RecLIFE Fall 2007

REC Contributions

GivingBACK The front of the Student Recreation Center has been renovated in honor of all Texas A&M students and employees, past and present, and our goal is to continue to keep the Rec Center up to date. The Department of Recreational Sports and the Rec Center embody the Aggie Spirit by providing all Aggies with facilities and programs to challenge themselves, test their limits and gain the benefits of sportsmanship.

Together we can help ensure that future Aggies become great leaders, one donation at a time.

Ways to contribute currently include: Participate in the Walk of Champions Brick Campaign

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�Giving Back� to Rec Sports development

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Department of Recreational Sports Endowed Scholarship

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Luther Jones Endowment Fund

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ReachingYou Want to get in touch with Rec Former Student Staff?

Make your Rec Sports connection by joining the Rec Sports Development former student staff and updating your information. A plethora of opportunities are available within the Department of Recreational Sports, and we can customize an opportunity to meet your needs.

R EC Life http://recsports.tamu.edu

Volume 1, Issue 2 Fall 2007

Visit our Web site for information on more ways to get involved: http://recsports.tamu.edu/AboutUs/ Development/Connect.html

TAMU Gymnastics Funds

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Visit our Web site for info on more ways to get involved: http://recsports.tamu.edu/ AboutUs/Development/Opps. html

For more information:

Contact James Welford at jwelford@rec.tamu.edu or 979.862.1856.

Department of Recreational Sports Texas A&M University 4250 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-4250

INSIDE

REC Promise: Reunion Highlights REC Honor: Featuring Les Palmer REC Spotlight: Intramural Champions REC Pride: Staff Updates REC Action: Sport Club Updates REC Contributions: How to Help

REC Action

REC Promise

REC Life

GREETINGS FROM THE REC!

TEAM

Design and Writing:

Josh Collins Writing:

Lauren Bevil Communications Coordinator:

Michelle Briggs Marketing Director:

Connor Heim Associate Director of Development:

Howdy!

As anyone can tell you, traditions are deeply woven into the Texas A&M culture. A tradition we are particularly proud of in the Department of Recreational Sports is that of Aggies supporting Aggies. We’ve recently partnered with the Texas A&M Foundation to establish a number of philanthropic opportunities for folks eager to give back to Rec Sports by way of endowment opportunities. These funds support a number of our sport clubs including Wrestling, Judo, Gymnastics, Men’s Rugby, Men’s Soccer and Men’s Volleyball. Endowments allow clubs to meet their operating expenses now and well into the future. Other sport clubs are also working hard to establish endowments, but they need the help of generous donors to succeed.

“Keep the Aggie Spirit alive and stay in touch with Rec Sports.”

If you have been considering a donation to Rec Sports, now is an excellent time to give; your gift will make a difference now and in years to come. For more information on how to give, contact me at 979-862-1856, on my cell at 979-255-4519 or by e-mail at jwelford@rec.tamu.edu.

Thanks and Gig’Em! James Welford Associate Director of Development

James Welford

2007

Rec Sports

More than 130 guests gathered for Rec Sports Reunion Weekend this past September.

The reunion kicked off Friday, September 28 with a reception to honor Texas A&M 2007 National Sport Clubs Champions.

Members of the Women’s Gymnastic and Men’s Polo and Judo teams gathered at the campus residence of the Vice President for Student Affairs along with invited donors. The program included presentations by club members thanking donors and informing guests 2

RECLife

REC SPORTS

CORE VALUES

REUNION

about the future of the clubs.

After the reception, guests marched over to Kyle Field to join in Midnight Yell Practice.

On Saturday, September, 29, former student staff and friends of the Department of Rec Sports gathered at the Student Recreation Center where attendees enjoyed food, fun and conversation.

They also learned about new and existing opportunities to provide financial support for the department.

With the success of this Fall’s reunion, Rec Sports plans to host a Spring gathering in conjunction with a baseball game.

We hope to make contact with more former student and club participants, and we are working to contact Intramural Champion teams and individuals from years past. If you are an Intramural Champion in any activity and any class, please contact James Welford at jwelford@rec.tamu.edu.

1

Modeling a Balanced, Healthy Lifestyle

2

Integrity

3

Service

4

Respect

5

Quality

6

Leadership

Sportclubs Men’s Volleyball

Current and former Men’s Volleyball Club members play against each other during Alumni Weekend.

Each fall, the Texas A&M Men’s Club Volleyball team hosts Alumni Weekend, during which current and past players come together for a couple of days filled with golf, volleyball, friendly competition, and fellowship. The winning team receives the annual traveling trophy. This year, Rec Sports Development held a banquet afterward to help encourage the continuation of this great Sport Clubs tradition.

“Alumni Weekend proved once again to be memorable. Both the golf and volleyball tournaments were very competitive and enjoyable, for former and current players alike. Overall it was a great success.”

-Scott Henning, president

EVENTS SCHEDULE

SPRING 2008

Men’s Volleyball Alumni and current players shake hands after a match.

Judo

Current Judo Club members on Kyle Field at Midnight Yell.

In September, old and new Aggie judoka got together to renew bonds and reminisce about old times. “We really just wanted to get everyone together,” head coach Bob Perez said. “I thought it would be great for some of the younger players to meet our alumni and get a taste of the history of the team.”

Twenty-one former team members and current team officers attended a gathering at the home of Dr. Dean L. Bresciani, vice president for student affairs. There, it was announced that Texas A&M Judo had successfully reached a milestone: more than $25,000 in the scholarship fund, giving them the Texas A&M Judo Permanent Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Approximately 35 alumni and their families, along with a large number of current Aggie Judo Club members, enjoyed a tailgate gathering in front of the Rec Center the following day as Texas A&M went on to beat Baylor 34-10. recsports.tamu.edu

7

REC Pride

Brian Carey

Rec Honor

Connor Heim Marketing Director

President’s Meritorious Service Award Recipient

The Department of Recreational Sports is extremely proud of Brian Carey, landscape maintenance crew leader, who was presented with The President’s Meritorious Service Award at a special ceremony on December 11, 2007.

This award is bestowed on 20 outstanding individuals from the A&M community each year.

Brian’s role as landscape maintenance crew leader is to ensure that our intramural and sport clubs fields are kept in optimal condition, allowing our students to safely participate in outdoor activities. Brian’s commitment to his job and the students served is second to none.

Brian “can be counted on day in and day out to manage any challenge that is presented to him,” said Rick Hall, senior associate director for Rec Sports. While recalling Brian’s performance when a key staff member was on medical leave, Hall stated, “without Brian’s leadership and dedication we would have struggled to maintain the quality that our students and programs deserve.”

Congratulations to Brian; we are honored to have him as a member of the Rec Sports team!

Christina Hardin Facilities Coordinator

Graduate Assistants Martin Dempsey

Jessica Morris Sport Club Coordinator Michael Keefe Richard Westfall Maintenance Specialist Gretchen Tyson

Welcome, New Staff!

Having lived in Florida almost all of his life, it is no surprise that Eric Hunter found his way back to his native state where he now serves as director of Campus Recreation at the University of South Florida (USF). However, on the road to becoming director, he made one very important stop: Aggieland.

Eric Hunter

Les Palmer

A Great Aggie...Making a BIG Difference

On a spring day in 1923, the town of Hitchcock, Texas welcomed Leslie L. “Les” Palmer. Nobody could have known the legacy little Les would eventually leave behind just 140 miles up the road here in College Station–or the contributions he would make to his country.

After graduating from Aransas Pass High School in 1941, Les entered Texas A&M as a member of the E. Battery Coast and was a part of the Fish Football squad. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor that December, Les was compelled to take action on behalf of his country and joined the Army Air Corps. On October 19, 1944, his 20th mission, he was shot down, wounded and captured. Les was a Prisoner of War in Stalag VII A where he spent six months in captivity before being liberated on April 29, 1945. Not long after, in the Spring of 1946, Les returned to Texas A&M to pick up where he had left off some five years earlier.

While attending Texas A&M, Les was heavily involved with intramural athletics. He was a member of the champion intramural football team in the spring of 1946, and he also served as an intramural official that same year before being appointed as a student co-director for the department in 1947 and 1948.

Hunter attended the University of South Florida in Tampa where he earned two degrees upon his graduation in 1978: one in political science and one in physical education. The following year, he earned a Master’s degree in recreational sports administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Shortly after graduation, he joined the Rec Sports staff at Texas A&M as assistant director of facilities under Dennis Corrington. Knowing Corrington’s reputation for excellence in the field of Rec Sports, Hunter felt this was an excellent first stop in his career and a way to develop professionally.

As a co-director, Les had a talent for looking beyond what is and seeing what could be. Under his leadership many important changes took place including the switch from rubber footballs, basketballs and softballs to leather, implementing uniforms for intramural officials and initiating the Intramural Student Council.

While at A&M, Hunter enjoyed playing badminton with James Welford, officiating high school basketball, and jogging with a group of Rec Sports staff members. An opportunity to return to Florida brought him to the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where we served as assistant director of Campus Recreation before returning to USF, this time no longer as a student but as a staff member. At USF, Hunter has worked his way up the ranks, starting as an assistant director and eventually moving into his present role as director of Campus Recreation.

After graduating in the summer of 1948, Les chose to continue his education and enrolled in graduate school. He received his Master’s degree in the spring of 1951, and he was hired as a tactical officer in the military department of A&M. There, he was placed in charge of two squadrons of Air ROTC cadets. Soon after, he was asked to join the physical education department as an instructor. He began the bowling program and taught a variety of courses in the activity program, as well as safety education in the academic program.

Eric Hunter and Family

Hunter has been married for 27 years to his wife, Darcey, and has two kids: son Dustin, 24, and daughter, Carly, 21.

He is proud of the years he spent at A&M, and still maintains a fondness for the Aggie Spirit.

6

RECLife

Les also had the honor of serving as student advisor, head freshman advisor, and chief department advisor for the physical education department. He was the freshman baseball coach during Paul “Bear” Bryant’s five years coaching football at A&M and also served two years as intramural director before retiring in 1983 as assistant department head.

Of his time as intramural director, Les said, “I was providing part of the university experience and adding to the students’ overall experiences. I was happy to provide the best possible for all the students who chose to take part.”

But even with all the success he has enjoyed, Les reflects that the most rewarding aspect of his career was the impact he had on students. “I enjoyed working with students on a one on one basis, as I could see them grow socially, physically, and intellectually,” said Palmer. “I had a group of students who in later years told me that without my guidance they would not have graduated and would not have led productive lives.

That’s my real reward from A&M.”

“I think intramurals are very important to a student’s complete education. It is a release from the tension of studying and working. It provides physical release and pleasure. The friendships of team mates last long after college days.”

-Les Palmer recsports.tamu.edu

3

REC Pride

REC Spotlight

Intramural

CHAMPS Ask women’s League A Table Tennis championship winner Cecilia Yip why she likes table tennis and you’ll get a simple answer: it’s fun!

For the Champion in Every Aggie

Walk of Champions Brick Campaign Cecilia Yip, Women’s Table Tennis Champion

Yip first came to Texas A&M in 1987 as a student. As a child she enjoyed playing table tennis, but as the years passed by so did her frequency of play. Now, some twenty years later, Yip is a software applications developer for Texas A&M and a member of the Rec. Remembering her fondness for the game, she decided a couple of years ago to give the Intramural Table Tennis league a try. During those couple of years she has developed into an accomplished player.

Cecilia advocates that table tennis is a sport for everyone, no matter what your physical condition. During a recent trip to a table tennis tournament in Houston, Yip found herself intrigued by a particular set of players. “I saw wheelchair players, and their skill was so advanced,” said Yip. She added, “there’s no limit by your ability. You can move your body around and feet around. No matter your size, weight or anything else, you can move around and get good exercise.”

She’s spot on. And with her focus and determination we wouldn’t be surprised to see her name on the championship roster again… and again… and again!

Dual Threat

Twin Sisters Lead Team to the Top

The Centex Champs powered their way through the season and playoffs to become this year’s Women’s Flag Football champions. The team, co-captained by twins Janna and Julie Heller and consisting of members from around the Waco area, dominated all competition on the way to the title. Throughout the season, the Centex Champs outscored their opponents 193-40. Janna played quarterback for most of the games, while Julie lined up numerous times as both tailback and receiver. The twin combo was powerful on both sides of the football and accounted for over half of the team’s touchdowns.

In addition to winning the campus championship, the Centex Champs also represented A&M in the 4th Annual Backyard Brawl Flag Football Championship Games against the rival Longhorns. The University of Texas hosted the event this year and the Centex Champs played in what was easily the most exciting game of the year. Janna Heller and the Centex Champs trailed by six points with only 30 seconds to play in the game. Starting deep in their own territory, Janna threw a long bomb downfield that was caught and set the team up for an opportunity to win the game. With the ball on the 18-yard line and only nine seconds left on the clock, Janna scrambled and decided to tuck the ball and run. The Longhorns, however, made an outstanding flag pull at the one-inch line to keep the Aggies from scoring. Both teams played a great game and the Centex Champs represented Texas A&M well.

The game against t.u. capped off an outstanding season for our Women’s division champion. The Centex Champs will be returning to defend their title next season; they are all underclassmen.

4

RECLife

Take a walk up to the front of the Student Recreation Center and you can’t help but see the Walk of Champions, our special brick program. Walk of Champions gives students, staff, and alumni the opportunity to be a permanent part of the Texas A&M landscape by having their names engraved on a brick that is installed in the display.

It’s exciting to see the Aggie community embrace this opportunity to be part of this special program. Just this Fall alone, we’ve had 82 bricks ordered and installed. While we still have room for more, we will eventually reach our capacity.

There’s no time like the present to order your brick. Purchase one for yourself, as a gift, or as part of an organization.

To find out how YOU can be a part of the Walk of Champions, contact James Welford at 979.862.1856, email champions@rec.tamu.edu, or visit http://recsports.tamu.edu and enter Walk of Champions in the search box.

ATTENTION

FORMER STUDENT STAFF The Department of Recreational Sports, formerly known as the INTRAMURAL DEPARTMENT, is attempting to locate all FORMER STUDENT STAFF! If you worked for the Intramural Department or The Department of Recreational Sports, or if you were a member of a Sport Club, please visit our Web site at recsports.tamu.edu and complete a contact

REC facts in the numbers

Each year, tens of thousands of students participate in our intramural sports programs. While there’s no doubt that intramurals are fun and recreational, students experience much more than just the chance to run around and work up a sweat. Students involved in intramurals enjoy opportunities for leadership by serving as team captains and managers. They learn time management skills by balancing work and play. And many – over 200 this semester alone – benefit financially from working as student officials. Take a look:

Intramural Team Sports Participation Fall 2007 5-on-5 Basketball: 366 teams 3-on-3 Basketball: 94 teams Dodgeball: 35 teams Flag Football: 394 teams 4-on-4 football: 211 teams Indoor Soccer: 213 teams Outdoor Soccer: 228 teams Softball: 279 teams Indoor Volleyball: 181 teams Outdoor Volleyball: 143 teams That’s 2,144 intramural teams, and doesn’t even include individual intramural sport participants! Rec Sports – making participation easy and fun… every day!

form. WE’LL BE IN TOUCH! recsports.tamu.edu

5

REC Pride

REC Spotlight

Intramural

CHAMPS Ask women’s League A Table Tennis championship winner Cecilia Yip why she likes table tennis and you’ll get a simple answer: it’s fun!

For the Champion in Every Aggie

Walk of Champions Brick Campaign Cecilia Yip, Women’s Table Tennis Champion

Yip first came to Texas A&M in 1987 as a student. As a child she enjoyed playing table tennis, but as the years passed by so did her frequency of play. Now, some twenty years later, Yip is a software applications developer for Texas A&M and a member of the Rec. Remembering her fondness for the game, she decided a couple of years ago to give the Intramural Table Tennis league a try. During those couple of years she has developed into an accomplished player.

Cecilia advocates that table tennis is a sport for everyone, no matter what your physical condition. During a recent trip to a table tennis tournament in Houston, Yip found herself intrigued by a particular set of players. “I saw wheelchair players, and their skill was so advanced,” said Yip. She added, “there’s no limit by your ability. You can move your body around and feet around. No matter your size, weight or anything else, you can move around and get good exercise.”

She’s spot on. And with her focus and determination we wouldn’t be surprised to see her name on the championship roster again… and again… and again!

Dual Threat

Twin Sisters Lead Team to the Top

The Centex Champs powered their way through the season and playoffs to become this year’s Women’s Flag Football champions. The team, co-captained by twins Janna and Julie Heller and consisting of members from around the Waco area, dominated all competition on the way to the title. Throughout the season, the Centex Champs outscored their opponents 193-40. Janna played quarterback for most of the games, while Julie lined up numerous times as both tailback and receiver. The twin combo was powerful on both sides of the football and accounted for over half of the team’s touchdowns.

In addition to winning the campus championship, the Centex Champs also represented A&M in the 4th Annual Backyard Brawl Flag Football Championship Games against the rival Longhorns. The University of Texas hosted the event this year and the Centex Champs played in what was easily the most exciting game of the year. Janna Heller and the Centex Champs trailed by six points with only 30 seconds to play in the game. Starting deep in their own territory, Janna threw a long bomb downfield that was caught and set the team up for an opportunity to win the game. With the ball on the 18-yard line and only nine seconds left on the clock, Janna scrambled and decided to tuck the ball and run. The Longhorns, however, made an outstanding flag pull at the one-inch line to keep the Aggies from scoring. Both teams played a great game and the Centex Champs represented Texas A&M well.

The game against t.u. capped off an outstanding season for our Women’s division champion. The Centex Champs will be returning to defend their title next season; they are all underclassmen.

4

RECLife

Take a walk up to the front of the Student Recreation Center and you can’t help but see the Walk of Champions, our special brick program. Walk of Champions gives students, staff, and alumni the opportunity to be a permanent part of the Texas A&M landscape by having their names engraved on a brick that is installed in the display.

It’s exciting to see the Aggie community embrace this opportunity to be part of this special program. Just this Fall alone, we’ve had 82 bricks ordered and installed. While we still have room for more, we will eventually reach our capacity.

There’s no time like the present to order your brick. Purchase one for yourself, as a gift, or as part of an organization.

To find out how YOU can be a part of the Walk of Champions, contact James Welford at 979.862.1856, email champions@rec.tamu.edu, or visit http://recsports.tamu.edu and enter Walk of Champions in the search box.

ATTENTION

FORMER STUDENT STAFF The Department of Recreational Sports, formerly known as the INTRAMURAL DEPARTMENT, is attempting to locate all FORMER STUDENT STAFF! If you worked for the Intramural Department or The Department of Recreational Sports, or if you were a member of a Sport Club, please visit our Web site at recsports.tamu.edu and complete a contact

REC facts in the numbers

Each year, tens of thousands of students participate in our intramural sports programs. While there’s no doubt that intramurals are fun and recreational, students experience much more than just the chance to run around and work up a sweat. Students involved in intramurals enjoy opportunities for leadership by serving as team captains and managers. They learn time management skills by balancing work and play. And many – over 200 this semester alone – benefit financially from working as student officials. Take a look:

Intramural Team Sports Participation Fall 2007 5-on-5 Basketball: 366 teams 3-on-3 Basketball: 94 teams Dodgeball: 35 teams Flag Football: 394 teams 4-on-4 football: 211 teams Indoor Soccer: 213 teams Outdoor Soccer: 228 teams Softball: 279 teams Indoor Volleyball: 181 teams Outdoor Volleyball: 143 teams That’s 2,144 intramural teams, and doesn’t even include individual intramural sport participants! Rec Sports – making participation easy and fun… every day!

form. WE’LL BE IN TOUCH! recsports.tamu.edu

5

REC Pride

Brian Carey

Rec Honor

Connor Heim Marketing Director

President’s Meritorious Service Award Recipient

The Department of Recreational Sports is extremely proud of Brian Carey, landscape maintenance crew leader, who was presented with The President’s Meritorious Service Award at a special ceremony on December 11, 2007.

This award is bestowed on 20 outstanding individuals from the A&M community each year.

Brian’s role as landscape maintenance crew leader is to ensure that our intramural and sport clubs fields are kept in optimal condition, allowing our students to safely participate in outdoor activities. Brian’s commitment to his job and the students served is second to none.

Brian “can be counted on day in and day out to manage any challenge that is presented to him,” said Rick Hall, senior associate director for Rec Sports. While recalling Brian’s performance when a key staff member was on medical leave, Hall stated, “without Brian’s leadership and dedication we would have struggled to maintain the quality that our students and programs deserve.”

Congratulations to Brian; we are honored to have him as a member of the Rec Sports team!

Christina Hardin Facilities Coordinator

Graduate Assistants Martin Dempsey

Jessica Morris Sport Club Coordinator Michael Keefe Richard Westfall Maintenance Specialist Gretchen Tyson

Welcome, New Staff!

Having lived in Florida almost all of his life, it is no surprise that Eric Hunter found his way back to his native state where he now serves as director of Campus Recreation at the University of South Florida (USF). However, on the road to becoming director, he made one very important stop: Aggieland.

Eric Hunter

Les Palmer

A Great Aggie...Making a BIG Difference

On a spring day in 1923, the town of Hitchcock, Texas welcomed Leslie L. “Les” Palmer. Nobody could have known the legacy little Les would eventually leave behind just 140 miles up the road here in College Station–or the contributions he would make to his country.

After graduating from Aransas Pass High School in 1941, Les entered Texas A&M as a member of the E. Battery Coast and was a part of the Fish Football squad. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor that December, Les was compelled to take action on behalf of his country and joined the Army Air Corps. On October 19, 1944, his 20th mission, he was shot down, wounded and captured. Les was a Prisoner of War in Stalag VII A where he spent six months in captivity before being liberated on April 29, 1945. Not long after, in the Spring of 1946, Les returned to Texas A&M to pick up where he had left off some five years earlier.

While attending Texas A&M, Les was heavily involved with intramural athletics. He was a member of the champion intramural football team in the spring of 1946, and he also served as an intramural official that same year before being appointed as a student co-director for the department in 1947 and 1948.

Hunter attended the University of South Florida in Tampa where he earned two degrees upon his graduation in 1978: one in political science and one in physical education. The following year, he earned a Master’s degree in recreational sports administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Shortly after graduation, he joined the Rec Sports staff at Texas A&M as assistant director of facilities under Dennis Corrington. Knowing Corrington’s reputation for excellence in the field of Rec Sports, Hunter felt this was an excellent first stop in his career and a way to develop professionally.

As a co-director, Les had a talent for looking beyond what is and seeing what could be. Under his leadership many important changes took place including the switch from rubber footballs, basketballs and softballs to leather, implementing uniforms for intramural officials and initiating the Intramural Student Council.

While at A&M, Hunter enjoyed playing badminton with James Welford, officiating high school basketball, and jogging with a group of Rec Sports staff members. An opportunity to return to Florida brought him to the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where we served as assistant director of Campus Recreation before returning to USF, this time no longer as a student but as a staff member. At USF, Hunter has worked his way up the ranks, starting as an assistant director and eventually moving into his present role as director of Campus Recreation.

After graduating in the summer of 1948, Les chose to continue his education and enrolled in graduate school. He received his Master’s degree in the spring of 1951, and he was hired as a tactical officer in the military department of A&M. There, he was placed in charge of two squadrons of Air ROTC cadets. Soon after, he was asked to join the physical education department as an instructor. He began the bowling program and taught a variety of courses in the activity program, as well as safety education in the academic program.

Eric Hunter and Family

Hunter has been married for 27 years to his wife, Darcey, and has two kids: son Dustin, 24, and daughter, Carly, 21.

He is proud of the years he spent at A&M, and still maintains a fondness for the Aggie Spirit.

6

RECLife

Les also had the honor of serving as student advisor, head freshman advisor, and chief department advisor for the physical education department. He was the freshman baseball coach during Paul “Bear” Bryant’s five years coaching football at A&M and also served two years as intramural director before retiring in 1983 as assistant department head.

Of his time as intramural director, Les said, “I was providing part of the university experience and adding to the students’ overall experiences. I was happy to provide the best possible for all the students who chose to take part.”

But even with all the success he has enjoyed, Les reflects that the most rewarding aspect of his career was the impact he had on students. “I enjoyed working with students on a one on one basis, as I could see them grow socially, physically, and intellectually,” said Palmer. “I had a group of students who in later years told me that without my guidance they would not have graduated and would not have led productive lives.

That’s my real reward from A&M.”

“I think intramurals are very important to a student’s complete education. It is a release from the tension of studying and working. It provides physical release and pleasure. The friendships of team mates last long after college days.”

-Les Palmer recsports.tamu.edu

3

REC Action

REC Promise

REC Life

GREETINGS FROM THE REC!

TEAM

Design and Writing:

Josh Collins Writing:

Lauren Bevil Communications Coordinator:

Michelle Briggs Marketing Director:

Connor Heim Associate Director of Development:

Howdy!

As anyone can tell you, traditions are deeply woven into the Texas A&M culture. A tradition we are particularly proud of in the Department of Recreational Sports is that of Aggies supporting Aggies. We’ve recently partnered with the Texas A&M Foundation to establish a number of philanthropic opportunities for folks eager to give back to Rec Sports by way of endowment opportunities. These funds support a number of our sport clubs including Wrestling, Judo, Gymnastics, Men’s Rugby, Men’s Soccer and Men’s Volleyball. Endowments allow clubs to meet their operating expenses now and well into the future. Other sport clubs are also working hard to establish endowments, but they need the help of generous donors to succeed.

“Keep the Aggie Spirit alive and stay in touch with Rec Sports.”

If you have been considering a donation to Rec Sports, now is an excellent time to give; your gift will make a difference now and in years to come. For more information on how to give, contact me at 979-862-1856, on my cell at 979-255-4519 or by e-mail at jwelford@rec.tamu.edu.

Thanks and Gig’Em! James Welford Associate Director of Development

James Welford

2007

Rec Sports

More than 130 guests gathered for Rec Sports Reunion Weekend this past September.

The reunion kicked off Friday, September 28 with a reception to honor Texas A&M 2007 National Sport Clubs Champions.

Members of the Women’s Gymnastic and Men’s Polo and Judo teams gathered at the campus residence of the Vice President for Student Affairs along with invited donors. The program included presentations by club members thanking donors and informing guests 2

RECLife

REC SPORTS

CORE VALUES

REUNION

about the future of the clubs.

After the reception, guests marched over to Kyle Field to join in Midnight Yell Practice.

On Saturday, September, 29, former student staff and friends of the Department of Rec Sports gathered at the Student Recreation Center where attendees enjoyed food, fun and conversation.

They also learned about new and existing opportunities to provide financial support for the department.

With the success of this Fall’s reunion, Rec Sports plans to host a Spring gathering in conjunction with a baseball game.

We hope to make contact with more former student and club participants, and we are working to contact Intramural Champion teams and individuals from years past. If you are an Intramural Champion in any activity and any class, please contact James Welford at jwelford@rec.tamu.edu.

1

Modeling a Balanced, Healthy Lifestyle

2

Integrity

3

Service

4

Respect

5

Quality

6

Leadership

Sportclubs Men’s Volleyball

Current and former Men’s Volleyball Club members play against each other during Alumni Weekend.

Each fall, the Texas A&M Men’s Club Volleyball team hosts Alumni Weekend, during which current and past players come together for a couple of days filled with golf, volleyball, friendly competition, and fellowship. The winning team receives the annual traveling trophy. This year, Rec Sports Development held a banquet afterward to help encourage the continuation of this great Sport Clubs tradition.

“Alumni Weekend proved once again to be memorable. Both the golf and volleyball tournaments were very competitive and enjoyable, for former and current players alike. Overall it was a great success.”

-Scott Henning, president

EVENTS SCHEDULE

SPRING 2008

Men’s Volleyball Alumni and current players shake hands after a match.

Judo

Current Judo Club members on Kyle Field at Midnight Yell.

In September, old and new Aggie judoka got together to renew bonds and reminisce about old times. “We really just wanted to get everyone together,” head coach Bob Perez said. “I thought it would be great for some of the younger players to meet our alumni and get a taste of the history of the team.”

Twenty-one former team members and current team officers attended a gathering at the home of Dr. Dean L. Bresciani, vice president for student affairs. There, it was announced that Texas A&M Judo had successfully reached a milestone: more than $25,000 in the scholarship fund, giving them the Texas A&M Judo Permanent Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Approximately 35 alumni and their families, along with a large number of current Aggie Judo Club members, enjoyed a tailgate gathering in front of the Rec Center the following day as Texas A&M went on to beat Baylor 34-10. recsports.tamu.edu

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REC Contributions

GivingBACK The front of the Student Recreation Center has been renovated in honor of all Texas A&M students and employees, past and present, and our goal is to continue to keep the Rec Center up to date. The Department of Recreational Sports and the Rec Center embody the Aggie Spirit by providing all Aggies with facilities and programs to challenge themselves, test their limits and gain the benefits of sportsmanship.

Together we can help ensure that future Aggies become great leaders, one donation at a time.

Ways to contribute currently include: Participate in the Walk of Champions Brick Campaign

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�Giving Back� to Rec Sports development

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Department of Recreational Sports Endowed Scholarship

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Luther Jones Endowment Fund

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ReachingYou Want to get in touch with Rec Former Student Staff?

Make your Rec Sports connection by joining the Rec Sports Development former student staff and updating your information. A plethora of opportunities are available within the Department of Recreational Sports, and we can customize an opportunity to meet your needs.

R EC Life http://recsports.tamu.edu

Volume 1, Issue 2 Fall 2007

Visit our Web site for information on more ways to get involved: http://recsports.tamu.edu/AboutUs/ Development/Connect.html

TAMU Gymnastics Funds

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Visit our Web site for info on more ways to get involved: http://recsports.tamu.edu/ AboutUs/Development/Opps. html

For more information:

Contact James Welford at jwelford@rec.tamu.edu or 979.862.1856.

Department of Recreational Sports Texas A&M University 4250 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-4250

INSIDE

REC Promise: Reunion Highlights REC Honor: Featuring Les Palmer REC Spotlight: Intramural Champions REC Pride: Staff Updates REC Action: Sport Club Updates REC Contributions: How to Help