About the PAC

The Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center (“The PAC”) hums with students, faculty, staff, and community members pursuing fitness and fun. The building was named for alumnus Herman W. Lay, founder of Frito-Lay and first board chairman of Pepsico, who was a major benefactor.

The Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center was completed in the spring of 1973.  Major renovations are currently underway and are to be completed in the spring of 2009. Since its opening, the PAC has been the center for physical activity on campus. The PAC provides Furman with the facilities for one of the most extensive Exercise Science programs in the Southeast. The center houses the departments of Health and Exercise Science, Military Science, Human Resources and Recreational Sports.

Located on the first floor are the gymnasium, Furman Fitness Center (FFC), swimming pool, class and lecture rooms and locker rooms. The front of the building houses the Department of Health and Exercise Science and the Department of Recreational Sports. The gymnasium and fitness center occupy the full width of the building. The large gym (12,000 square feet) has one main basketball court, two cross-courts, eight badminton and three volleyball courts. The Fitness Center (6,000 square feet) houses some of the most extensive aerobic exercise and weightlifting equipment available.
The swimming pool is 25 yards long and has six complete lanes.  During renovations, the pool was converted to a salt-water system rather than a chlorine system because salt is more comfortable, easier on swimwear, safer and smells better.

Adjacent to the pools are three, four-wall indoor hand/racquetball courts which are lighted.  Two of these courts are available for use until renovations are complete.

On the second floor of the PAC there is a large dance instruction studio with continuous mirrors on one side. In addition to many other uses, the studio is used for aerobic dance, non-credit classes (i.e., Fencing, Tai Chi, Yoga, etc.) and also HES credit dance instruction.

The Human Performance Laboratory, which is located behind the northwest corner of the building, contains equipment for the scientific study of anatomy, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and motor learning. Although the laboratory is used primarily for teaching and research, it also provides the Furman community and members with individual physical fitness assessment.  To learn more about the Human Performance Laboratory, click here.