In a time where health and fitness are becoming increasingly more important in society, the Student Recreation Center is doing their part to help students stay active. They now offer a variety of new resources to help students achieve their fitness goals.

Scanning the code with your smart phone will link you to a video explaining how to use the equipment it is attached to. The QR system was designed by Health Promotion graduate Andrew Johnson this summer as an internship project. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

“We just feel like it is our responsibility to help the students develop into productive people as they’re here at the university,” said Mike Wise, director of Recreation Services. “We feel like…we could help them not only to meet new people and socialize and enjoy their time outside the classroom, but we have helped them better learn how to take care of their health.”

Wise said one goal of the recreation center is to help students lead a happy and more productive life as they age.

“We felt like we needed to offer more opportunities for the students as far as things to do on campus,” Wise said.

Students are able to use the recreation center free of charge because it is included in their student fees. The center also sells memberships to faculty, staff and alumni. Wise said that, on average, there are up to 550 participants using the recreation center each day. To increase the desire for students to use the center and its services even further, the recreation department has expanded.

“Over the summer we did instructional videos on each of the different pieces of equipment and attached a QR to that video to each of the pieces of equipment so that if they (students) wanted to find out how a particular piece of equipment works and our personal trainers were busy at the time, they could still be able to find out how to use those pieces of equipment properly,” Wise said.

Along with the addition of these instructional videos, the staff at the recreation center has also been expanded. Wise said that when the facility was first opened, there was only one personal trainer. Now as the interest has increased, the facility has added four new staff members.

The center currently has ten personal trainers on staff. Each of them teach exercise classes, along with offering personal training. Some of the classes currently offered include Zumba, Cardio Kickboxing, TRX and Crunchtime.

“I think it’s wonderful to have a place for students to go and work out,” said Lexey Jost junior theater major. “I think it’s a cool atmosphere.”

For students wanting to get involved in additional activities the recreation center also offers intermural leagues for flag football, volleyball, softball, basketball, and soccer, as well as special events throughout the year and competitions. Information about these activities can be found on the centers website, Emporia.edu/recsport.

The recreation center is currently open from 6:30a.m. to 11:00p.m, Monday through Thursday; from 6:30a.m. to 8:00p.m. on Friday; from 1-5p.m. on Saturday; and 3-7 p.m. on Sunday.

SIDEBAR:

Beginners, pros or anyone in between is invited to take part in a co-ed Ultimate Frisbee tournament hosted by the Marketing Management class and the Emporia Rec Center.

Ashley Carver, junior business major, said those aged 15-25 are encouraged to participate at 1 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Jones Aquatic Center, 4202 W. 18th Ave.

The cost is $3 for each team member. Groups should consist of five to eight people, and teams can register in the CSI office in the Memorial Union.

Brooke Schultz

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Flu shots scheduled for next week on campus

The Influenza virus kills thousands of Americans each year. Flu shots are available for students, faculty and staff in various locations on campus in October.

The cost is $25 for faculty and staff and $10 for students, or those wanting to receive the vaccine may use their health insurance if vaccinations are a covered service. Students must present their student ID to receive the discounted self-pay price.

Clinics are scheduled from 5-7 p.m. next Tuesday in the Towers lobby, from 9-11 a.m. next Wednesday in the Flint Hills Room and from 1-3 p.m. next Thursday in the Kanza Room. Call 341-5222 with questions, or email Mary McDaniel at mmcdanie@emporia.edu.

B-ball tourney sign-ups free for students, faculty and staff

ESU Recreation services will host a 3on3 Basketball Tournament at 5 p.m. on Oct. 18. The competition will be offered in both men’s and coed divisions, with a three game guarantee.

Games will be held in the multipurpose gym in the Student Recreation Center. Teams can sign up online now through Oct. 17, at Emporia-recsport.ezleagues.ezfacility.com. All entries must be completed by Noon on Oct. 17.

The tournament is free for students, faculty and staff and teams must be affiliated with ESU to participate.

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Did you ever wish that you could still partake in sports after high school but didn’t end up playing in college? The Student Recreation Center just might have the answer you have been looking for: intramural sports. These activities can offer a way to participate with fellow classmates in a fun, yet competitive atmosphere.

The SRC offers several kinds of sports and activities, like flag football, volleyball, basketball, softball, kickball tournaments, badminton, dodgeball tournaments, table tennis tournaments, soccer and video game tournaments.

Many students said they are already excited for the upcoming intramural seasons. Nadia Williamson, freshman undecided major, said she is particularly anxious to participate.

“I’m extremely stoked about intramural sports,” Williamson said. “It’s the best thing ever.”

George Jeng, senior information systems major, said he believes that participating in intramural sports is a great way to socialize.

“It’s a good way to meet new people, with some friendly competition,” Jeng said.

According to the SRC Intramural Team Entry Form, it’s possible to put teams together in a variety of ways, such as groups consisting of a fraternity, sorority, residence hall, or even an international team.

Intramural Supervisor Amy Stonebreaker said she is happy with the role intramural sports serve in the student community.

“It’s a good social atmosphere to have fun with your friends,” Stonebreaker said.

Word of mouth has helped to spread the word about intramural sports to a myriad of students this year at ESU.

“I know a lot of people, so I hear a lot of stuff,” Jeng said. “I’ve also been going to school here for four years.”

As of now, the main sports accepting teams are flag football and kickball, with more to come at a later date.

To get a team for flag football together, students must find a group of people (a maximum of 20), submit a $30 fee and head down to the SRC center to sign up before September 11. Games will be held Sept. 21 through Oct. 22, Monday through Thursday. All teams will play two days a week, so be sure to write down on the sign-up sheet when your team can’t play. The games will be held at the intramural fields north of Interstate 35, under the bridge north of Welch Stadium. The league winners will receive a free shirt for each teammate.

To sign up for kickball, teams must have between nine and 16 people, and sign up is required before Sept. 16. The tournament will be held on Sept. 17, from 4 p.m. until dark. The tournament will also be held at the intramural fields north of Interstate 35. The kickball tournament is free.

For a complete listing off all sports and activities, visit the student recreation Web site at http://www.emporia.edu/recsport, or call the Recreation Programs Department at 620-341-6778. Information can also be retrieved at the Student Recreation Center’s reception desk.

Zac Burt/The Bulletin

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In a time when the economy dictates the decisions of virtually every person and organization, the Emporia State Student Recreation Center is no exception.

The Recreation Center receives its funds through student fees, which are included in tuition. “Our student body pays a student campus privilege fee and that is where we get our operating funds,” said JoLanna Kord, Director of Recreation Services. “The students have access to the recreation center and the swimming pool in HPER because they paid the fees.”

They also receive their funds through intramural leagues that they offer.

“We offer intramural leagues in the fall and spring,” Kord said. “We offer flag football and volleyball in the fall and basketball and slow pitch softball in the spring and they cost $30 to participate in.”

There are three other fitness facilities located in Emporia, which include the Emporia Recreation Center, Walburns and Emporia Fitness.

“I think we have some advantages as well as some disadvantages,” Kord said. “We offer a lot of great services and we open pretty early, however Walburn’s and Emporia fitness do have newer machines.”

The new treadmills at Walburn’s have television screens and the facility has just been remodeled to include a Salon and tanning beds.

“We do plan to replace some of the older machines in the future but due to the current economic situation we have to put that on hold,” Kord said. “We have to pay our workers first and the equipment is still in good condition it is just not as high tech as some of the newer machines available.”

Despite the lack of newer equipment, many students feel that the Recreation Center is sufficient as is.

“I like the equipment they have here and there is always people I know around here,” said sophomore Ben Adams. “I have been to Walburns and Emporia Fitness and I like the equipment here better.”

However some students feel that the Recreation Center gets crowded at times.

“I work out here around four days a week and I like how organized the facility is,” said freshman Nicholas Donovan. “It does seem a little cramped at times but once you get past some minor space issues it is really nice.”

The student recreation center is only open to students and faculty.

“We do not plan to compete against Walburns or Emporia Fitness,” Kord said. “We serve the students and if we were to open to the public that would defeat our purpose.”

Matt Pierce/The Bulletin

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