From the moment students swipe their ID cards through the entry, they are exposed to a scene of friends and fitness: Students’ sneakers squeak as they skid across the gym floor where they play pick-up basketball games. Treadmill runners laugh together as they read magazines spread across the top of their machines. Joggers equipped with music-blaring headphones rhythmically make their way around the track. And adventurous students strap on harnesses, climbing to the top of the 30-foot rock wall. It’s all part of a typical day at the Rec.
The Student Recreation Center is available to all registered students who pay a dedicated fee, which is deducted from their accounts. The Rec Center offers a variety of different activities, sports and programs, and strives to provide students with a place to escape from their studies, meet new friends, and develop healthy lifestyles.
“It’s a place for the students to take a break from their normal academic schedules and recharge,” said Brent Harrison, the Rec Center’s associate director of programs. “It’s not just recreating; it’s socializing, and meeting with friends.”
During fall term, the Rec Center offers flag football, indoor soccer, volleyball and three-on-three basketball as league sports. Participation in those events is fee-based, with costs ranging from $20 to $60.
Fitness workouts such as cycling, pilates and kickboxing are also offered at the Rec Center. Students can purchase a Rec Fitness punch card with one, five, 10, 20 or an unlimited number of classes.
For students who are not interested in participating in scheduled workouts or league sports, the Rec Center offers many open recreation services and facilities. Students can play tennis, racquetball, badminton, hit the pool or kick around a soccer ball on one of the fields.
Incoming freshman Alec Remington wants to visit the Rec Center five times a week during the fall. “Because it is right on campus, I don’t have an excuse now to not go to the gym,” he said.
Remington also said he is planning to take advantage of the Rec Center’s personal trainers. The Rec Center offers a variety of fee-based personal training options, and students can set up follow-up appointments for all of the training options.
Fitness assessment packages – which include, among other things, measuring a student’s resting heart rate, body composition and cardiovascular endurance – are also available for students for a fee of $20. These packages, Harrison said, are great for incoming freshmen or for returning students who are new to the Rec Center, so they can properly assess their level of fitness and formulate a workout plan that is right for them.
“It’s a great option to come in and work with someone one-on-one to become familiar with the facility,” Harrison said.
The Rec Center also ensures equipment and services are made available for students with disabilities. “We try to do the best we can to accommodate for everyone with our programs,” Harrison said.
Credit and non-credit physical education classes are also available for students at the Rec Center. Harrison said this is a good way for students to gain some elective credit, meet new people and learn about a particular activity.
Unbeknownst to many students, the Rec Center offers students great employment opportunities, Harrison said.
University seniors Dustin Moore and Pat Siemon have worked at the Rec Center for four years and are facility managers.
Moore and Siemon encourage new and returning students to utilize the Rec and become involved either by using the facility or becoming part of the staff. “It’s a great way to not gain that ‘freshman 15,’” Moore said.
Siemon added, “At the Rec, we offer a wide range of services to cater to different students’ needs and wants. It’s a great place for students to relax and take their mind off school.”
Essentially, Harrison said, the Rec Center offers something for every student. Harrison encourages students not to be intimidated, and to utilize the center’s facilities. “The Rec Center is here to serve the students,” he said.
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