College of the Sequoias locker project: a next level experience

The College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA recently renovated their football locker room. Originally constructed in 1963, the facility was in need of an update when the college embarked on the project. What happened next is truly a next-level transformation. 

Photo courtesy of College of the Sequoias Athletics

The Project

According to Byron Woods, Dean of Facilities, "The scope of work included a complete renovation of the existing 1960's locker room. The original layout included islands of metal lockers with an open shower area. Adjacent to the locker room were two equipment storage rooms. Over the span of eight months, we removed and replaced the existing concrete slab in the locker area, floated walls, added a drop ceiling with LED lighting, and created a modern team room layout that maximizes the quantity of lockers and promotes a communal atmosphere. The remodeled locker room has provided our athletes and coaches with a Division-1 quality space that reflects the culture and core values of COS Football."

Before photo courtesy of College of the Sequoias Athletics

Upgraded Lockers Create a New Experience

As part of the locker room remodel, the College of the Sequoias purchased 82 recessed side, maple wood lockers to refresh their team room. According to Woods, "Our goal was to provide the athletes with a sizable locker that also maximized the quantity of lockers in the room. We also wanted to push the boundaries with the design elements – from the custom debossed Sequoia tree in the back pad, to the electrical/USB charging ports inside the secure box, to the shoulder pad/helmet racks above, and the ventilated storage below. These custom design elements are what appeal to incoming recruits."

Football lockers with helmet/shoulder pad rack and debossed logo.

"I am very impressed with the quality and craftsmanship of the locker itself. The high-pressure laminate wood and vinyl padding seem very durable. I also really like the color combination and how we incorporated our college’s school colors," added Woods.

The addition of new lockers was an asset to better serve both the student-athletes and coaches. "These lockers were the highlight of the project. When someone walks in to the locker room, their eyes are immediately drawn to the lockers. I think the quality of the locker itself shows our athletes and coaches just how much the District values their commitment to our institution. We want them to be successful, both on and off the field, and we recognize the vital role that facilities play in that process," explained Woods.

Photo courtesy of College of the Sequoias Athletics

The new football lockers featured a recessed side design constructed of durable maple wood with padded seats, custom branding, and a helmet/shoulder pad rack for each locker. "Some of our most important training room needs included the ability to maximize the quantity of lockers, provide a central gathering area with whiteboard and video display, create an engaging historical recognition of 4-year transfers, build a private coaches’ lounge, and complete a redesign of equipment storage room to improve flow/function and maximize storage needs, and add lots of graphics to reflect COS culture and core values."

Photo courtesy of College of the Sequoias Athletics

A Positive Partnership

The Giants partnered with The Athletic Edge for their locker room renovation and chose to work with AE because, "Besides providing a high-quality end product, I really appreciate how easy the entire design and installation process was. The AE team was always open to new ideas and fully supported our desire to make our lockers stand out from the rest," added Woods.