Staff Highlights

Rec Sports STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

Amber Guthrie | Graduate Assistant, Banquet & Conference Services

Congratulations to Amber Guthrie, Rec Sports Banquet and Event Services Graduate Assistant, for winning first place for her research at the Cotton Bowl 1% Competition. Dr. Shane Hudson supported her research titled, “Organizational Management and Marketing Strategies: A Case Study of the Administrative Effectiveness of the Texas A&M & Cotton Bowl Classic’s Student–Volunteer Grassroots Marketing Campaign.” Amber also presented her research at the College Sport Research Institute Conference in South Carolina in March 2022.

Nick Heiar | Director, Intramural Sports

Congratulations to Nick Heiar for receiving the 2022 Division of Student Affairs (DSA) Award of Distinction! By thinking creatively, Nick maintained the competitive aspects for intramurals throughout COVID-19 and launched Esports during this time. He brings excellence and works hard, creating positive outcomes for the almost 14,000 intramural participants annually. Under his leadership, a new model for intramural fees was implemented, a cricket league was formed, Unified Sports has blossomed, and new partnerships created, all for the benefit of our students. “To be nominated by my students, colleagues, and supervisors is a great feeling, and I would like to thank them, along with the students that have allowed me to serve them over the years.” Well done, Nick!

Chelsea Jones | Graduate Assistant, Sport Clubs

Congratulations to Chelsea Jones, Sport Clubs Graduate Assistant, who was recently elected as the new NIRSA National Student Leader. This is a tremendous honor and will be an incredible experience for her. She is slated to graduate in May 2023 with a M.S. in Sports Management. Chelsea noted, “As a Canadian now studying at a U.S. institution, I am excited to lean into my experiences from both places, unite students from all regions, and share the unique opportunities NIRSA and the campus recreation profession provides.”

Anna Taggart | Director, Fitness & Wellness

Congratulations to Anna Taggart for receiving the 2022 Division of Student Affairs (DSA) Award of Distinction! Anna is known for developing De-Stress Fest and being actively involved in NIRSA. She is currently co-chair of the DSA Staff Wellbeing & Appreciation Committee, a DSA student conduct investigator, and a member of the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Working Group. During the pandemic she tirelessly led her team and offered hundreds of fitness and wellness classes online for Aggies. Anna commented, “I am so grateful to be able to serve and live out the mission of our program, department, and division by helping to improve the well-being of the Aggie community.” We are happy for Anna and looking forward to what she comes up with next.

DJ Scott

Personal & Small Group Training Coordinator

Rec Sports welcomes DJ Scott as our new Personal and Small Group Training Coordinator. DJ earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Florida Atlantic University and his Master’s in Sport Management at Texas A&M University. While at Texas A&M he was the Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant at Rec Sports and is passionate about fitness and nutrition. DJ is excited to help our Aggies achieve their wellness goals.

Rec Sports hires students as personal trainers and small group coaches and is always seeking more. The department offers a personal training certification prep course every year for those interested in becoming a trainer. DJ noted that “Personal trainers and coaches participate in many development opportunities such as paid admission to educational conferences, performance evaluations, and access to a variety of resources.” In addition to technical knowledge and skills, students learn transferable and leadership skills that will help them succeed after graduation.

Rec Sports is exploring additional training options at our new Polo Road and Southside Rec Centers in the future and incorporating small group offerings for specific groups across campus. Our small group training program is a great way to get involved with fitness at Texas A&M and to meet new people.

DJ encourages everyone to get active in a way that works for them. He recommends figuring out a fun way to move more often, getting your close friends or family involved with you, and remembering that you deserve to be in any fitness facility as much as anyone else. Welcome back DJ, we can’t wait to see what you do at Rec Sports!

“I am happy to be back at Rec Sports and build our personal and small group training programs,” said DJ, “I also look forward to working with our great group of personal trainers.”