Milken Community School’s athletic program is beginning a new, exciting chapter with the purchase of the American Jewish University campus, one that has already yielded extraordinary new facilities for student-athletes.

The newly completed Milken East weight room marks only the start of what is to be a journey of transformation for students, offering them a state-of-the-art training space that has been the exclusive domain of higher education up to this point in time. As the first phase of renovations concludes, Milken students have professional-grade fitness equipment (4 squat racks, treadmills, rowing machine, cable machine, and more!) and training areas (yoga room, The Den, basketball court, multi-purpose field) that further the school’s commitment to developing well-rounded athletes and encouraging lifelong fitness. This purchase will reach much further than physical upgrades, fundamentally reshaping Milken’s athletics program in a way that cements community, performance, and development as integral pieces of the school’s competitive sports.

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Adrian Gonzalez has seen how the mindsets of our athletes have positively evolved: “I’ve seen so many athletes mindsets change from ‘I’m not sure if this is right for me’ to ‘I own this; I can do hard stuff, and I’m gonna be better.’

Milken East’s weight room is the focus of the first phase in renovations and is now the most advanced facility for exercise on campus that is open to all students. Equipped with the latest technology and ample space to train, it has already become a symbol of the school’s commitment to fostering athletic development in an environment on par with that of college-level programs. The Milken East weight room, outfitted with the aforementioned latest equipment, offers student-athletes a place to train and build strength with tools similar to those used by professional and collegiate programs. From power racks to specialized weightlifting machines and cardio equipment, the space is designed to meet a range of fitness needs. Mr. Gonzalez spoke on the importance of the new weight room, saying, “New toys are always exciting. It brings fun, motivation, and team bonding. It takes time, commitment, discipline, and intensity toward an ever-evolving product.”

The new facilities are already making the good kind of difference in students’ weekly routines.

“I’m ecstatic at the fact that we now have batting cages down in the ‘Den’,” Alexander Rosoff (’27), a baseball player who now uses the facilities regularly, said.“Being able to go after school to hit or lift with the team has been amazing.”

The “Den” is a large space consisting of batting cages, pitching mounds, a pitching machine, and a full golf simulator Milken’s Golf and Baseball team use.

Zero-period weight room sessions at Milken East have only begun this year. Athletes can also come to school before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays to get in a lift if they have something going on after school. This opportunity gives athletes more flexibility (pun intended) on how they train. Many athletes are seeing how the upgraded environment can help them reach new personal and team goals.

Milken coaches are equally enthusiastic, noting how the space allows for more focused and effective training sessions.Head Baseball coach Gary Rosoff had excitement in his voice as he discussed all the new facilities we have access to now. As winter quickly approaches , it will likely feel great for our teams to have an indoor space to practice, in large part due to the fact that it gets dark earlier.

Adding the acquisition of the AJU campus and its renovation means much more than improving facilities. Milken Head of Athletics Sammy Skinner explained the larger vision for the project.

“The pride and spirit everyone will feel when we enter the new campus [represents part of that vision]. It will enhance the ability to thrive and be more prepared for elite athletics and the opportunity to be a college ready athlete,” he said.
Not only will the upgrade be great for the students on the field but also off the field. The vision of Milken East transcends just field success.

“Teamwork, comradery, time management, and the creation of lifelong friendships, just to name a few mark some of our goals for students,” Skinner added.

The Milken community has certainly recognized this helpful purchase of the AJU, and so have significant figures in the larger sports community surrounding it.

Longtime SoCal High School Sports Los Angeles Times Writer Eric Sondheimer wrote about the acquisition on X this past January.

This kind of Tweet indicates Milken’s position in the city as a competitive athletic institution, along with Harvard-Westlake and Chaminade.

Milken is creating a future where fitness, competition, and community become inseparable. This investment not only represents a commitment to athletics but also a broader dedication to the growth, health, and well-being of every student.

As Milken’s athletic program has continued to grow, the school has stayed focused on creating an environment where student-athletes (around 80 percent of the student body) can reach their fullest potential as multi-hyphenate students. This marks further inspiration for Milken generations to come and will hopefully continue redefining the many possibilities in school athletics.