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SALISBURY, MD--A recent donation of $94,056 worth of exercise equipment by the Seagull Century Bicycle event will benefit thousands of Salisbury State University students and enhance the physical education curriculum for many of Wicomico County’s middle and high school students.

“Since the Century, sponsored by SSU and Campus Recreation, involves the entire community, then the community ought to also benefit from it,” said David Brown, SSU director of campus recreation.

At a dedication Thursday, February 22, SSU’s Nautilus Room where the new equipment is housed was renamed the Seagull Century Fitness Room. It includes stationary bikes, treadmills and weight machines.

The old equipment--19 Nautilus machines, sit-up boards, three cycle bikes and three Stairmasters--was donated to Wicomico County’s James M. Bennett, Wicomico, and Parkside high schools; Bennett and Wicomico middle schools and Mardela Middle and High School.

“The gift was a tremendous blessing especially with the budget crisis,” said Ralph Osborne, Wicomico’s supervisor of physical education and athletics. “Normally, it would have taken me several years to get this type of equipment.”

The Seagull Century, an annual 100-mile, nationally ranked cycling tour of the Eastern Shore, drew just under 7,000 riders last year. Proceeds from the race are used to enhance activities and facilities in the campus community, such as Habitat for Humanity and numerous student groups, Brown said. This year, those groups received $12,972.30 and $19,801, respectively.

For information visit the University’s Web site at www.salisbury.edu or call 410-543-6342.