All posts by achesbr

RecWell Rewind – Signature Student Development and Leadership Program Launched

By dedicating full-time staff resources, Recreation and Wellness launched the Student Development and Leadership Program (SDL) in 2007, which offered students additional leadership training.

Through the development of the SDL program, BGSU Recreation and Wellness became an early innovator within the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), the governing body of collegiate recreational sport. Lona Leck, assistant director of marketing and student employment explained that “the purpose of these events is to provide students with something greater than just the basic work experience. These events help educate students on different topics, to help make them more well-rounded in the workplace, as well as in their daily lives.” Participation contributes to the acquisition of a BGSU Leadership Certificate for qualified and enrolled students.

The Student Development and Leadership program provides training that includes a philosophical orientation of the field of leadership through a series of workshops. SDL workshops offer hands-on educational experience and prepare individuals for lifelong career development and personal growth. Participants develop an appreciation for engaged leadership while inspiring active and healthy lifestyles.

In order to promote student learning, all SDL sessions are grounded in theory. The anchors for theoretical support are Kouzes and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, BGSU Pillars for Student Success, and BGSU’s Core Values. Facilitators are mindful of these connections when creating programs.

Each year the programs are geared to meet Student Affairs Learning Outcomes as well as adhere to the core values set forth by the University. The programs cover a variety of topics including: an annual session on diversity, customer service/conflict management, interviewing skills, resume development, hot button topics, and student interests.

For more information on the History of Recreation and Wellness, visit our website.

RecWell Rewind – Falcon Field House Design Approved

The final design for the Falcon Fieldhouse was approved by the Board of Trustees on Friday, April 13, 1990.

An UndergApproved Design of the Falcon Field Houseraduate Student Government (USG) poll of 162 students conducted in February 1990 revealed that 95 percent showed support for the new facility. The building had to be financed through Interest-bearing bonds and student fees financed over a 15 year period. However, the same USG poll showed that 94 percent showed support for the construction using general fees.

The primary purpose of the new 130,000 square-foot facility was to house intramurals and physical education classes. A major benefit of the fieldhouse was the ability to move intramurals indoors during inclement weather. Use of the building included physical education classes during the morning hours, varsity teams during the afternoon, and intramurals in the evening.

According to interim director of the fieldhouse Ron Zweirlein, part of the University’s planning for the new facility included visits to similar facilities at other campuses. By examining the strengths and weaknesses of existing facilities, and Ron Zweirlein was quoted as saying “my area of expertise is in the design of facilities of this type and this is one of the nicest I have ever seen.” Trustee Kevin Coughlin noted that the building was designed to house sporting activities, not spectators, and plans were not included for bleachers.

Visit our website to learn more about the History of Recreation and Wellness.

RecWell Rewind – Department of Recreational Sports Formed

The Department of Recreational Sports (Rec Sports) was formed in 1992.

The Department was formed to encompass the Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs programs, which were moved from the College of Health and Physical Education (HPE) (now HMSLS), as well as the Perry Field House, which was under construction.

Visit our website to learn more about the History of Recreation and Wellness.

RecWell Rewind – Recreation Facility Committee Formed by Michael R. Wilcox

Michael R. Wilcox, a 1975 University graduate, formed a student committee to determine student interest in a recreation center in September 1974.

Prior to the comMike Wilcox Head Shotmittee formed by Wilcox, University President Hollis A. Moore appointed a group in May, 1973 to study campus recreation needs. The group recommended the construction of an indoor facility as a long range project due to limited funding.

In the fall of 1974, Wilcox, then student representative to the Board of Trustees formed a student committee, and the board members allocated money to fund trips to view other universities’ facilities.

In order to gauge the interest in a campus recreational facility, Wilcox sent out a survey to 2,000 University students. The survey revealed that most students were interested in a recreational facility and also willing to pay for it. Students were told that the initial cost would be a “substantial amount of money” and additional fees would be charged when the facility opened. To gain additional support, slide presentations of recreational centers at other universities and the current BGSU facilities were shown in the residence halls and at organizational meetings. In May 1975, a petition with 7,800 student signatures supporting the concept of a recreation center to be funded by student fees was submitted to the Board of Trustees. The board then made the decision to support the construction of a recreation center funded by student fees.

Although Wilcox graduated in 1975, he maintained contact with University officials about the progress of the recreation center.

Visit our website to learn more about the History of Recreation and Wellness.

RecWell Rewind – Fitwell Program Established

The Fitwell Program was started in 1985 to offer a scientifically designed, personalized fitness program.

Dr. Bowers Doing an AssessmentThe objective of the Fitwell program was to encourage people to assess their health status, make an effort to improve it, and learn how to maintain good lifestyle habits. The program was directed by Dr. Richard Bowers, professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and a certified exercise program director through the American College of Sports Medicine.

The Fitwell program was an optional service available to all members of the Student Recreation Center, and it included the use of state of the art equipment located in the L.I.F.E. (Leisure Information and Fitness Evaluation) Room in the Student Recreation Center. Services offered include a health and lifestyle audit, a treadmill test, a body composition analysis, a blood pressure assessment, and a cholesterol test and analysis. Based on the results of the cholesterol test, the Fitwell staff could direct clients to nutritional counseling through the Well or another campus agency.

Once clients completed the tests, they had the option to join a 12-week supervised exercise program or a self-directed exercise program. If enrolled in the 12-week program, clients also received fitness tips and an alternate aerobic exercise modes. After the 12 weeks, the client received a reevaluation of the past tests.

The program equipment was purchased for an estimated $20,000 with additional equipment being added as the program expanded. Funding was provided through donations by private citizens and corporations.

FitWell Logo

Over the years additional programs were added to Fitwell. An option for faculty and staff offered in the 90’s was the Out-to-Lunch-Bunch. Cathy Swick, assistant to the Dr. Bowers and Others Using Equipmentdirector, described the program as a semi-supervised exercise program aiming towards improving an individual’s overall health. The program was based on pre and post tests. The Senior Fit for Hire program was also developed in the 90’s and promoted the health and fitness or senior students who would soon be joining the workforce. In this program, students were provided with a certificate stating that the individual was “concerned about fitness and interested in their health.”

By 1994 Fitwell was servicing about 1,500 to 1,800 clients a year.

Visit our website for more information about the History of Recreation and Wellness.