Experience, passion drive new fitness director Published June 12, 2008 By Mr. Clay Kraby 319th Force Support Squadron GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The base fitness center has a new director whose passion for sports programs and abundant experience is sure to benefit Airmen and their families. Mr. Steven Lowe has been with the Department of Defense for a total of 16 years, 12 of which have been spent within the Department of the Air Force as a director of intramural, varsity, and youth sports programs and as a fitness center director at various Air Force installations. For the past four years, Lowe was the Command Sports Specialist at Unites States Air Forces in Europe headquarters in Ramstein, Germany. While there, he headed the varsity team and individual sports program for the active duty population of USAFE, which consisted of seven main operating bases and more than a dozen geographically separated units and munitions sites. Mr. Lowe served as assistant coach for the All Air Force men's soccer team from 2006-2008 in competition with the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps soccer teams. "Traditionally each year we invited 35 of the highest caliber soccer players throughout the Air Force and held three-week tryouts," said Mr. Lowe. "The end goal was to find the top 18 soccer players to represent the Air Force in the annual Armed Forces Championship. We were runners-up in 2006 and 2007, finally capturing the title in 2008 this past February." In 2007 he became the assistant coach for the All Armed Forces soccer team, which was comprised of the top players from all branches of the military chosen to represent Team USA at the International Military Soccer Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Coaching these teams helped to strengthen his passion for providing quality sports and fitness programs to Airmen. Serving at many other installations has not prevented him from appreciating the great fitness center here. "The Grand Forks Fitness Center must rank extremely high within the command and Air Force in terms of the amount of facilities offered, especially when considering the recent additions of the field house, swimming pool, climbing wall, and family fitness areas," Mr. Lowe said. "The condition and quality of all equipment within the facility far exceeds the criteria required within our fitness and sports Air Force Instruction and five-star fitness checklists." His goals for the facility include improving the family fitness and fun area, as well as drawing more people to the group exercise classes. "We would like to increase the participation within the group classes which consist of aerobics, spinning, circuit training, palates, and kick boxing. Presently we are offering 20-plus [classes] per week, and they are free of charge and are a great way for Airmen and family members to stay fit. Classes can also be established for unit level PT involvement," he said. Lowe added, "I would also like to increase the awareness and visibility of the Air Force sports program so that higher level athletes stationed here are given the chance to perform at the next stage with Air Force sports teams, and perhaps represent the Air Force at upcoming sports championships." Mr. Lowe's experience and excitement for his new position allows him and his staff at the fitness center to offer the best possible service to the base community. "Our primary mission is to offer fitness and sports programs to the active duty personnel that make them fit to fight, and to enable our Airmen to lead the way in fitness testing," the new director said. "We have a very young and energetic staff that is here to meet the needs of the customer providing quality fitness and sports programs, as well as special events."