The Importance of a Home Court

Written by Jesse Small

The 2025-2026 school year’s new Browning high school building was not only a monumental addition to students in its state of the art classrooms and learning centers, but also in its athletic facilities. On the penultimate, fifth floor lies a regulation sized basketball court, bleachers, and a high quality gym. On the sixth floor, an assortment of machines, such as treadmills and rowing, to improve the cardiovascular health of both students and teachers. The new gym’s importance lies not only in new gains to Browning athletic culture and dedication, but also in that of a new school spirit. An example that draws this conclusion could be from Browning basketball’s red out game against Riverdale in the fall. Although Browning did not come out victorious, the cheers heard from grades K-12, appearances from Tom Brady and Danny Wolf of the Brooklyn Nets, and relentless merchandise being provided, are all just the beginning of the memories that the new gym will provide for its students. In this way the new gym acts as a way to improve ourselves in a myriad of ways: First, the improvement of the self; Whether it be through lifting, cardio, or training of your specific sport, the new gym offers a space for the Browning student body to improve individually and as a team; Second, the ability to further our camaraderie as a community; Almost every Browning athletic team, even teams such as soccer or track, find time to use the gym to continue their training. These practices are not only important for the improvement of our athletic teams, but for the lessons that sports teach us. In observation of these different factors and events, it is evident that the new gym, which lies atop of our new building, is integral to our school community in many different ways.