Andrew Adham Takes Helm of Falk Recreation Center
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can,” is a quote from tennis legend Arthur Ashe that has special meaning for Andrew Adham, the new manager of the Anne & Isidore Falk Recreation Center.
Andrew Adham confers with Falk Center staff member Laura Bartolotti
Not only are those words inspiring when it comes to exercising, but it’s also how he approaches life and his new job at Einstein.
“We all start at different places,” he said. “You have to use what you have to push yourself forward.”
Although Mr. Adham only started at Einstein in late April, he already has big goals for Einstein’s on-campus athletic facility, which he now heads.
“I want to make the best use of what’s already successful but also identify areas where we can improve,” he said.
The recreation center, which opened in 1987, has a 75-foot swimming pool, full-size basketball court, weight room, women’s and men’s saunas and steam rooms, treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, rowing machines, yoga sessions and other class offerings, and a full roster of recreational sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton and racquetball. For 31 years it’s been a place for members of the Einstein community to blow off some steam.
“Students, faculty and staff have so much going on in their lives, they need time where they can let go. It’s our job to create a space where they can come for an hour or so and focus on being in the moment,” he said. “Whether it’s running, lifting weights, or playing basketball, if we can give them that sense of relief for a little bit, that’s important.”
Introducing New Programming
Mr. Adham plans to survey members of the Einstein community to gauge interest in sports that are easier for anyone to play, like kickball or whiffleball. His chief goal, however, is to bring more fitness programming to the center.
“Fitness is becoming more popular and there’s a demand for it that wasn’t there 30 years ago. People are much more attuned to their health and fitness. Especially being at a medical school, the students and staff are aware of the positive effects working out can have on their health,” he said.
To expand on fitness offerings, Mr. Adham is considering breaking down some of the walls currently separating rooms within the center.
“I want there to be more open space for people to come together,” he explained. “There’s a big social element to a gym. When you’re working out next to someone or playing a sport with someone, there’s a camaraderie that’s not always there in everyday life.”
He added, “In my previous job at the Hearst Corporation, I loved seeing the president and CEO on a treadmill next to the brand new administrative assistant. Everyone’s wearing workout clothes, so a lot of barriers are broken down at a gym. In a way, there are no longer titles at the gym and someone you might otherwise hesitate to talk to is more approachable when they’re on the treadmill next to you.”
Mr. Adham said he sees that at Einstein, too, where there are administrative department heads, students and professors working out side by side or playing sports together.
Back to School
Einstein is not Mr. Adham’s first job in a campus environment. Before Hearst, he worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Long Island University, the school where he received his Master’s degree in exercise science.
He stays in shape with Olympic lifting, running and yoga. He also hopes to jump in on some of the soccer games at Einstein. “That’s the great thing about being in a campus setting,” he observed. “There are many more options for connecting with others through sports.”
He added, “I’ve only been at Einstein a few months, but I’ve met so many great people. And we have a terrific staff that’s eager to find ways that we can better serve everyone at Einstein and Montefiore.”
Posted on: Monday, July 23, 2018