Rec Insider - Summer 2016

REC INSIDER SUMMER | 2016

: Y R O T S COVER

Summer

YOUTH Programming: CAMPUS RECREATION STYLE

RECreate Yourself.

From the Director Welcome to the latest edition of the Rec Insider!

FEATURES + COVER STORY ON...

4 SPOTLIGHT Chris Morriss, Intramural Sports & Camps Katie Yandell, Aquatics & Safety Amie Simmons, Fitness & Wellness

CORNER 7 RECIPE Crab Cakes, Baltimore Style Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich Spaghetti Carbonara

& WELLNESS 8 HEALTH Traveling Safely for the Summertime STORY 10 COVER Summer Youth Programming THE OUTDOORS 12 DISCOVER Summer is Better in Texas NEWS 14 ALUMNI Steve Dooling

Ah, the warm days of summer have started!

And around here that means we wind down from the Spring Semester and gear up for the summertime fun. Inside you can read about the fantastic programs for kids that Campus Rec has to offer. Little Jack Rec Camp, Learn Ken Morton to Swim programs, and Parent’s Night Out are all geared to not only keep your kids busy and having a good time, but to learn valuable lessons too.

You can also read about three of our new full time staff members that started with us this past semester. We are looking forward to seeing all the great things they will bring to our programs and hope you get the chance to get to know them better. We also include some great tips for traveling and even recommendations on places to visit in Texas.

This time of year is also gives us the chance to see many staff graduate and move on to new frontiers and start their professional lives. We hope they take the lessons learned while working at Campus Recreation with them and wish them the best in their new endeavors. Thank you all for your work with our Campus Rec family! I’d like to give a special thank you to our graduating GAs Rachel Nanez and Corey Eiffert. Corey left us back in December with a full time job offer in hand at the University of Arizona.

Rachel has been instrumental in running the Aquatics and Safety program while we were searching for our new coordinator. She did an outstanding job during that time and I appreciate her dedication, openness, and ability to lead even in tough times.

With that said, it’s time to break out the sunblock and hit the pool for some “water quality research”!

Axe’Em Jacks!

Cody Kuykendall Assistant Director Facilities & Member Services Grace Saldaña-Romero Business Supervisor Kelley Consford Administrative Assistant Travis Lankford Assistant Director Competitive Sports & Camps Chris Morriss Coordinator Intramural Sports & Camps Steven Whitman Coordinator Outdoor Pursuits Dan Harbuck Challenge Course Manager Katie Yandell Coordinator Aquatics & Safety Amie Simmons Coordinator Fitness & Wellness Jessica Waguespack Coordinator Employee Wellness Sarah Kouliavtsev Coordinator Promotions & Sponsorships Graduate Assistants: Sonia Nieto - Fitness & Wellness Rachel Nanez - Aquatics & Safety

SUMMER / 2016

HAPPENINGS & EVENTS

For additional details on events and special hours, visit www.SFASU.edu/CampusRec.

MAY

4th / DeStress Fest

♦●6th / Family Fun Night 8th / Mother’s Day

30th / Memorial Day Holiday 30th / All Facilities Closed

16th / Maymester begins 16th / Summer Hours at the Rec begin 16th / Maymester Hours at the Pool begin

14th / Spring Commencement

/ Learn-To-Swim (LTS) - Summer ♦●27th Session 1 Registration Closes

JUNE

♦●13th / LJRC - Session 2 begins ♦●27th / LJRC - Session 4 begins / LTS - Summer Session II Registration ♦●13th Closes

9th - 13th / Final Exams

1st / Maymester ends 6th / Summer I begins

♦●

14th - 15th / Special Hours at the Rec: 12p - 5p

6th / Summer Hours at the Pool begin 6th / Little Jack Rec Camp (LJRC) - Session 1 begins

JULY

4th / Independence Day

19th / Father’s Day

♦●20th / LJRC - Session 3 begins / 4th Annual Worsham Bass Fishing ●25th Tournament ♦●18th / LJRC - Session 6 begins / LTS - Summer Session IV ♦●18th Registration Closes

♦●25th / LJRC - Session 7 begins / LTS - Summer Session III Registration ♦●5th Closes 4th / All Facilities Closed

7th / Summer I ends

♦●11th / LJRC - Session 5 begins

AUGUST ♦●

1st / LJRC - Session 8 begins 13th / Summer Commencement

- 14th / Special Hours at the Rec: 12p ♦●13th - 5p

- 20th / Summer Interim Hours at the ♦●15th Rec: 10a - 8p

21st / Summer Interim Hours at the Rec: 12p - 8p

29th / Fall Semester begins

22nd - 25th / All Facilities Closed - Summer Maintenance and Staff Training 26th / Move In Day 26th / Regular Fall Hours begin 26th / Welcome Back: Decades Party

LEGEND

▶EMPLOYEE WELLNESS FACULTY/ STAFF PARTICIPANTS ONLY

TO SFA & NACOGDOCHES ●OPEN COMMUNITIES

♦GREAT FOR KIDS! 3

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Chris Morriss

Intramural Sports & Camps Coordinator When did you start? And what was your first impression of the department?

I started February 1st. My first impression of the department was that everyone seemed to be really passionate about their individual departments and also campus rec as a whole. Also, one of my first impressions was that the facility was still in amazing shape for being almost 9 year old.

Where were you working and what were you doing previous to moving to Nacogdoches?

Before moving to Nacogdoches I attended the University of NebraskaLincoln for my under graduate degree where I graduated in the spring of 2014. After finding out I had a strong passion for Campus Recreation I decided to pursue this as a full time career. This led me to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD where I studied Kinesiology and Sport Science with an emphasis in Sport Management. I graduated from the program in December of 2015 and started working at SFA about a month later.

What has been your favorite part of the job so far?

My favorite part of my job so far has to be the students I get the privilege of working with every day.

Many of them are very passionate

about the Intramural Sports program and it makes my job fun each day to work with students that aren’t just here for a pay check but have really bought into the program. This also made the transition into my new position here very smooth. I was able to ask them questions about how they felt everything was going and I think we have a good plan moving forward.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I enjoy officiating sports. Before moving to Nacogdoches I was working college football and women’s basketball. This is something that I believe helps me be better at my job here at SFA, as I learn more about officiating, I am able to pass that knowledge onto my staff. When I am not officiating, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, we have both really enjoyed Nacogdoches and have found many different things that we enjoy doing.

Where are you from? Where did you go to school?

I am originally from Grand Island, Nebraska. I graduated high school in 2009 and immediately went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where Ibounced around from major to major before finally landing in the Teacher’s College. I studied math education and graduated with

my degree in the spring of 2014.

After Lincoln, I received a Graduate Assistant position at the University of South Dakota in the Campus Recreation department. In this position I oversaw intramurals and sport clubs.

What is a special talent you have that not many people know about?

I guess mine isn’t really a talent but I was elected to the National Flag Football Hall of Fame as an official this year. This would have to be my great success that has come from a talent that I have with officiating. Oh, and I will take anyone on in Call Of Duty on Xbox…. Trust me… you will lose.

What is something you hope to accomplish while at SFA?

Something that I hope to accomplish while at SFA is to raise the number of teams participating in intramural sports and continue to help officials have success at the regional and national level in extramural sports tournaments.

Beyond that, I also hope to grow as a professional in the Campus Recreation field. I plan on doing this by being very active within SFA Campus Recreation, the SFA campus as a whole, and NIRSA Leaders in Collegiate Recreation. ●

SUMMER / 2016

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Katie Yandell

Aquatics & Safety Coordinator When did you start? And what was your first impression of the department?

The 22nd of February was a warm and rainy day. As I walked through the Student Recreation Center, I was immediately greeted by friendly smiles and introductions. If first impressions really do last a lifetime, SFA Campus Rec will forever have the best of impressions embedded in my mind. The facility is spotless, the equipment modern and diverse, the students and staff friendly and welcoming. I don’t think there could be a better impression.

Where were you working and what were you doing previous to moving to Nacogdoches?

Before coming to SFA I was the Aquatic and Special Programs Coordinator for the City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department. I directed and created instructional classes/programs for our Safety City program, a childsize town where we taught safety classes to children of all ages. We were able to integrate fire education, and expand our teachings and community outreach to over 50,000 people a year. I was also responsible for outdoor advertising which included obtaining sponsors for Safety City, Santa Land (a special event), and our Adult Sports Leagues. In addition to those duties, I ran the concession stand for the Adult Softball Leagues at our four field facility from February to November. Concurrently staffing, supervising, and facilitating summer swim programs at four public pools. During the winter months I became a Grant Writer and Special Events Coordinator. Lubbock hosts a special two-week special event called Santa Land. This event is free to the public, and includes a place to see and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Clause, live entertainment, lights and displays to cover a five acre area complete with a concession stand and five fire pits. Needless to say I wore many hats and usually all at the same time!

What has been your favorite part of the job so far?

My favorite part of the job so far has to be my constant interaction with the student staff. Most of the students are engaging, enthusiastic, and the others are at least entertaining. I am right where I wanted to be professionally; in a collegiate setting working with young and enthusiastic students while challenging them in my element, the water.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I have a very large family. With four children, we spend as much time outside as we can. Some of our favorite activities include going for walks, Continued on page 9...

5

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Amie Simmons

Fitness & Wellness Coordinator When did you start? And what was your first impression of the department?

I moved to Nacogdoches on April 16, and I started work on April 18, 2016. The department was so welcoming and helpful with my transition to SFA, they really made it feel like home.

Where were you working and what were you doing previous to moving to Nacogdoches?

Before SFA, I was working at the University of South Dakota as the Fitness and Wellness Graduate Assistant as well as getting my Masters in Kinesiology. As a GA, I continued teaching group fitness classes, training clients, and developing my management skills in the office. I was able to gain experience planning and coordinating events like Community Health and Wellness Day, Zumba Parties, Les Mills Launches, etc.

I also received hands on experience managing a mixed staff that consisted of students and community. My last year as a GA, the Associate Director of Fitness and Aquatics allowed me to be the main supervisor for the group fitness staff. Through that opportunity, I was able to run meetings each month, plan the semester, holiday, and summer schedules, and deal with the everyday issues that might come up in a campus rec facility.

What has been your favorite part of the job so far?

So far, the fitness and wellness

employees have been a lot of fun to work with.

My first week here I got to meet each employee one on one and get to know a little bit about where they are from and what they want to get out of their experience here at SFA. All of the students have made this transition really easy for me and I am excited to continue to get to know all of them.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I like to get out and explore Nacogdoches and all the unique eateries it has to offer. Other than that, I am usually laying by the pool, it’s so refreshing to be able to get a tan in April.

Where are you from? Where did you go to school?

I was born in South Houston but I grew up in Indiana. I did my undergraduate studies at Indiana University in Exercise Science and Dietetics… Go Hoosiers.

What is a special talent you have that not many people know about?

My Halloween makeup skills are pretty good. I love to do makeup and face paint special effects.

What is something you hope to accomplish while at SFA? My goal is to empower students/members to pursue their passions for fitness and wellness. I want to continue to push people to get out of their comfort zone and find things that they love to do. Along with that I look forward to continuing my education and experience in the health and wellness field. ●

SUMMER / 2016

RECIPE CORNER

Crab Cakes – Baltimore Style

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Makes: 8 patties Cook Time: 6 minutes

Ingredients • 1 pound cooked chicken breast, shredded • 1/2 cup diced red onion • 1/2 cup diced apple • 2/3 cup grapes, halved • 1/3 cup dried cranberries • 1/4 cup sliced almonds • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more, to taste • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • 4 rolls ciabatta bread, toasted, for serving

Ingredients • 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 1 large egg, beaten • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce • 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat, picked over • 20 saltine crackers, finely crushed • 1/4 cup canola oil • Lemon wedges, for serving Directions In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce until smooth.

In a medium bowl, lightly toss the crabmeat with the cracker crumbs.

Gently fold in the

mayonnaise mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Scoop the crab mixture into eight 1/3-cup mounds; lightly pack into 8 patties, about 1 1/2 inches thick. In a large skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the crab cakes and cook over moderately high heat until deeply golden and heated through, about 3 minutes per side.

Transfer the crab cakes to plates and serve with lemon wedges.

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich Makes: 4 servings

Directions In a large bowl, combine chicken, red onion, apple, grapes, dried cranberries or currants, sliced almonds, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, to taste.

Serve sandwiches on ciabatta bread with chicken mixture.

• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan • 4 slices bacon, diced • 4 cloves garlic, minced • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves Directions In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; reserve 1/2 cup water and drain well.

In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan; set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes; reserve excess fat.

Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Reduce heat to low.

Working quickly, stir in pasta and egg mixture, and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired. ●

Spaghetti Carbonara This is one of those dishes that comes together in 15 minutes or less with just five ingredients of spaghetti, bacon, garlic, Parmesan and eggs. And if you’re skeptical about the raw eggs, it actually gets cooked through completely from the residual heat.

Just be sure to work quickly so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs. Plus, with the crisp bacon bits, you just can’t go wrong with this dish!

Makes: 4 servings Cook Time: 15 minutes Ingredients • 8 ounces spaghetti • 2 large eggs

7

HEALTH & WELLNESS

e m i t r e Summ

Traveling Safely for the

By Jessica Waguespack

Summer is a time to slow down, relax, travel and most importantly, spend time with friends and family. Whether you have long-standing travel plans, a last minute road trip in mind, or just sticking around town this summer, don’t forget to give some thought to your summer travel to ensure everyone arrives safely and can enjoy the trip. Follow these summer travel safety tips.

the bag at the airport, or let it out of your sight.

Blend in as much as you can.

The more you stand out, the more you brand yourself as someone who is unfamiliar with the location,

Keep your valuables on you while in transit.

It’s a good rule of thumb to leave irreplaceable items back at home such as: expensive jewelry, your birth certificate, or family heirlooms.

For any valuable items that you must travel with (passport, camera, medicine, credit cards, etc.), use a day bag to keep the items safe all day long.

But don’t forget, don’t place this bag into the luggage hold on a bus, check

Check in regularly. Let people know where you are each day.

It’s beneficial to let at least one friend or family member know your general schedule each day in addition to providing them with a copy of your itinerary that includes: your flight numbers and your accommodations.

Plan ahead of time how you’ll check in and how often, whether it’s through daily emails, or texts.

Research your destination thoroughly before your trip.

Planning and researching your trip is almost as fun as actually traveling. Before you leave for a trip, take time look up safety information for where you are headed. How will you get around? Are there only certain kinds of taxis you should take?

What is public transportation like? Also, talk to a doctor or nurse about where you’re going to help determine if you need any vaccinations.

same purse that you carry on a daily basis. Choosing a different purse will cause you to take longer to find different items; ID, ChapStick, keys, etc., therefore drawing attention to yourself.

which makes you more vulnerable to criminals. Instead, research your destination in advance to observe

Stop your mail and newspaper if gone for an extended period of time.

While you want to make sure you’re safe while on vacation, you want to make sure that your belongings back home are “Seventy percent of Americans are planning a safe too. Call your vacation in 2016” - www.travelindustrywire.com local post office and city newspaper to have your mail how people dress, and try to pass and newspaper stopped while away as a local, or as a longtime expert. on vacation. You can also ask a Another helpful tip is to carry the neighbor to pick up your mail and newspaper. Other safety precautions while you’re away from home include

SUMMER / 2016 putting several household lights on timers so they turn on and off at appropriate times. These precautions will help eliminate drawing attention that you are not home.

Continued on page 9...

Traveling Safely for the Summertime, continued...

Don’t post on Facebook and other social media sites.

Although it’s fun posting all your pictures and updates on your trip to social media sites, it’s also a green light that tells outsiders you’re not home for an extended period of time. Instead wait until you’re home from traveling to post pictures.

If traveling by car, plan out regular stops for gas and stretch breaks.

Road trips are a great way to see the world, but can also cause you to travel a route that you’re unfamiliar with in regards to gas stations.

Before you leave, plan out your stops to ensure you’ll never run low on gas, but to also plan the valuable breaks to stretch your legs. Also, fueling can be more expensive on the weekend, fill up middle of the week.

If traveling with kids, don’t forget the games, videos, and snacks.

Give your kids a fun assignment that involves them in the trip, such as marking off your travel route. Keep them busy by making binders for each child that includes a coloring book, blank paper, crossword puzzles and activity sheets. Don’t forget to include a zipper bag of crayons and writing utensils. ●

Spotlight on Katie Yandell, continued...

swimming of course, and playing at a park. Personally, I love cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family.

across campus to be able to provide exciting opportunities for students such as research in aquatics and student development. ●

Where are you from? Where did you go to school?

I am originally from Natchitoches, LA where I grew up most of my life. I started my collegiate career at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA until I realized I had no idea what I wanted to do in life. I had a mini mid-life/academic crisis and moved with my family to Missouri. I then went to State Fair Community College for a year and figured out that water was my passion.

I received an Associate’s Degree and proceeded to the University of Central Missouri to earn my Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in rehabilitation. I went back home to get my Master’s Degree in Sport Administration from Northwestern State University.

What is a special talent you have that not many people know about?

I don’t know if I would say I have a special talent. My husband would say that I am a good cook so that may be considered my talent.

What is something you hope to accomplish while at SFA?

SFA Campus Rec has really great facilities and I want to be able to have programs and services that highlight our staff and facilities to others on campus. I want to increase student attendance and participation specifically at our aquatic facilities. I would also like to create relationships

9

COVER STORY

Summer

YOUTH

Programming: CAMPUS RECREATION STYLE The SFA Campus Recreation Department offers an exciting and fun filled youth recreational program to the SFA and local Nacogdoches community every summer. For parents, grandparents, or guardians seeking a day camp for children, swim lessons, or an adult’s night out, SFA Campus Recreation has it all.

Little Jack Rec Camp

focus is on making each session impactful, enjoyable and jam packed with fun.

“Little Jack Rec Camp provides an athletic outlet for the kids in the Nacogdoches community, and is a healthy alternative to sitting around all summer. Our camp staff works to emphasize teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship in a stimulating environment.”

Kids will engage in a wide variety of activities and skill games, designed around their age group and skill level, which includes swimming, crafts, basketball, group exercises, snack time, movies, and much more! Kids will have swim time each day in the outdoor pool, or can play in the courtyard which has basketball and sand volleyball courts. For kids who want to develop their skills in the pool, they can take swim lessons in the mornings, while they’re at Camp.

One of the largest youth programs this summer at Mr. Key praises the facility and the staff. The Campus Rec, is program “takes the guess work out of what to Little Jack Rec do with the kids during the summer.” Jeffery Camp. This Ghiringhelli is another parent whose kids recreational day have attended multiple sessions each year. He camp, which is loves listening to the stories his kids tell him open to kids ages 5 – 12, kicks off June 6th, Anthony Key is a parent from the local on the way home after camp, saying,“We’ll and is divided into eight, week long sessions. community whose two kids have attended continue sending the kids to camp as long as Parents can sign kids up for one session, all multiple Little Jack Rec Camp sessions each they are eligible.” eight sessions, or any number that works for “The [swim] lessons were great for my son Drake! He received a lot of them. The sessions are one on one structured swim instructions that were both informative designed like a normal school week, Monday and fun. The classes were small and you could tell that the instructors through Friday, with each day being a typical school enjoyed what they were doing. ” - Trey Anderson, parent day. Kids move from activity to activity, just as if they were moving year. His kids really love and look forward from class to class. Each session is designed to the camp when summer comes around. to provide kids with five days of fun and Other summer programming that is available “Both of them are very active, love sports and adventure. is the Learn-to-Swim program which includes recreational activities, and enjoy the social group, private and semi-private swim lessons. opportunities that Little Jack Rec Camp Travis Lankford, the Assistant Director of Swim lessons are open to kids and adults of provides.”

Competitive Sports and Camps, has been in all skill levels. Individuals taking lessons are charge of Little Jack Rec Camp for six years, placed in groups depending on their age and with this summer being his seventh. His skill, and move through the lessons based on

Learn-To-Swim

SUMMER / 2016

their progress. Skills that participants can learn are lap lane swimming, swimming techniques, and diving skills in the diving well.

Trey Anderson is another parent from the local community, whose son takes swim lessons.

“The lessons were great for my son Drake!

He received a lot of one on one structured swim instructions that were both informative and fun. The classes were small and you could tell that the instructors enjoyed what they were doing.

Drake asked if we were going to go to swim class every day that summer because he enjoyed it so much. I can highly recommend the classes to anyone who would like their child to be better prepared for the many safety concerns associated with swimming.”

COVER STORY

Campus Rec staff will watch the kids, while their parents have an evening to themselves.

Parents’ Night Out is like LJRC, and is open to kids age 5 - 12. Kids will have predetermined activities including swimming, dinner and movie time. Our summer 2016 dates include: June 10th, June 24th, July 15th, and July 29th. In addition to Parents’ Night Out being available during the summer, fall and spring dates are also offered.

To register for Little Jack Rec Camp, the Learn-to-Swim program, Parents’ Night Out, or for any questions, come by the Campus Recreation Administration Office. ●

Campus Rec offers numerous Learn-toSwim group lessons that fit busy summer schedules. For those that cannot take swim lessons during the summer time, the Learnto-Swim program is available year-round.

Parents’ Night Out

Campus Recreation also encourages parents to take advantage of Parents’ Night Out. From 6:00 p.m. – midnight on four select Friday nights throughout the summer,

11

DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS

Summer is better iN

Texas

With summer finally upon us, memories flood my mind of time spent outdoors, while not in school. Being a Florida native and Texas transplant, I can attest to the high temperatures and the temptation to stay inside as much as possible. However, for most of us, this is the time of year where there is more time to travel, spend time with loved ones and kids, and explore. With the majority of Americans spending more time each day behind a desk, take some time to get outside this summer. Research shows that being outside has fantastic mental and physical health benefits for adults, not to mention developmental boosts for children.

To help you plan an outing, current SFA students who work at Outdoor Pursuits Program have shared some of their favorite places to visit near Nacogdoches and around the state. Whether it’s a day trip or overnight, grab your loved ones and get outside! You will be glad you did!

this location the perfect weekend getaway. Even though I consider this trail an actual hike rather than a “nature walk”, it is an easy trail that beginners could handle.

There is a large pond with a waterfall at the beginning of -Steven Whitman, Coordinator - Outdoor Pursuits the trail that I enjoy relaxing I chose to by, once I enroll at SFA have completed because I was the trail. The impressed constant rhythm with the of falling campus’s water provides natural the perfect beauty. Since environment for I’ve started me to college, my reflect interest in over the the outdoors trek and has taken off and I have experienced life in general. I’ve also seen many outdoor adventures around other hikers enjoy fishing the area. Of my adventures, I would and even swimming in this say that one of my favorite places pond. At the end of the trail, to go is the Old Sawmill Trail in the there is an old sawmill that Angelina National Forest. The one hour commute from campus makes

has an eerie sense of history which makes this location memorable. The uniqueness from surrounding trials has made each visit/adventure to Angelina National Forrest enjoyable.

I definitely recommend hiking the Old Sawmill Trail to anyone that is around the area looking for a relaxing weekend in the great outdoors.

-Aubrey Baker – Class of ‘17 If feeding wild animals and searching for dinosaur tracks sound interesting to you (and even if they aren’t), then Glen Rose, Texas is still the place to be. Located approximately 80 miles southwest of Dallas, Glen Rose is a small town that boasts two of the most unique trip destinations in Texas: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and Dinosaur Valley State Park.

Fossil Rim has been a personal favorite of mine as you get to drive the 9 mile road through the center feeding wild animals such as giraffes, zebras, and scimitar-horned oryxes.

The Overlook, located halfway through, has a petting zoo for children, café and picnic area. I would advise

SUMMER / 2016

using a car where all the windows can roll down, so everyone will be able to feed the animals. No Jeeps or open cars are allowed. The weekday admission fee is $22 for adults and $16 for children (age 3-11), while the weekend fee is $26 for adults and $20 for children. Summer hours are 8:305:30PM. I highly recommend packing a lunch to picnic on the overlook and slowly driving through the park to maximize the amount of animals you see and feed.

Only about 10 minutes away from Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is Dinosaur Valley State Park. The park, set on the outskirts of Glen Rose is well known for the dinosaur tracks littering the creek bed floor throughout the park.

The entrance fee is $7 daily for adults and free for children below the age of 12, and campsites are available with and without water/electricity.

The park offers several activities such as: swimming in the creek (where the dinosaur tracks are), 20 miles of hiking trails, and horseback riding (bring your own horse). Dinosaur Valley State Park brings back several memories of wading and swimming right next to the dinosaur tracks and attempting to find them in the creek.

A large watering hole upstream offers a chance for everyone to cool down and picnic while leaving enough space for everyone. So come out and camp with the dinosaurs under the stars and have a great time!

-Casey Byrne – Class of ‘17

My favorite outdoor activity to do in the hot Texas summer is swimming. The hill country has several state parks that are perfect for a summer time camping trip.

One state park I always went to growing up was Pedernales Falls State Park.

Pedernales Falls SP is located only an hour west of Austin and the river is great for swimming. There are falls sections where the water flows a little faster, and then there are sections of the river that are perfect for floating in an inner tube where large cypress trees line the banks of a smooth flowing river. There are primitive and electric campsites available if you wish to make it a weekend trip. There is an entrance fee of $6 per person (free for children 12 and under).

My second favorite state park to go to for swimming is Inks Lake State Park.

Inks Lake State Park is only 1 hour and 20 minutes west of Austin. At Inks Lake there is a beautiful swimming hole and plenty of hiking. There are over 200 campsites and 22 cabins available. The entrance fee for Inks Lake is $6 per person (children 12 and under free). As the summers in Texas are rather hot, swimming is the best outdoor activity to do. There are so many swimming places in central

Texas all within 2 hours of Austin, but Inks Lake and Pedernales Falls are my two favorites because of the many memories from my childhood, swimming with my family during the summer.

Shelby Jackson – Class of ‘18 At an hour and forty five minutes from SFA campus, Tyler State Park is a small, but bountiful getaway within the Piney Woods area. The park offers boating, fishing, swimming, 13 miles of trails for hiking or mountain biking, and designated camping grounds for anybody who just wants to take a walk in the woods close to home. Open daily and only charging $6 per person for entry into the park, it offers a reprieve from the daily grind and is available to both people looking for a weekend getaway while still being available for a simple day event. With fantastic views on the park trail system overlooking the lake and other parts of the area, Tyler State Parks makes for great place to get away from the noise and rush of the urban environment to relax, soothe, and forget one’s worries.

Even if it’s only for the weekend!

-Erick Alvarez – Class of ‘17 ●

13

ALUMNI NEWS

Steve Dooling

Operations Coordinator, University of Houston Campus Recreation some point at SFA. From budgeting, supervision, training and development, the list goes on and on. I had an opportunity to do it at SFA!

Do you have any advice for our current students and/or GA’s?

When were you at SFA? And what was your position?

June 2011- May 2013, Graduate Assistant for Fitness and Wellness

What would you say was the biggest challenge you faced while at SFA?

While at SFA, myself and my peer, Chrystina Wyatt, spent the majority of our time without a direct supervisor.

Our Assistant Director was initially on maternity leave and then accepted a position with another university.

I spent the majority of my two year graduate assistantship reporting directly to the Director of Campus Recreation.

How has your time at SFA prepared you for your current position?

It immensely prepared me. To an extent, everything that I’m doing in my current position, I did it at

Take advantage of the opportunity!

SFA is a great place to learn; in the classroom as well as on the job. The great professors and staff members are always available to help and do a great job of challenging individuals.

What is your favorite memory from you time here at SFA?

There are so many. Trips to Tonkawa, Accidentally Awesome, and road trips to NIRSA conferences all make the list but I would have to say that my days in the gym with my old workout partner, Kenny Norris, top the list. We spent our lunches getting huge, but also talking about everything from sports to the daily grind of the job. I learned a lot and gained a mentor.

In three words, describe your time at SFA. “Alright, alright, alright….” ●

SUMMER / 2016 This scholarship was 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.

2016-2017 Recipient An honors student with a 3.42 GPA majoring in Finance, he has worked for Campus Rec for two years. He says that, in that time, he has grown a lot as a person, and that Campus Rec’s “student development mentality” has played a major role. He goes on to share that his biggest success story (so far) that he can attribute to his employment at Campus Rec is his professionalism, interpersonal skills, and interview skills.

In addition to being a Head Lifeguard and Operations Manager here at the Rec, he currently holds the Philanthropy chair of his fraternity and is involved with Greek Wide, a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ International.

Ken Morton (Director), Kaleb Castor, and Sarah Kouliavtsev (Alumni Committee Chair)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

about the Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Scholarship contact Promotions & Sponsorships Coordinator Sarah Kouliavtsev at (936) 468.5844 or via email

Kouliavtsg@sfasu.edu

One of his letters of recommendations described him very accurately, and I’d like to share that quote with all of you: “[He] is a high character guy. He is polite and respectful. He has a selfless and caring heart that drives him to want to invest in the lives of people.”

Congratulations!

- Sarah Kouliavtsev, Alumni Committee Chair

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SUMMER / 2016

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SFA Campus Recreation is committed to developing a culture of Lumberjack wellness through excellent facilities and inclusive experiences in adventure, fitness, sport, and play.