CAT TRAX: WORTH THE WEIGHT

By: Dan Morse (UNH Athletic Media Relations)
DURHAM, N.H. – Over the summer, the University of New Hampshire athletic department made vast improvements and expansions to the Jerry Azumah Performance Center.

The massive workout facility, which was originally 4,000 square feet, grew to over 6,000 square feet in size.  The performance center now comes equipped with 15,000 pounds of Iron Grip weights, 7,000 pounds of Iron Grip dumbbells and 5,000 pounds of Olympic Weights.  Along with the weights, there are now 18 Powerlift Platform Stations, 12 Hammer Strength Machines, eight reverse hyper/glutham machines, eight adjustable benches, six spinners and two pillar systems.  With all of these new additions, the Jerry Azumah Performance Center has nearly doubled its amount of workout equipment, providing UNH athletes with not only more room to workout and train, but more equipment to train with. 

Jerry Azumah graduated from UNH in 1999, and had smashed four NCAA Division I-AA career records, not to mention was the recipient of the Walter Payton Award in 1998 for his performance as the nation’s top offensive player.  He later went on to be drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft.  When he was 25 years old, Azumah became the youngest UNH alum to give a gift of over $100,000 when he funded the Jerry Azumah Performance Center.  Azumah holds numerous University records, including rushing touchdowns (60), and touchdowns overall (69), not to mention Division I-AA records for rushing yards (6,193), and all purpose yards (8,376).  Azumah retired from the NFL in 2006, but continues to keep in touch with his alma mater and is always looking for ways to help.

The Jerry Azumah Performance Center is located in the University of New Hampshire Field House and is designated for the UNH athletic teams and athletes. The strength and conditioning coach for the Wildcats is Paul Chapman.