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Posted on 2.25.25
Since its opening in 2007, Mallard Creek High School has cemented its reputation for developing student-athletes. It is one of two public high schools in the country that had multiple alumni playing in this year’s Super Bowl, and many Olympians, college stars and other professional athletes have walked through its doors.
In addition to student-athletes, Mallard Creek also has a student body that participates in health and physical education. With so many active students, they eventually outgrew their weight room and were working out in the halls. But that changed on Feb. 24, when the ribbon was cut on Mallard Creek’s renovated weight room, provided by the Thielen Foundation, in partnership with Sentara Health.
The renovated weight room is twice its previous size and features new floors and equipment, mirrors and inspirational branding. Student-athletes also received $5,000 worth of UNRL brand athletic gear. In addition, the foundation will provide five, $1,000 student-athlete leadership scholarships, beginning this fall for the next 10 years.
“This space is a win for all,” said Dr. Jared Thompson, Mallard Creek principal. “First and foremost, we’re offering students a safer environment with the class sizes we had within our strength training courses. We absolutely needed more space, more equipment, so just the facility upgrades alone offer a safer atmosphere to have their strength training courses. It also means we can capitalize on the great student-athletes that we already have, helping them maximize their training for whatever sport they’re competing in. We’ve really covered all our bases here.”
The Thielen Foundation was started by Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen and his wife, Caitlin Thielen, who attended the event and spent time with the students who were present. The foundation focuses on youth development and empowering those in need to reach their potential. It has renovated two weight rooms in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; the first was at Harding University High School.
“We feel that through sports, being proud of playing sports and being on teams that they will actually be better,” said Adam Thielen. “A lot of times by renovating these weight rooms in these spaces, it’s impacting far beyond sports. It’s impacting the way that they treat others and their self-esteem. The more they come in here and understand how to train, how to work out, they actually have more self-confidence and treat people with more respect.”
