Rec Insider - February-April 2013

Stephen F. Austin State University

Volume 4, Issue 2 February - April 2013

6th Annual Earth Day Celebration - Page 2 Work out on the go from SFA Campus Rec Fitness - Page 6 Stories from former SFA Rodeo Club members - Page 8

Letter from the

Director

Hello!

I am happy to report that Campus Recreation once again is fully staffed. In fact, we have more full time staff than we ever have before, and that brings a lot of excitement and expectation. We are expecting to see significant growth in many program areas and to build upon the great work done by previous staff. In addition, we have started our equipment replacement plan and would love to have you come check out any of our new machines.

Some of the staff and I will be at the NIRSA national conference the first week of March and are looking forward to connecting with old friends and learning some great things to bring back to SFA. Most of us are also presenting at the conference as well. It is truly a blessing to work with the staff that I have been able to work with at SFA, both those who served before and those currently working to provide programs and services for the SFA community. All are true professionals who have the respect of not only our SFA community, but are also respected in the Collegiate Recreation field.

Spring 2013 Campus Recreation Staff Ken Morton Director Janice Casper Office Manager Kelley Consford Administrative Asst.

Scott Wagner Facilities & Member Services

As we prepare nationally to celebrate a century of Collegiate Recreation, I have to express how blessed I am to have been able to work in this field for the past 20 years. I have worked with so many professionals and student staff that inspired and taught me and who allowed me to help them in some way on their own professional journey. I look back with fond memories and look forward to many more as we work together to serve our respective campuses and the students who mean so much to what we do.

Kate Bridges Fitness & Wellness Cody Kuykendall Intramural Sports, & Camps Evan Coulson Outdoor Pursuits

With thanks and gratitude,

Suzie Heffernan Aquatics & Special Events Travis Lankford Sport Clubs & Camps Kati Van Dunk Promotions & Sponsorships

1817 Wilson Drive • Nacogdoches, Texas 75962 Phone: (936) 468-3507 • campusrec@sfasu.edu Page 1

IMPORTANT EVENTS

Campus Recreation strives to promote physical, emotional, intellectual, socio-cultural, environmental, spiritual, and career/financial health for all who participate. You can see how each of our program areas enhances each of these areas of wellness in the 2012-2013 Calendar on our website at www.sfasu.edu/campusrec.

Rugby to host annual tournament this spring SFA Rugby will be hosting their annual all-day rugby tournament, Rugbyfest, on Saturday, April 20 at the SFA Intramural Fields. Rugbyfest is a collegiate tournament in which schools from around the region can register.

Any collegiate team (men’s or women’s) can register for the tournament. A schedule for the day has not been released yet, but the team plans on starting games at 9am.

Our SFA Rugby club will be competing in the tournament again this year, so come out to the SFA Rugby pitch and Intramural Fields to support them! This is an annual tournament SFA Rugby has hosted for 25 years.

SFA and Nacogdoches communities already gearing up for Earth Week This year, Earth Week will commence with SFA’s Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20. This outdoor festival is sponsored by Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Pursuits program, the Campus Recreation Sustainability Committee, the SFA Student Sustainability Coalition, SFA Gardens, the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Nacogdoches Naturally and Nacogdoches community entities including The Healthy Nacogdoches Coalition and Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful.

The Earth Day celebration will be held at the SFA Tucker House on Raguet Street from 10am to 2pm and will be presented alongside the SFA Spring Garden Gala Plant Sale, so guests are encouraged to come out and enjoy both events!

Join us in celebration while discovering inspiring ways to live simply and sustainably.

For more Earth Week events, please visit the Campus Recreation website at www.sfasu.edu/campusrec.

Like us on Facebook Campus Recreation- SFA Rec Center

Follow us on Twitter SFACampusRec

Read our blog www.sfasucampusrec.blogspot.com

Watch our videos on YouTube SFACampusRec Page 2

SFA Campus Recreation Celebrates Fitness with NIRSA! “February 22, 1950, is NIRSA’s founding date, and in 1999, members voted to proclaim this a day to focus on, celebrate, and share the positive benefits of recreational sports, fitness and wellness.

Collegiate recreation — the programs, facilities, and dedicated professionals which have grown into a mainstay of today’s college experience — also celebrates an important milestone in its wider evolution!

2013 celebrations for a Centennial of Collegiate Recreation, which will honor the extensive service to students and institutions of higher learning through dedicated recreational sports departments!”

- NIRSA website

Last year, SFA Campus Rec celebrated NIRSA Recreational Sports & Fitness Day with a Treadmill Challenge for SFA Faculty and Staff and SFA student groups. Teams competed to see who could run the farthest in one hour. Participating staff included Campus Recreation, Student Affairs, and Admissions. Student Affairs prevailed and were rewarded with a decorated axe handle trophy.

Traditions Council, Campus Recreation, and Orientation student teams competed, with Orientation students coming away with the victory. Not only did this event promote fitness, it was also a fun way to engage professionals and students from across campus in the NIRSA initiative. (See pics to right.)

For 2013, Campus Recreation will be hosting a Fitness Challenge on our new state-of-the-art Expresso bikes. The competition will feature a competition for teams of SFA faculty and staff biking as far as they can in a set amount of time. There will be a similar competition for student groups.

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“ From the time schools started devoting spaces and resources to campus recreation, 100 years of evergrowing commitment to programing, participation, inclusion, and outside-of-the-classroom learning has prevailed for students and faculty in higher education.

Collegiate recreation has flourished from a hodgepodge of opportunities that originally catered only to the needs of a small percentage of students to comprise a well-integrated, inclusive range of offerings that inspire millions of students every year.

The transformation experienced in collegiate recreation’s programs and facilities would not have been possible without parallel growth in its body of professionals; an expansive network of innovative leaders have become an integral part of the educational experiences necessary to prepare students for long and fulfilling careers. NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation is committed to nurturing this community of innovative leaders and is excited to celebrate their rich history.”

- from the NIRSA website: http://www.nirsa.org/wcm/About_Us/History/Centennial_of_ Collegiate_Recreation/wcm/About_Us/History/Centennial/ Centennial.aspx

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

An Interview with Blaze Platt with Kati Van Dunk

Campus Rec Employee and Nationally Recognized Collegiate Angler Hear how Blaze Platt has been balancing working at Campus Rec and fishing for the SFA Bass Team, a club that has a history of excellence in the collegiate fishing world.

Q: How long have you worked at SFA Campus Recreation and in what areas?

A: I have been working at the Rec for 3.5 years and have been a Sport Clubs Assistant for a semester,then moved over to Maintenance Assistant.

Q: What is your Classification, Major, and Expected graduation date?

A: Junior, Spatial Science, Fall 14 Q: What do you like about working at Campus Rec? A: When I first took a job here I liked how flexible the hours can be and the ease of being able to come and

go from home, class and work. But after being here, the rest of the staff and regular patrons have made the job more than that.

Q: How do you balance work and being on the SFA Bass Team?

A: The staff here has always helped me by letting me work around an always complex schedule.

Q: What has been your best SFA fishing experience?

A: The best experience I have had fishing while at SFA has to be winning the FLW Southern Conference Championship this last October and bringing the title back in 2012 after another SFA team won in 2011.

Q: Why did you join the Bass Team, and what do you get out of it?

A: I decided I was going to join the bass club at SFA when I was 16 years old as a sophomore in

high school and use it as a step up to pursue a professional fishing career. At the time I never realized just how far this dream would take me.

Q: What are your plans post-graduation?

A: I know the next step in pursuing a career in professional fishing is a big one, so I have a decision to make.

I can either keep fishing and scrape by or stop fishing for a couple years and settle myself financially before fishing again. The spatial science field of study is growing around the clock so I feel pretty good in getting a job right now.

Check out Blaze’s Angler Profile at www.flwoutdoors.com. You can also see the SFA Bass Team schedule at results at www.sfasu.edu/campusrec.

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FITNESS AND WELLNESS

WORK OUT on the N

Time? Crunch Time!

GO

You can always find time to fit in a good work out. While it is very easy to get consumed by school, work, and various important things, it’s good to set aside time for yourself and keep up with an exercise routine. Staying active will help you stay relaxed and relieve your stress level during this busy time of the year. With this work out, there is no need for weights or equipment.

Start out by getting your heart rate up:

WARM UP

30 seconds of jogging in place, followed by 30 seconds of high knees (perform this exercise by bringing knees up to parallel with the hips, like marching at a fast pace).

CARDIO&STRENGTHENING

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JUMP SQUATS:

Begin in a squat position with your feet spread out slightly more than hip width apart, knees should be directly above the ankles, and thighs should be parallel with the ground. Then begin jumping up, reaching your arms above your head and return into the original squat position. Repeat 20 times.

PLYO SPLIT LUNGES:

Begin in a lunge, right leg forward, the right knee should be directly above the right ankle, while the left leg is extended back with a slight bend. Then proceed by jumping up and switching legs, to where the left leg is in front. Then return back to the starting position, right leg in front, this is one repetition. Repeat 15 times.

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2

PLANK HOLD:

Start in a plank position, forearms planted firmly on the ground with a diagonal line going straight from your neck down to your heels, no bottoms going up and no hips sinking down. Keep your core tight the entire time. If needed, you can drop down onto your knees, keeping the diagonal line from your neck to your knees. Hold in this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

BURPEES:

This exercise is a combination of several exercises; you will begin in a standing position. Then you will bring your hands down to the floor, while bending your knees. You will then jump back into push up position, do one push up and jump your feet back up to your hands, then jump up into standing.

Repeat 15 times.

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REST&REPEAT

Rest for 2 minutes then repeat the entire routine one more time, and you will be good to go for the day!

Always consult your physician before starting an exercise regimen. For more exercises or to see these exercises properly demonstrated, watch the “Home Workout with Sarah” video on the SFA Campus Rec YouTube page!

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BLAST FROM THE PAST Where They Are Now An update on former Campus Rec employees

Matt Sitser attended SFA from 2000 to 2004 and received a degree in Communications. He worked at the Intramural Office for Janice Casper during his time at SFA as an office assistant.

Matt was very involved in SFA Rugby. His favorite memory playing rugby was playing Texas Tech in Lubbock during the 2003-2004 season. “They were one of the favorites for the conference that year, and we totally destroyed them 36-5, I think.”

“Playing Rugby at SFA we did tried to do everything 100% - no matter what it was - and we held each other accountable.”

Matt says he played with a bunch of guys he stills consider my best friends and keeps in touch with most. “Some fall off the radar Matt (second from right) & other 02-03 all-star SFA Rugby players for a little while, but we all get together at least a couple of times a year. The guys I played with are spread around the country. We have a pretty diverse group, working in lots of different fields. It is really funny because we were all so different, and have all chosen different paths, but we remain pretty close.”

Matt currently works for an advertising agency in Dallas. His advice to current Sport Club players: “Practice, practice, practice. If you want to be number 1 train like you’re second.”

Alex Reed worked for Campus Rec for 4.5 years, starting as a basketball official.

He loved it so much, he came back for football the next year. Alex later became a game supervisor, then ultimately a site manager He earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from SFA. When asked his best experience working at Campus Rec, he couldn’t pinpoint it to just one. “I was an All-American Basketball Official and got to go to some sweet Universities to officiate and play. But the best part about working with Campus Recreation was all of the people I met. Everyone I worked with was awesome and then I got to know a lot of the fraternities and athletes just by being out there with them so much. So the friendships I built would have to be the best.”

Alex says he is currently “living the dream.” He is a physical education teacher at Ford Elementary and a football and track coach at College Park High School. “I get paid to play dodgeball with little kids and then go coach high school sports.”

When asked how working for the Rec prepared him for his current position, Alex says. “I learned early that I was not always right and needed to learn from my mistakes, especially as an official. Also being a player of a sport then also an official of a sport I was able to see the game from all angles. Now I am coaching and I use all of those phases and experiences to help my athletes get better.”

Alex’s advice to current employees is to enjoy the ride, learn from everyone, and meet everyone. “You’re at SFA to better your future, and you never know what the person next to you will be doing in 2 or 10 years. I made many friends that I stay in touch with now because of the friendships I built through Campus Rec.” If you are a former Campus Rec employee or participant and want to be featured in this newsletter, please contact us at campusrec@sfasu.edu or 936-468-5844. Please include your experiences working at SFA Campus Recreation and what you’ve been doing since your time at SFA. If possible, please also include a recent picture.

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Where Are YOU NOW? An update on former Sport Club participants

SFA RODEO

The SFA Rodeo Club was founded in the late 1930s or early 1940s and is a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and competes in the Southern Region. Their rodeo was the first event to be held at the Nacogdoches Expo Center and was an annual event for over 50 years. That first year, the club sold baked goods to raise money for the rodeo. Over the years, the club has had many former members stick around and help out. Here are a few of their stories.

Harold ”Stony” York was in the rodeo club from 1971-1977 as member and competitor. He received a degree in Ag Education from SFA. His best experience in the rodeo club was helping with the annual NIRA Rodeo and competing in the bareback riding and saddle bronc events. “And of the course all the dances after the rodeo club meetings..fun, fun, fun!!” says York.

According to York, the club was very active on campus. He notes, “Lot of great members and worth while causes performed, such as our yearly Christmas visit to the Lufkin State School. We had a super advisor in the late Lee Griffin. He made sure we stayed accountable but had good fun in the time we had at SFASU.” Some of the people York competed with while at SFA were Allan Welch (saddle bronc), Leland Sweeny (roping), Doty Thompson (barrels), Tony Dawson (team roping), and Mary Gibbs (barrel racing). He has kept up with several of his former team members over the years, including Allan Welch (who has since passed away) and Tony Dawson, a local farrier.

Harold is currently self-employed under Harold “Stony” York Insurance for 33 years. He manages his farm, where he takes care of his cows, chickens, dogs, horses, and “Grand-babies!” York is also the manager for all food and beverage at the Lufkin XPO Center, Lufkin, Texas. When asked how competing in the rodeo club helped prepare him for the future, he responded, “Freshman year, had leading sales for ads for our rodeo; showed me I had sales ability, which I have used for my 33 years in sales. Being president (of the club) helped grow my leadership abilities” His advice for current members: “Enjoy your college time, learn all you can from others by all the interaction with other students and take it with you into your chosen career.”

James Phifer attended SFA 1996-1997 working on a photography degree. During his time in the rodeo club, he notes that the club

was the largest organization on campus, with over 175 members. Says Phifer, “We had to have meetings in the ballroom in the Student Center.” In addition to the annual rodeo, the club also had social functions, a float in the homecoming parade, trash pick up along Highway 59, and helped with the PRC Rodeo. Phifer says his best experience was selling sponsorships for the rodeo.

While at SFA, Phifer competed with Scott Davis (now works in Public Relations for PBR), Adam Schulze (now a bullfighter for the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association), Creed Roberts (PRCA announcer, rode bareback at SFA), and Mike Mathis (now a Lufkin rodeo announcer). Phifer says he stills keeps up with former club members often, as he is the current club alumni advisor.

Phifer is currently a rodeo photographer for PRCA, out of Nacogdoches. He says that competing in the club taught him how to sell sponsorships and put on a rodeo from scratch: “It taught the members the nuts and bolts of planning a rodeo. A club member could graduate and step right into a professional association. From stock contractors to judges to sponsorships, planning the SFA Rodeo gave them experience in all of these areas.”

If you have team pictures from your time at SFA and want to be featured in this newsletter, please contact us at campusrec@sfasu.edu or 936-468-5844. Please include names of your teammates if possible, as well as any other information about the picture, event, date, etc.

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Sport Clubs NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

SFA Baseball Club already making hits

Men’s Lacrosse to host series

The new Baseball Club has shown a promising start in the National Club Baseball Association Division VII West. In February, Jonathan Fletcher was awarded Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week by the NCBA. Brandon King was also awarded Pitcher of the Week, and Noah Adam was recognized as the Player of the Week in February. The team swept Sam Houston in a weekend series and also has wins against Texas State and UT-Austin.

SFA Lacrosse will be hosting a series of games on March 2-3 on the SFA Sport Club Field.

The University of Houston, Sam Houston, and MaryHardin Baylor will be travelling to Nacogdoches to play.

The NCBA also came out with their Top 15 for this past week and SFA received enough votes that they nearly cracked the top 15. They are currently number 17 amongst Division II teams.

To check up with the baseball club, visit www.clubbaseball.org/Div2/Default.aspx.

The schedule is as follows: •Saturday: SFA vs University of Houston at 3pm and Sam Houston vs Mary-Hardin Baylor at 5:30pm •Sunday: Mary-Hardin Baylor vs SFA at 11am This is the first time the Lone Star Alliance has elected to host this type of series here at SFA.

Castonguay and Kendrick of SFA win Bucketmouth Tournament Battling heavy rain and thunderstorms, teams competing in the SFA Bucketmouth Bass Fishing Tournament on Lake Sam Rayburn competed against more than just each other. However, after two days of fishing, Alec Castonguay and Jay Kendrick (SFA) finished in first place with a 36.27 pound bag. In second place was the University of Louisiana-Monroe team of Brett Pruett and Blake Alford (31.11). The Sam Houston team of Jason Gunter and Kenny Barnes rounded out third (30.76).

In January, SFA duo Kyle Turner and Blaze Platt qualified for the 2013 FLW Regional Tournament with a 6th place finish in Del Rio (12.15).

According to bassfishing.com, SFA currently sits in first place as a team and as individuals! Axe’Em! Want to get in touch with old club members? Please e-mail us at campusrec@sfasu.edu or call 936-468-6051 and give us some details about your experience with the club program, when you were a part of the club, and who you are looking for. We will do everything we can to help.

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Donate to the

Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Scholarship Fund The Campus Recreation Department is excited to announce the creation of the Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship is created to provide financial assistance to current student employees of the Campus Recreation Department.

Dr. Raymond “Ray” Worsham was the Intramural Department Director at SFA for 43 years prior to the creation of the Campus Recreation Department.

Dr. Worsham was the keystone to the Intramural Department for more than four decades and his dedication and lasting impact is something that we will celebrate for decades to come with the creation of this scholarship. Under Dr. Worsham, intramural sports flourished to the highest numbers the program has ever seen. Thousands of students spent nights playing on the intramural fields, in the HPE and around campus over Dr. Worsham’s tenure.

The strong intramural tradition lives on through our current sport offerings, THE intramural champ shirt, the contact we have with former student athletes in the program and we are privileged to honor him with this scholarship.

For more information about the Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Endowed Scholarship, please contact Janice Casper, Campus Recreation Office Manager at jcasper@sfasu.edu or call 936-468-1569.

If you would like to donate to the Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Scholarship Fund, please follow these simple steps: 1. Visit www.sfaalumni.com/donations/ 2. Select “Donate Online” next to SFA Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

3. Select Alumni Scholarship Fund as the donation type and specify “Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Scholarship.”

4. Complete all required information.

5. Submit your donation.

You can also join the Alumni Interest Chapter on the SFA Alumni website to follow Nacogdoches Alumni Chapter events.

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