The wait and the creativity are necessary because athletes are dealing with a drastically reduced number of weight machines and lifting stations.

"It's hard even with a team of our size, which is 17 people, because there is only one apparatus from each type of lift," said Jessica Gelman, a junior point guard on the women's basketball team. "This is pretty pathetic for a Division I program."

Where once there were eight power squat cages, there are now three. Where once there were four lifting platforms, there is now one. Where once there were four Olympic bench presses, there is now also only one. Gone are the stretching area, the plyometric boxes, squat machine and Olympic military press benches.

To cut down on some of the overcrowding, hours for the weight room have been extended from 6:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Although the situation is only temporary, athletes and coaches are trying to accentuate the positive. Sardo believes the new weight room will cause short but intense workouts and allow for better team specific supervision.

Athletic director Cleary's memorandum was perfectly, rather than poorly, timed. Since the demolition of Carey Cage, athletes are thinking seriously about the quality of the athletic program and are concerned for the future.

"Look what's at the end of the tunnel," Sardo said. "A brand new facility that is state of the art and just as big as we had before."

But the end of the tunnel is two years and many Cleary memoranda away.