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Utilizing our Campus Recreation and Wellness resources could be a great way for your student to keep their mental and physical wellness in check!
Associate Director of Recreation and Wellness, Thomas Lail, sat down with us to tell us more about how students can get the most out of Recreation and Wellness:
What are the types of things Recreation and Wellness offers our Seawolves?
Thomas Lail: We offer more than people might think. Everybody's mind will typically go to lifting weights and cardio, running on a treadmill or a track, or something of that nature, but we are so much more than just a gym facility. We offer over 40 fitness classes weekly, including yoga, HITT, spin classes, and Zumba. What’s cool about that is it's your peers teaching those classes.
We also run intramural programming Monday through Thursday; additionally, we support 44 different sports clubs that students can join here on campus, including our award-winning Esports team. So, there is always something for everyone. Aside from just gym equipment, we also have three full-size wood courts for open rec. Students can play pickleball, basketball, indoor soccer, and even badminton. We also offer open swim times, a challenge course for team building, and various leadership-building opportunities.
Lastly, we provide off-campus trips. Every weekend, students get to experience recreational activities beyond the brook. Some of the trips we’ve done include going to Nets and Islander games, indoor rock climbing, outdoor rock climbing, and white water rafting.
How does Recreation and Wellness impact students' lives and change perceptions of recreation?
Recreation and Wellness is very community-based. You start to find people with the same mindset, or similar hobbies, or interests that you can connect with and become friends with. I think Recreation and Wellness take on a lot of hats, and knowing that we can provide whatever form of recreation you might want is important.
We have to remember that recreation can take on a lot of different forms, our Esports team is a great example of that. Recreation, whether it's physical fitness or recreationally playing sports or again playing Esports is also that escape for students, and an avenue to kind of get away from the daily class schedule and homework cycle, and relieve some stress.
What advice would you give to students nervous about starting their fitness journey or getting involved in Recreation or Wellness?
I know it sounds cliche but just do it. You got to just get out there and challenge yourself. These college years are the best time to experiment and to push your boundaries and your comfort zones. You know, everybody who comes into this center, whether they've lifted at home or worked out at home or played soccer growing up, everybody has to start somewhere. There's going to be people in here who are going to have a lot of knowledge on lifting, and there's going to be people who don't, and that’s ok because that’s your chance to know to start somewhere.
How can families support and encourage students to utilize Recreation and Wellness resources?
Parents can help educate students about the available opportunities and encourage them to participate. Remind them they can go and pick up a basketball, join an intramural team, or do something a little less intimidating than going in and trying to lift weights. Maybe it's even joining your student in exploring these resources during breaks.
We also employ a lot of students and provide a lot of opportunities for career growth and the building of transferable skills that are relevant to the workplace with conflict management, leadership, and communication styles, among other things.
To learn more about Campus Recreation and Wellness click here.
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