On Thursday, Nov. 7, the University of West Florida (UWF) unveiled an expansion of the Darrell Gooden Center with the opening of the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center. The state-of-the-art facility, made possible in part by a $600,000 donation from local business leader Sandy Sansing, spans 10,000 square feet. It will support student-athletes and workers, while also offering hands-on learning opportunities for movement sciences students.
The center includes several new spaces where athletes can warm up, cool down, and receive physical therapy and restorative care. The facility is expected to enhance the university’s athletic programs and provide students with valuable experience in a modern, professional setting.
Darrell Gooden, the namesake and donor of the Darrell Gooden Center, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to admire the new facility.
The event featured remarks from several key partners, including representatives from the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Baptist Health Care. Sansing and UWF President Saunders also spoke, emphasizing their excitement about the center’s potential for UWF’s future.
“As a UWF graduate and a former student-athlete, I am thrilled to help make this facility a reality for current and future Argonauts,” Sansing said. “Supporting our university and athletic program, and helping them grow with state-of-the-art facilities, is something my family and I are excited about. We hope this new center will promote the health and wellness of future Argos and continue to build champions for life.”
“This facility is a testament to UWF’s commitment to providing student-athletes with the best resources to support their academic and athletic pursuits,” said Dr. Saunders. “I want to thank the Sansing family and all our generous donors for making this possible. This facility will be a source of pride for both the University and the community for years to come.”
