Case Study: Will Rogers College High School

Aluma Elite Basic Treatment Tables

A Notable History

Built during the Great Depression through funding from a Public Works Administration grant, Will Rogers College High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, now stands as one of the best examples of Art Deco high school architecture in the United States. The original building plan, nearly symmetric in a triangle of stepped blocks was completed in 1939, with 200,000 square feet of space.

According to the National Park Service, "Will Rogers College High School is notable in its structural integrity and condition and has been in continuous use since its inception in 1939. An outstanding example of Art Deco school architecture, Will Rogers College High School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, and serves as a model of progressive education in the United States."

Incorporating the New

This 1939 high school is a Tulsa Art Deco icon. KKT Architects added on to the campus while carefully preserving its unique design and character. In three phases spanning seven years, KKT designed a new field house, converted former shop spaces into a new cafeteria and kitchen, and added a café and student store opening to a courtyard. They also redesigned, updated, and reconfigured the administrative area, while the original kitchen and cafeteria was remodeled and reprogrammed into new lecture halls, computer labs, conference rooms, and offices. It was cost-prohibitive to duplicate the historic terra cotta panels, so KKT used intricate brick detailing to create vertical elements echoing the original design. The new field house’s light gray masonry mimics the cut limestone base on the original building and the new lobby employs similar Art Deco details and color palette, tying the new design to the old.

The Field House Project

According to Steve Friebus, Coordinator of Sports Medicine at Will Rogers College High School, “We were building a new field house for the stadium and a new athletic training room was part of the project. This was a new project that turned a practice field into a stadium to be used for events. It included bleachers, press box, offices, weight room, locker rooms, concession, ticket booth, restrooms, laundry, hospitality room and an athletic training room.”

Photo courtesy of Will Rogers College High School

Friebus became acquainted with The Athletic Edge through National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) trade shows and Athletic Edge product catalogs. According to Friebus, “I received recommendations on Athletic Edge products from other athletic trainers and was impressed with the quality of your products.”

The Ropers purchased Aluma Elite products including an enclosed taping station, basic treatment tables, and modality carts. Friebus commented on some of his favorite features of the new furniture and equipment stating, “The biggest feature is the aluminum construction for the main structures. I currently have tables and cabinets in other facilities constructed from wood or wood products and have had some negative experiences with the long-term durability and appearance of those products. In some facilities, the furniture has been thrown away after only a few years of use because the damage was irreparable.”

In addition to durable construction and a long-lasting lifespan, Friebus spoke on how the new Aluma Elite products would help to better serve student athletes and the school community. “These tables are sturdy and able to hold the weight of larger athletes. The lockable drawers add storage and the adjustable tilt backs with nose cut out make the table more comfortable for the users.”

 Would you recommend AE to others?

"Absolutely! The quality of the product is evident. The customer service team was a pleasure to work with. They offered options to suit my needs, answered my abundance of questions, created multiple mock-ups of designs to help me come to a final decision, and kept me informed of the production and shipment timeline."