In a famous passage, the Roman poet Juvenal wrote about "a sound mind in a sound body." Students at the University of South Florida Polytechnic now have the means to develop not only a sound mind but also a sound body, thanks to a new partnership between the school's Student Government Association and the Lakeland Family YMCA.

Beginning June 1, all students who have USF Poly designated as their home campus have free access to the YMCA at 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland.  This includes use of the fitness center, basketball and racquetball courts, swimming pool, cardio machines and aerobics classes.

Dr. Jan Lloyd, USFP dean of students, says students have been asking for a fitness option for several years.

"We've tried several attempts but because of a lack of facility space we could never bring it to fruition," she says. "Now we're excited about the collaboration between USFP and YMCA to provide this option to our students. SGA has provided the funding using the Activity & Service Fees. College is more than an academic experience, and we want to provide opportunities for students to grow and develop personally, socially, and in a healthy way. As our enrollment continues to grow, we plan to expand our programs and services to fit our changing student population."

USFP students Adriana Santiago, Emily Brown, Jamie Nance, Amanda Paige-Morris and Deonte Cooper (from left).

According to Leonard Speed, executive director, Lakeland Family YMCA, "The agreement between USF Polytechnic and the Lakeland YMCA is an incredible win-win. This opportunity allows the YMCA to extend its services to a broader segment of our community while allowing the university to extend a fitness option and benefit to its students.  USF Polytechnic students will find an inviting facility with great amenities and an accommodating staff. For example, our Wellness staff can assist each student with personal fitness goals and healthy lifestyle options.  Our pools, which are heated year-round, provide lap lanes and open swim areas during the scheduled ‘free-swim.' We also offer four indoor racquetball courts that will support the most avid racquetball player.  Group fitness classes range from high energy that will make you break a sweat to a relaxing T'ai Chi class.  Most important, students should expect to find a clean facility and be greeted and served by friendly YMCA staff. I look forward to an incredible relationship with USF Polytechnic."

USFP student Emily Brown works out at the YMCA.

SGA President Brandon Pickard also anticipates a great relationship with the YMCA: "Throughout the time that I have been part of SGA, we have always had students asking for some sort of fitness option here on campus.  After several attempts at trying to get something here on the campus itself, we looked at the next best option, and that was to have something available off campus for students. We decided on the YMCA since it is close to campus and has a lot to offer.  SGA is proud to sponsor this agreement because we are always looking for ways to give back and to meet the needs of the students."

For more information on the Lakeland Family YMCA visit http://ymcawcf.org/south-lakeland/