Indian River High School students got more gifts this holiday season than those they received from family members and friends. Just before the holiday, the weight room at IRHS saw a welcomed donation from a member of the community. Four new pieces of exercise equipment made their way from Energy Gym on Route 54 in Selbyville to the high school, promising plenty of new workout alternatives for the students.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Lucie Rinker works out on some of the equipment donated to Indian River High School by Energy Gym owner Tony Hall.

“It’s great to see something like this,” said Indian River athletic instructor and former basketball coach Phil Mead.

Roughly $6,000 worth of gym equipment was donated by Tony Hall, owner of the Selbyville fitness center, including a deadlift platform, hack squat machine, torso machine and Roman chair.

“Our school has a very limited budget,” Mead explained, “so any money we can spend is generated through water and Gatorade sales. The money we make is generally put toward repairs and things of that nature. Any equipment we can gain is beneficial.”

Hall recently purchased new equipment for his gym and subsequently turned over the other pieces for the students’ use.

“The machines have been used,” said Mead, “but they’re still in great condition and can take a beating. If we were to purchase ones like this, it would run us a bit.”

Mead added that the school plans to work with Energy Gym and other businesses throughout the community on a variety of fundraisers in the future.

Indian River Athletic Director Todd Fuhrmann also recognized what a generous donation like Hall’s can do for the students and how it demonstrates the school’s close relationship with the community.

“It really expands what we can do in the weight room,” he said. “It’s great to have community support from businesses that are willing to help us try to achieve our athletic goals through those kinds of donations.

“We’re fortunate to have that assistance and know that if we do get in a bind, people are willing to do what they can,” he added. “They understand that we’re here trying to accomplish great things with these kids, and trying to teach them about fitness and overall, staying in shape and being healthy.”