Written by William Ewald
Last week Concordia dedicated its modern new Fitness Center located in the area formerly occupied by the university’s swimming pool. More than 300 attended the dedication ceremony in the north gym. At the time, the speakers made reference to the simpler facilities in small rooms in the south gymnasium which had served as fitness centers since 1978, starting in the Paul Zimmermann administration. It was an appropriate and meaningful dedication, and Concordia is fortunate to have such a new and up-to-date facility.
As an old retired professor and university archivist, there was only one thing overlooked at the dedication, namely, the recognition of the faculty member who established the first fitness center in 1978. Dr. Lois Klatt, a retired coach, teacher, and administrator in the Department of Human Performance deserves much recognition for making Concordia’s first modest fitness center available to students, faculty, and staff and continuing as director until retirement. With a $40,000 grant received by the university, donations of initial equipment by Nordic Trak and Schwinn Airdyne, and interior work from the physical plant, the first lab was develop, and patrons of the facility could get a good workout. In the 90’s and early 2000s, a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant was received which allowed for analysis of Life Fitness Exercise Equipment for the company and acquisition of addition equipment from Life Fitness. Dr. Klatt, whose doctorate is in biomechanics, was especially skilled in guiding students through the performance and motion analysis which would be essential in their later teaching careers or graduate study.
Distinguished Professor Klatt received her doctorate degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, and served on the faculty from 1963 to 2003, where for a time she held the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She coached Concordia students in several sports, including basketball and softball. Outside of her teaching basic physical education course, she also taught Biomechanics, Applied Anatomy and Physiology, and Fitness and Wellness classes at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Dr. Klatt is now retired and lives in Elmwood Park, IL.
