AMHERST, Mass. – Massachusetts Athletics and OOFOS, the global leader in Active Recovery footwear, are pleased to announce a partnership that will create a one-of-a-kind recovery center in the renovated Jim and Ellen Hunt Indoor Performance Center to benefit members of the cross country and track and field programs.
“We are eager to partner with OOFOS on this one-of-a-kind recovery center to assist with the performance, rehabilitation and overall health of our cross country and track and field student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford. “The design of the space will be a collaborative effort between our coaching and sports performance staff, our sports medicine unit and OOFOS. We are incredibly grateful to OOFOS for their generous offer to underwrite the cost of the project, which will be a tremendous value-add to our fully renovated performance center.”
The two-level performance center will be managed exclusively by the athletics department and will feature a grand lobby and entrance area that will honor the history of the programs and offer an inviting area for student-athletes, alumni/ae and recruits. The lower practice level will be covered with a track-specific surface and offer space for jumping and throwing events, along with a sprint straight-away.
The second level will feature a practice track along with space for non-impact training, and the OOFOS Recovery Center. The recovery center will include state of the art recovery tools, such as massage rollers, massage guns, leg recovery systems, an anti-gravity treadmill, elliptical trainers, a nutritious fueling station and OOFOS Active Recovery footwear. OOFOS impact absorbing footwear will also be provided for all athletes and staff to wear throughout the space, so they can start to enhance the recovery process the moment their training ends.
“At OOFOS, our mission is to make people feel better. We are excited to partner with UMass to create a recovery center that will provide an innovative space for athletes to maximize their recovery process so they can perform at their best,” said Lou Panaccione, CEO and co-founder of OOFOS. “Our hope is that this revolutionary project will create a blueprint for future OOFOS recovery centers.”
Lou Panaccione is a 1979 graduate and was a member of the cross country and track and field programs during his time at UMass.
“We are thrilled to partner with OOFOS and Lou on this project,” said women’s cross country and track and field head coach Christine Engel. “Our student-athletes are very familiar with the OOFOS brand and currently utilize the Active Recovery footwear. This space takes that partnership even further and will provide additional resources to recover from workouts and prepare for competition. It will add tremendous value in our newly renovated performance center.”
Designed with proprietary OOfoam ™ technology, OOFOS absorb impact so your body doesn’t have to. Combined with a patented footbed design, OOFOS cradle the heel and arches for the optimal combination of soft and stable support. OOfoam™ technology is proven to absorb 37% more impact than traditional foam materials, decrease load rates up to 88% and reduce energy exertion on the ankles by as much as 47% - all of this reducing load and stress, so you can recover faster.* The full line of OOFOS has received the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance.
For more information about the Jim and Ellen Hunt Cross Country and Track & Field Indoor Performance Center, please visit the project website: theminutemenclub.com/performance-center
