The PANANOLE News: FSU-Panama Student E-Zine

Its six o’clock in a warm Thursday afternoon and two teams are about to hit the soccer field for, what is to be, another interesting match between Florida State University – Panama (FSU-PTY) and La Universidad Latino Americana. These teams have met in the past, with Florida State University’s team coming victorious on a 2-0 win. Right before the referee is about to blow the whistle to start the game at FSU-PTY’s athletic field, less than 100 yards from the field, a Cruise Ship majestically passes by. This is the scene of Florida State University-Panama’s athletic program field, which is located at the mouth of the Panama Canal. Along with an amazing view to one of men’s greatest invention FSU-PTY’s atheletic program offers a great physical fitness facility and many University sports programs.

FSU-Panama Gym/Fitness center. Photo by Walt Dupery.
The gym, which is located less than three minutes (walking distance) from the dorms and main campus, has a weight room encompasses of 2,500 square feet with over 5,000 lbs. of free weights, 110 training stations, and a full line of variable resistance machines. Furthermore, for those free weight aficionados, the gym has a free weight section, which has ample space for a good workout; In addition, your workout with circuit training on Stairmaster, and Proline cardiovascular machines will be sure to give you the work out needed to burn all those unwanted calories.

Inside the Fitness Center. Photo by Walt Dupery.
Adjacent to the gym we have the basketball court, which is used for basketball, indoor soccer, and volleyball tournaments. Most tournaments held by FSU-PTY’s athletic department are played against other Universities here in Panama.

Basketball court. Photo by Walt Dupery.
The tournaments are a good experience for the students at Florida State University- Panama, because it gives them the opportunity to meet and talk to students from other Universities around Panama. The athletic director Erick W. Holland, is the “go to guy” who makes all the arrangements for these tournaments to happen. Holland is also the assistant head coach of our own football team, “The Florida State-Panama Raptors”. The Raptors have kept a dominating history in American football program by wining 4 of the 6 championships played since 1998. Additionally, another athletic program, which has enjoyed a successful year, is the softball team. Under the guidance of Uriel De Leon (Head coach) The Florida State Noles ranked #1 in the nation and took first place in the season’s closing tournaments. Along with our softball and football successful seasons, the lady nole’s soccer team gave the female team of the Universidad de Santa Maria la Antigua a run for their money in the soccer finals, which was nationally televised. The Lady Noles took second place in the national rankings, but next season is just around the corner and the lady’s team is having more than half of their starting players coming back. The men’s soccer team is currently under reconstruction after loosing six of the eleven starting international players to Florida State University main campus; nonetheless, they too had a respectable season.

The athletic department also offers employment opportunity to those students interested in working while attending school. The athletic director offers flexible schedules hours for the students to work and attend school. There are usually two vacancies per semester available for students who would like to work at the gym.

Job opportunities in the athletic department. Photo by Walt Dupery.
Soccer games, warm sun, softball tournaments, the Panama Canal, tournament championships, and great student employment opportunities are many of the related words, which easily intertwine with our Athletic Department.

If one of your worries is having a good Athletic Department while attending a great University, please have no doubt that Florida State University – Panama Athletic Department will meet the chief standards required while providing the highest quality athletic program and team experience through sports participation. Our athletic department challenges you to come and enjoy our great sport programs and the most mesmerizing views in Central America while developing a higher education.