UMD Athletic Director Josh Berlo and UMD Facilities Operations Manager Chris Stevens, were recently awarded UMD Disability Resources "Recognizing Access Award" for their leadership in recent enhancements to Romano Gymnasium (which underwent significant upgrades over the course of the last two years).  Recipients were recognized for creating meaningful access & inclusion at the University of Minnesota Duluth during the 2019-2020 academic year.  

"We are appreciative of the recognition from the UMD Office of Disability Resources for the more comfortable, accessible and inclusive seating in Romano Gymnasium.  Moreover, I wish to express our appreciation for all who received this honor in furtherance of enhanced accessibility on our campus. In many ways, Romano Gymnasium is a hub of activity at UMD," said UMD Athletic Director Josh Berlo.  "The renovations of this historic space, particularly the new seating, have had a tremendously positive impact on the campus and community.  This was a result of the great partnership between Bulldog Athletics, UMD Facilities Management, the University of Minnesota System, the Applied Human Sciences program in the College of Education and Human Service Professions, as well as Recreational Sports and the support of our private donors led by Bulldog Hall of Fame member, Dave Goldberg."

The Romano Gymnasium Project -- in partnership with the University of Minnesota Duluth, Recreational Sports and Outdoor Programs, the College of Education and Human Service Professions, UMD Athletics, and Facilities Management -- started in 2018 and has completed over $10 million in enhancements and upgrades to provide UMD students, student-athletes, the campus, and community a first-class facility for events and programming. The 2,759-seat facility has housed UMD men's basketball, women's basketball, and women's volleyball for more than a half-century.

"The renovation of Romano Gymnasium has been a great joy to me,"  said UMD Alumni, Hall of Fame member, and Bulldog Club Member Dave Goldberg, whose namesake is represented on the court.  "The upgraded use and accessibility have provided great benefits for our student-athletes and the community.  We can all be proud of the transformation." 

This space has also served as a key recreational facility for intramural clubs and other recreational programs as well as an education facility where future teachers and outdoor recreation professionals develop their skills and craft.  The name changed from the Physical Education Building to Romano Gymnasium in 1988 in honor of the late Ralph Romano, UMD's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics from 1969 to 1983.  

"The project was a successful partnership between Athletics and Facilities Management," said Chris Stevens, UMD Facilities Operations Manager.  "It couldn't have happened without the generous donations of our private donors and it was nice to be able to do the right thing, providing more accessible seating for all our customers who enjoy themselves at our many athletic and special events."  

Romano Gymnasium, the hub for Bulldog women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, academic and recreation space, as well as community programing has seen numerous upgrades over the past several years including:

• State of the art, Daktronics HD Videoboard: 14' x 20' Daktronics 6MM videoboard was installed at a cost of $300,000 -- enhancing the game day experience for both fans and student-athletes with game feeds, replays, campus features, and updated statistics
• The women's volleyball, and men's and women's basketball locker room renovations featuring first-class lockers and amenities
• New NCAA competition grade wood flooring
• Enhanced lower level seating with back support, aisle mounted hand rails and increased ADA capacity
• New high-end floor mounted basketball standards and volleyball equipment
• New climate control system -- including air conditioning and humidity control that will improve playing, teaching and patron conditions
• Additional theming and Bulldog points of pride were enhanced throughout the facility celebrating UMD's school colors, the Bulldog mascot and the three varsity program's history and traditions of excellence
• Improved LED lighting which reduced energy consumption: saving 33,420 kWh per year! (equal to reducing the electricity use from 3.5 homes annually)
• Reduced the carbon footprint of the building, saving 24 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year!  (equal to taking 5 passenger cars off the road for a year!)
• Reduced maintenance costs (including saving $2,600 annually on electric bills!)