By AUDREY DOTY ’29
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, 18 Sept. 2026
On Thursday, July 23, at 11 p.m., Houghton University (HU) President Wayne D. Lewis Jr. received a call from Dr. Bill Burrichter, the Vice President of Student Life, alerting him of a fire in the Nielsen Athletic Center. Upon Lewis’ arrival, he found the parking lot “filled with tanker trucks and lit by flashing lights” from the Houghton volunteer fire department. The fire originated in the women’s volleyball team locker room; however, smoke caused more damage than the fire to other spots in the building, including the classrooms, pool, rock climbing wall and indoor track.
“Security Officer Mark Dashnau first discovered the fire while conducting his normal rounds,” according to Director of HU Safety and Security (S&S) Brian O’Gorman. He explained that Dashnau located the fire before the alarm system detected it, and commended his vigilance and diligent work ethic. Luckily, no one was hurt. Paul Cronk, both S&S supervisor and the Houghton volunteer fire chief, told O’Gorman that “the fire was extinguished shortly after the fire department arrived on the scene.”
O’Gorman says that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, and he would rather not speculate until they have the full report. In order to prevent a fire of this scale from happening again, O’Gorman affirmed that once the full report is released, they “will review the findings carefully and develop any appropriate prevention measures moving forward.” O’Gorman also made sure to thank Dashnau and those who helped, including Paul Cronk, facilities manager Chad Plymale and his team, “for the professionalism, teamwork and rapid response demonstrated by everyone involved.”
However, the building sustained extensive damage. Cleanup crews, instructed by Plymale, started the morning after the fire. Lewis says its recovery and reconstruction will likely take up to a year. He’s hopeful that they will be able to open the main section of the gym by late October. Matthew Webb, director of athletics, agrees, saying, “We are very optimistic and hopeful about being able to reoccupy the gymnasium prior to Nov. 7,” when the men’s basketball team is scheduled to have its first home game.
Until then, the athletic department has been running differently. The fall and winter sports teams have been impacted most. Webb explains that finding accommodations for the athletes “has definitely added more meetings” to his schedule. These accommodations include finding places for the athletes to practice, hold games and work out. The women’s volleyball team has been practicing at local high schools, and right now that has been where their “home” games will take place. The basketball teams have put temporary basketball hoops into the Kerr-Pegula Field House, and they will also be using some local venues until they can use the Nielsen Center again. Webb acknowledged that the situation “is obviously frustrating and inconvenient,” but said, “Our student-athletes are resilient and have responded well and are being flexible and understanding.”
Both Lewis and Webb want to remind the community that it could have been worse and that we shouldn’t get stuck on the inconveniences from the fire. Webb acknowledged that the situation is similar to the feeding of the 5,000 in John 6, and he wondered what God will do with the outcome at the Nielsen Center. Lewis urged the community to continue praying about the situation and those involved, saying, “With the Lord’s help, I am confident that we will emerge better and stronger.” ★
