Athletics facilities scandal

The Athletics facilities scandal was a 2004 Spectator investigation revealing that Provost Jonathan Cole had misled the athletics department into believing that they were receiving space in the Northwest Science Building when in fact no space had been reserved for them. In addition, the report revealed that on at least two occasions, the department missed opportunities to construct dedicated facilities when the administration chose to pursue alternate plans for the sites because athletics had failed to raise enough money.

Unbuilt Facilities

During his 13 year tenure as Athletic Director, John Reeves failed to expand the athletics department's footprint on the Morningside Heights campus. Reeves had planned facilities for three different undeveloped sites on and around campus in that time: a five-to-six story gymnasium built atop Levien Gymnasium; an aquatics center on Amsterdam Ave. and 121st St.; and a portion of any development of the last remaining undeveloped portion of the Grove between Levien and Pupin on the corner of 120th Street and Broadway.

Gymnasium Tower

When Reeves came to Columbia in 1991, among the most pressing needs he needed to address were acquiring new space and renovating existing space. In 1993, Columbia spent $250,000 creating a Master Plan for athletics. By 1996 Reeves had already accomplished a number of tasks, including the construction of a tri-level fitness center in Dodge Fitness Center. From there Reeves moved on to the next phase in his plan, acquiring funding for a tower on top of Levien to provide additional space for his cramped department. However, Reeves was never able to secure the necessary funds and the project was shelved in 1998. Today the space above Levien is the site of the Northwest Science Building.

Aquatics Center

Reeves' second major facilities expansion plan called for the construction of a new aquatics center on 121st street. Once again Reeves had plans drawn up and sought donations. Once again Reeves was unable to secure the money, and spurred in part by this fact, the administration opted to use the site for a new building for the School of Social Work instead.

Failure to Fundraise?

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External links

• John Reeves Ushers in an Awaited Turnaround in Columbia Athletics, The Record, Vol. 22 Iss. 11, Decemeber 6, 1996
• John Reeves Casts Off, CCT, July 2004
• Pressed for Space, Athletics Never Got Close, Columbia Spectator, April 30, 2004
• Columbia Owes Athletes An Apology, Columbia Spectator, May 3, 2004