The first phase of the refresh at Goshen College’s Recreational Fitness Center includes replacing the old paint and transforming the building into a place that embodies the pride of GC.

Phase one is “handling all the hallways and interior corridors,” said Chad Coleman, associate athletic director.

“We purpled out all the teal, and whited out all of the old regular off-white eggshell colors,” Coleman said.

He said the color changes are part of a “move to rebrand and to come more in line with our competition.”

Coleman spends the majority of his days in the RFC, where he is relentlessly working to improve the space. His career on Maple Leaf territory began in 2002, where he served as a residence director until 2016.

In 2019, he picked up a new role as director of campus safety and the RFC coordinator, all while earning his master’s degree.

Currently, Coleman focuses on all things facilities and operations at GC.

The RFC was built 31 years ago, just enough time for it to achieve its prime and later inevitable decline.

“When it was built, it was [a] state of the art [building], but it’s aging,” Coleman said.

The building experienced its glory days, however, it is time for the new RFC to phase in. New paint swatches, more space and a modern style.

Coleman described the renovations as a “long time coming.”

The “mall” of the 90’s, as Coleman called it, “where different, academics, student life [and] everybody had a store,” he said. It is now known as the RFC.

It was filled with different rooms on each side, rather than the primarily athletic facility seen today. Each room could fit any niche, from athletics to academics.

When it was originally built, there was a different goal in mind. It was built for community and students. Now it must adapt as the home for athletics.

Coleman is determined to transform the building into a place that is identifiable with the “Goshen College athletics brand.”

Jessie Price, a sophomore biochemistry major and student-athlete, spends many hours in the RFC per week. She emphasizes how she has seen the campus evolving its color palette and renovations.

“I love the new colors, it ties in Goshen more. I feel like the color gives it a new updated vibe, without it having to be entirely renovated,” Price said.

Coleman understands that athletics need more space and help. Each day, he spends his time brainstorming how to better the athletic program here at GC.

Coleman’s bachelor’s degree in sports communication broadcasting from Indiana University and a Master’s in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University provides him the opportunity to effectively run and improve the college’s athletic programs.

The RFC not only provides a home for GC athletes, but also a space for unauthorized and chaotic fun, which extends to its staff too.

When Coleman was a residence director, he enjoyed playing pick-up basketball games with former and current staff: Paul Keim, Stan Grove, Ken Pletcher and Tavi Mounsithiraj. He stated that he “would be in here every day.”

“I played noon ball with some professors and athletic staff two days a week,” Coleman said.

Coleman simply wants to “continually find bottlenecks in progress and try to fix” them.

His ambitions for GC’s RFC are high, and hopes that by the time these renovations are completed, the building can reach its second peak.

Coleman emphasizes that the renovations will take time, however, Coleman is happy to say that he “has people on board, confident and feeling really good about where we’re going with it.”

Progress is being made as phase one continues and renews the space. Phase two of renovations begins summer 2026 and will include the same          “GC-ified” treatment for the gym, and will include “flag or banner homages to specific athletes or leaf legends,” Coleman said.