All posts by Drew LaFollette

Forrest Creason’s Inaugural Turkey Open

Golf

Area golfers have the opportunity to play a unique round of golf and win a turkey just in time for Thanksgiving. Sunday, November 15, Forrest Creason Golf Course hosts the Inaugural Turkey Open. The layout of the course differs for the scramble event compared to the usual format, and the winning team receives a turkey.

The four-person scramble is not a typical round of 18 or 9 holes of golf. Instead, the Inaugural Turkey Open consists of 12-hole, cross country golf.

“We have made up 12 new holes,” said Director of Golf at Forrest Creason Golf Course Kurt Thomas. “For example, we will tee off on top of the hill and go to the 13th green and tee off on the 14th hole and go to the seventh green. We will also have some interesting pin placements to make it more challenging.”

Entry into the Inaugural Turkey Open is limited to 12 teams of four people. According to Thomas, those participating can expect “a new experience on the course with a lot of fun and socializing.”

The cost of the Inaugural Turkey Open is $50 per team and includes golf, a cart, and prizes. The event begins with a shotgun start at noon. Entry is limited, so interested teams should sign up soon. Entry forms are available by the visiting the Forrest Creason Golf Course Web site.

RecWell Opportunities for Student Employment and Experience

Aquatics, Golf, Ice Arena, Intramural Sports, Learn to Swim, Outdoor Program, Perry Field House, Student Employee Programming, Student Recreation Center

Recreation and Wellness employs BGSU students in a variety of different areas creating career and leadership development opportunities. Available positions can be found at all of the department’s facilities, such as the Student Recreation Center (SRC), Ice Arena, and Forrest Creason Golf Course. Additionally, there are four different levels of positions. A position’s level reflects its responsibilities, any required experience or certification, and salary.

Morgan Montgomery is an Intramural Student Supervisor with Recreation and Wellness, and has been for nearly one year. He has been with the department for a total of two and a half years, beginning as an official for Intramural Sports.

“It’s been great. There is camaraderie, our staff is close,” said Montgomery. “For a job like this in school, you can’t beat it.”

Employment at Recreation and Wellness contributes to the professional development of students and supplements classroom learning with real life experience.

“My job has prepared me for managing and directing people,” stated Montgomery, a construction management major. “Not everyone gets that, dealing with people and having a staff. The management of people will help.”

Considering his experiences working for Recreation and Wellness’ Intramural Sports Program, Montgomery recommends student employment with the department.

“I can’t think of another job on campus where you meet the people you meet here, enjoy your job, and get to be around athletics,” said Montgomery.

As Intramural Supervisor, Montgomery is responsible for on-site supervision, inspection of facilities and equipment, and evaluation of scorekeepers and officials amongst other duties. Other supervisory roles, such as the Perry Field House Supervisor, share similar responsibilities. Both positions are categorized at level four.

In order for a student to work his or her way up to positions in levels two through four, entry into a level one position is encouraged. These positions, such as Climbing Wall Attendant and Golf Course Maintenance Attendant, allow the student employee to become familiar with a specific aspect of Recreation and Wellness. The Climbing Wall Attendant is responsible for customer service and maintaining climbing wall safety, while the Golf Course Maintenance Attendant’s duties include mowing the greens, tees, fairways and roughs.

After spending time working in level one positions, student employees have the chance to move up to positions with more responsibilities and higher pay. SRC Pro Shop Manager and Zamboni Room Associate are examples of level two positions. The SRC Pro Shop Manager supervises the Pro Shop Attendants, completes shift sales reports, and does periodic inspections of facilities and equipment. Duties required of the Zamboni Room Associate include training of the Zamboni Room staff and setting up the ice for games.

Certain positions may require outside certification. The Learn-to-Swim Instructor position requires an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification. While this position is at level three, its unique certification does not require applicants to have a prior work history with Recreation and Wellness at a level one or two position. Many of the other positions in the department require First Aid and CPR certification.

For more information on positions available and contact information, please visit the Recreation and Wellness Student Employment Web site.

BGSU Helps Community Learn to Skate, Swim

Aquatics, Ice Arena, Learn to Skate, Learn to Swim

Recreation and Wellness’ Learn to Skate and Learn to Swim programs provide the Bowling Green community with the ability to learn valuable recreation and exercise skills. Group skating and swimming lessons at BGSU are available for individuals of varying ages and skill sets.

The Learn to Skate program offers eight different types of classes for individuals of various ages and experience levels. Participants’ age can range from three-year-olds to adults. Those enrolling in the classes can expect to learn the basic skills of skating from instructors with a highly proficient level of skating experience.

“A comprehensive base of figure skating or skating skills will be learned,” stated Ice Arena Staff Assistant Laura Dunn. “When someone signs up they receive practice time and a punch card to use during public skate.”

Dunn stressed the skills taught are done so in an engaging manner.

“We have fun,” Dunn noted. “We teach our skills through games and props. We try to not just teach skills, but make them fun.”

In addition to options based on age and experience, classes can vary depending on the style of skating the participant wants to learn. Classes focusing on recreational skating, figure skating, and hockey are available.

“Skating can be a lifelong sport,” said Dunn. “It’s a fun activity to do at all ages. We like to teach everyone the basic skills. Skating can help teach determination, time management, and practice skills.”

Classes are grouped into six week sessions with classes occurring once a week on either Sundays or Mondays and are held at the Ice Arena. Learn to Skate’s “Fall Session 2” starts Sunday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 4. After “Fall Session 2,” the next session will start up after the holidays on Sunday, January 10. Cost of the lessons is $60 plus a one-time per year (July 1 through June 30) $10 United States Figure Skating registration fee. Please visit the Learn to Skate Web site for more information.

In addition to the Learn to Skate program, BGSU also offers a Learn to Swim program. The swimming lessons are available to anyone ages six months through adult and are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors. Class size ranges from four to six participants. Classes are held at the Student Recreation Center (SRC) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The second Fall session begins on Tuesday, November 3. These small group lessons cost $75 for SRC members and $82.50 for non-members. Private and semi-private lessons are also available by appointment. Cost for private and semi-private lessons varies by lesson length. For more information, please visit the Learn to Swim Web site.

Group X Classes Keep BG Fit

Fitness

The Fitness Program provides students and community members with the opportunity to improve and maintain good health. BGSU’s Fitness Program offers Group X classes at the Student Recreation Center (SRC) in flexibility, cardiovascular, and strength.

“There are 30 total classes offered for participants,” said Fitness Program Graduate Assistant Layne Davis. “Within these 30, there are there are 12 different types of classes offered this Fall Semester.”

The classes offered range from kickboxing to yoga, and are lead by certified, professional instructors.

“We have a little bit of everything,” stated Davis. “You are bound to find some type of exercise you enjoy, and if you enjoy it, you are more likely to do it!”

Among the more popular classes are AeroSpin, and Ab-Solute. AeroSpin is a spinning class with a format including climbs, jumps and sprints, and Ab-Solute strengthens the midsection.

Previous experience should not deter anyone thinking of attending a Group X class.

“All fitness levels are welcome to our Group Exercise classes,” Davis encouraged. “The instructors are trained to show modifications and help those who are beginners. However, if someone has an underlining health issue or an injury, it is always important for them to consult a doctor before beginning any exercise program.”

Reaction and feedback from participants in Group X classes has been positive.

“They love the instruction and motivation provided by the group exercise instructors,” noted Davis. “They also enjoy working out with friends and having fun while they do it.”

Group X passes cost $35 for students and SRC members and $45 for non-members. The pass gives the individual unlimited access to all Group X classes and can be purchased at the front desk of the SRC. For more information, please visit the Fitness Program’s Web site.

Intramural Sports Enrich University Experience

Flag Football, Intramural Sports

Intramural Sports provide an important service to BGSU students. BGSU’s Intramural Sports Program offers a variety of sports in which students can compete, from badminton to flag football to inner-tube water polo.

“Students will remember the friendships and bonds they created while playing,” said Grant Wallace, a Graduate Assistant for the Intramural Sports Program. “It enhances the college experience.”

Some of the more popular sports include flag football, basketball, soccer, and six-on-six volleyball. There are multiple divisions in which student teams can participate; men’s competitive and recreational, women’s competitive and recreation, co-recreation competitive and recreational, fraternity A and B, and sorority.

“We’re one of the largest organizations on campus,” added Wallace.

“There are around 130 to 150 flag football teams,” said Intramural Sports Program Graduate Assistant Rob Latva.

Flag football games are played Monday through Thursday evening. On Wednesday, October 7, BGSU students Craig Tusing, Pat Dougherty, and Austin Arnold, and Zach Gueth, members of the men’s recreational team Oakville enjoyed their first win of the season. All four agreed the win was their favorite part of the flag football intramurals.

While Dougherty and Arnold are seniors, Tusing and Gueth both have plans to play again in the future.

“It gives me a break,” stated Gueth. “I have such a busy schedule.”

Feelings, such as those expressed by Gueth, are common amongst students competing in Intramural Sports.

“It’s a stress reliever,” said Wallace. “The best part is you get a free t-shirt.”

Every team that wins an Intramural Sports Championship receives a free, Intramural Sports Championship t-shirt. The free t-shirt is not the only benefit of competing for an Intramural Sports Title.

“We offer some opportunities to those playing in championships,” stated Latva, “some will be playing in the Doyt.”

While the flag football season is winding down, there are still many other sports offered by the Intramural Sports Program for which students can still register. Badminton, team handball, and whiffleball are just a few of the sports still available for the Fall 2009 semester.

“We have a new sport that’s never been tried before, long drive golf,” said Latva. “We’re taking registration until next Wednesday (October 14.) Inner-tube water polo is a lot of fun. We also have tennis ball, which is an indoor version of softball.”

In addition to providing the opportunity to compete with fellow BGSU students, the Intramural Sports Program also offers students the chance to compete with students from rival UT.

“We do a BG vs. UT Battle of Champions,” stated Latva. “This year flag football will be in the Doyt and basketball will be played at UT.”

Champions from the fraternity A, men’s, women’s, and co-recreation competitive divisions will have the chance to compete in the BG vs. UT Battle of Champions.

The BG vs. UT Battle of Champions is not the only opportunity to compete against students from other schools offered by the Intramural Sports Program.

“We offer regional tournaments with schools from surrounding states,” said Latva. “Students can compete against other universities and move on to nationals. This year they’re in Tampa in January.”

Students interested in regional tournaments can inquire at the Intramural Sports Program office at Perry Field House, Room 130. Additional information about Intramural Sports can be found at http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/recwell/intramurals/index.html.