Taariq Norbert, a junior business major at Langston University, has been passionate about basketball since the fifth grade. Growing up, the sport became his escape, a way out of his environment, and over the years, he truly fell in love with the game. Now, he’s setting his sights on trying out for the Langston basketball team.
Norbert often plays with friends and current team members, who have encouraged him to take the next step. Practicing in the big gym has been a game-changer for him—better spacing, great conditioning, and a superior floor with better grip. While the multi-purpose gym is a good facility, it gets too hot, and the slippery court makes it difficult to play for long periods.
Many buildings on campus, including the gym and multi-purpose facility, are experiencing issues such as plumbing problems, HVAC malfunctions, and general wear and tears that have not been adequately addressed. Students have reported leaks, broken equipment, and inconsistent heating and cooling, making it difficult to fully utilize campus resources.
The winter and the summer both produce different maintenance issues and while they are both unique. Eric Harris Sr. (Rev) is the facilities and recreation coordinator for Langston University, and he has been fighting to solve the continuing issues that the multi faces.
Over the winter break there was a leak in the roof that trickled down and caused the floor next his office to buckle up; anyone going to the gym is advised to be careful when walking in that area at the moment. The heat and air conditioning have been an ongoing issue for two years now, he says, “to be honest with you, we’ve been using a fan in the summer and heaters in the winter.”
As far as improvements go, Rev spoke with four different floor companies, “…we’re trying to get a whole new gym floor, brand new…so we got four different quotes. That’s going to take place over summer… and when they[students] come back in august, we’ll have a brand- new floor.” There aren’t any updates about the ceiling leak or the AC and heat.
Norbert believes some improvements could benefit all athletes, including waxing the floor, extending operating hours to 24/7, and improving climate control. He appreciates Rev’s work but sees potential for more.
Addressing these maintenance concerns is essential to improving the student experience at Langston University.
These ongoing issues impact not only athletes like Taariq Norbert but also the wider student body that relies on campus facilities. While efforts are being made such as the plan for a new gym floor, there is still work to be done, particularly in resolving heating, cooling, and structural problems.
Ensuring a well-maintained campus is crucial for students’ safety, comfort, and ability to excel in academic and extra-curricular activities.
Rebecca Gambor
Rebecca Gambor is a junior broadcast journalism major
