by September 1, 2023, will support these much-needed locker room renovations. Gifts raised in excess of project costs will support the teams’ program and operating needs.
Locker Naming Opportunities Available! Gifts and commitments of $1,250 or more will be recognized with a plaque on a locker in the newly renovated space for Men’s or Women’s Cross Country. Contact Lindsay O’Donohue for more details.
To make an immediate gift, visit kzoo.edu/onlinegiving and select the Men’s or Women’s Cross Country designation under Hornet Athletics. Please indicate “XC locker room” in the gift instructions field.
For more information, please contact Lindsay O’Donohue, Senior Director of Constituent Programs and Annual Giving at Lindsay.odonohue@kzoo.edu.
Plaque Formatting Examples
Jane (Thompson) Smith ’00
Jane T. Smith ’00
Women’s Cross Country 1996-2000
Susan Johnson Jones ’90
& Steve Jones ’91
John & Rebecca Jackson
Go Hornets!
The Jones Family
in honor of Emily Jones ’22
In memory of
Susan J. Jones ’90
Submissions will be reviewed and approved prior to production.
What our Hornets have to say
Paige Anderson ’25
“Improved locker rooms would mean so much for our team! Despite our love for our sport, we realize that cross country is not super popular. From having no lockers, to a DIY locker room, to an authentic space that we can call our own, we are grateful to have the support of our school and alumni!”
Levi Thomas ’25
“Having a renovated locker room gives our team space to be proud of and call our own. It will be instrumental for our team chemistry going forward as a place to represent and foster our culture.”
Keegan Reynolds ’25
“We’ve come an exceptionally long way as a program who originally had no defined space on campus, and the new locker rooms will provide our team an improved space to enhance our program’s comradery and identity.”
Alison Hankins ’25
“A finished locker room is a place for our team to create a culture of success. A space that our team can come together as a collective and be one. A finished locker room gives our team a place to mentally prepare for workouts and more.”