Ford Center

Home of Stanford Gymnastics

The dream of a state-of-the-art gymnastics training facility became a reality with the opening of the Ford Center for Sports and Recreation.

Ford Center (click on image for larger version)

Dedicated on November 2, 1990, the building is named for lead donor Tom Ford. His donation, as well as the contributions of other Cardinal sports backers, allowed Stanford to build one of the top facilities in the nation.

Sadao Hamada, Stanford men's gymnastics coach since 1972, said upon the Ford Center opening, "In my many years of coaching, I've seen facilities everywhere and the Ford Center will give us by far the best gymnastics facility in the United States. Efficiency in training will be improved with room for more equipment and much better designed space."

The recent addition of the Ford Center Plaza, which includes a park and a sand volleyball court, adds to the beauty and versatility of the facility. The Ford Center truly signals a strong and continuing commitment to gymnastics by the Stanford community.