Physical Learning Center

The Home of Wolverine Athletics

In addition to developing sound minds, Grove City College’s holistic approach to education includes building up sound bodies. The Physical Learning Center, or PLC, is one the key places this happens.

The PLC is the home of Wolverine athletics, intramural sports, and student fitness and recreation. Built in 1953, expanded in 1988, and extensively remodeled in 2004, it is the largest building on campus.

Its sprawling interior includes the College’s 1,800 seat Arena, a massive gym and exhibition space ringed by a suspended running track, recreational and competitive swimming pools, a fitness center, weight and conditioning rooms, racquetball courts, and a bowling alley. MORE>>

The Alumni Hall portion of the building was the original home of the Gedunk, bookstore, and mailroom. Today it is the Career Services Office. The second floor has served as a student residence hall and office space.

Athletics and physical fitness have been a part of campus life since the earliest days of the College when students were required to do calisthenics. Organized sports were also a feature of 19th century campus life. The first intercollegiate contest was a baseball game against Westminster in 1884. In 1891, Grove City marked its first undefeated football season in a league that included other nearby colleges and local teams.

In the modern era, Grove City College offers 24 NCAA Division 3 varsity sports programs for men and women. The College is part of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, an association of 12 private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.

The College’s rich sports history is on display throughout the PLC and the Hall of Fame highlights standout student-athletes.

The Wolverine name wasn’t officially applied to our teams until the 1940s. Before that they were sometimes called the wolf pack or wolves, names inspired by Wolf Creek. The Willie the Wolverine mascot made his first appearance in 1948.

The College’s rich sports heritage has always sought to develop character in student-athletes as much as it has victories on the field, court, and pitch.

In recent years, the College has made athletics a priority, recruiting record numbers of student athletes and investing in personnel and facilities to encourage campus-wide enthusiasm under the “Wolverines together” ethos to “glorify God, build relationships, and compete for championships.