Coconino News

Northern Arizona University (NAU) has announced a significant donation to its athletic department. Mike Sims and Dr. Patricia Treharne have pledged three million dollars, marking the largest single gift in the history of NAU Athletics. The funds will support the Sims-Treharne Collaborative Research Lab at the Student-Athlete High Performance Center.

In a joint statement, Sims and Dr. Treharne expressed their commitment to sports and education: "NAU Athletics holds a special place in our hearts, and we believe in the power of sports and education to shape future leaders. Through our support of the Sims-Treharne Collaborative Research Lab at the Student-Athlete High Performance Center, we're proud to enhance research in sports science, biomechanics, recovery, and nutrition."

The lab focuses on optimizing student-athletes' performance by researching injury prevention, training at altitude, sleep effects, and stress management. Opened in April 2022, it collaborates with NAU's College of Health and Human Services for data collection and analysis.

Additionally, the donation includes funding for a research endowed scholarship aimed at supporting a graduate assistant working within the lab. This scholarship is intended to alleviate financial burdens for students pursuing advanced degrees.

Mike Marlow, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at NAU, praised the donors: "Mike and Trish have continuously demonstrated a steadfast belief in the transformative power of higher education and college athletics. This commitment provides a legacy opportunity for NAU Athletics to strengthen our dedication to the health and wellness of current and future student-athletes through science."

The contribution aims to elevate Northern Arizona's status in academic research related to athletics.