Becoming a Student Recreation Center (SRC) member has serious financial benefits, especially for the remainder of the Fall semester. The SRC is currently offering memberships at pro-rated costs. This means that SRC membership costs are 50 percent off until Jan. 18, 2012. Membership plans include access to general SRC facilities, group exercising and climbing wall facilities.
Originally, an individual seeking SRC membership could expect to pay $144, however, with the current pro-rated costs, such individuals need only pay $72. The same goes for couples as well. Normally, couples are required to pay $246 but now, they need only pay $123. This is an amazing opportunity to get involved with the SRC and take advantage of its facilities.
The best part about this deal is that it doesn’t stop at membership costs. It also includes parking passes as well. As a general rule of thumb, all vehicles parked in a University lot must have proper BGSU parking tags. Luckily, with the new, Fall semester deals, parking pass costs are also half-off, meaning it costs only $6 to park on campus for the rest of the semester.
To acquire a permit, bring a completed Parking Permit Order Form (available at the SRC Front Desk or through Parking Services) to the BGSU Visitor Information Center, or BGSU Parking Services. A receipt showing proof of membership is required.
There are 20 types of membership plans a person can purchase. To see which plan best suits you please visit the SRC website. Please note, that full year memberships are not included in the new deals for the Fall semester. If you need further information, please call the SRC front desk at 419.372.2000.
Friends of Jesus teammates huddle up for the last time this season. They end their regular season with a 3 – 1 record and win the championship game against Kettering Kounty.
Last week, the Ultimate Frisbee playoffs were held at the Perry Field House over a period of two days. Friends of Jesus squashed the competition and were the overall victors. Intense and aggressive, Friends of Jesus played their first playoff game against team Phrenocon last Tuesday night and wiped the floor with the competition gaining a 10-point lead by the end of the game. Phrenocon team captain, David Harrand, said his team seriously underestimated their competitors and the near shut out by Friends of Jesus upset their usual cooperative attitude with one another.
“We made the mistake of playing in our flag football game just before our frisbee game thinking that Tuesday night was going to be as easy as the regular season was.” said Harrand. “We clearly weren’t prepared. We were down early in the game and instead of working together we criticized each other. No one was on the same page and everyone wanted to play their own way.”
After a big win against Phrenocon with a final score of 7-17, Friends of Jesus were scheduled to play Kettering Kounty the following night in the championship game.
The Kettering Kounty defense intensifies as Friends of Jesus’s Holden Smith nears the end zone. Ahmed Hayat (center, back, left) attempts to tear away from the Kettering Kounty defense to assist Smith.
Unlike Phrenocon, Kettering Kounty team captain, Nathan Wahle, understood that Friends of Jesus were serious competition.
“[We knew] it would be a tough game to win because we knew how good they were.” said Wahle.
With two teams prepared and ready to play, competition was fierce. The championship game began with an intense alternating goals between the two teams. Within the first two minutes of play, Friends of Jesus scored. Within seconds, Kettering Kounty tied up the game, however, Friends of Jesus quickly gained another one-point lead. This type of intense gameplay continued throughout the championship.
In fact, gameplay became so intense that twice “things got a little heated,” Wahle said. In the second half, a Friends of Jesus offensive player made a beautiful diving catch into the end zone. Friends of Jesus teammates cheered and Kettering Kounty teammates jeered, insisting that the frisbee hit the ground first. Ultimate Frisbee is known as a “gentleman’s sport” which means teams are expected to rely on the honor code in terms of play discrepancies. In the end, they determined the pass to be complete and Friends of Jesus went on to win the championship with a hard-earned win of 13-11.
Participating in intramural sports is a great way to stay active, be competitive and interact with people. According to Scott Sehmann, assistant director for intramurals and sports clubs, nearly 6,000 people participate in intramurals annually, earning approximately $65,000 for the University Sehmann said.
“Our offerings are as vast as any institution in the country and we typically have more divisions(levels of play) then most institutions as well giving more participants an opportunity to compete for an IM Championship title and T-Shirt.” said Sehmann.
If you are interested in joining an intramural team please contact the Department of Recreation and Wellness at 419.372.2464 or email at imsports@bgsu.edu. Please visit the intramural web page for more information concerning costs and eligibility. Also, become a free member of IM Leagues and keep up with your favorite team.
A climber adjusts his footing before ascending further up the wall.
Class with the ACC Climbers
Last week, I decided to attend an Adrenaline Climbing Club (ACC) class and snap some pictures. These classes were designed to mentally, socially and physically develop youth climbers, ages eight and up, and to refine and enhance their climbing skills. During this session, climbers practiced tying figure eight knots, proper stalling, footing and hand placement, and climbing using a belay.
Allison Henderson, mother to climber Paul, 12, said that besides climbing’s obvious health benefits, the class is simply fun and very informative for aspiring climbers. She said the ACC provides students with technical knowledge that other climbing organization’s require but do not teach.
ACC assistant climbing instructor, Eric Peterson, has been an outdoors man for several years and instructing climbing classes enables him to share his passion for the sport with others. Climbing, he said, is more of lifestyle that teaches self-control and knowledge of one’s physical self by challenging climbers mentally and physically.
“The ACC gives youths a chance to be active and learn about a sport that is not readily accessible in this part of the country,” said Peterson. “By joining the ACC these students get to try something pretty cool and learn some amazing skills that they would not normally be exposed to in a standard, school, physical education program.”
The class began at 4:00 p.m. sharp and the eager climbers anxiously changed into the proper climbing footwear. Peterson began class with a demonstration on how to tie a figure eight knot. According to Peterson, this knot paired with the strength of the climbing ropes could easily lift a truck up a mountainside. Afterwards, climbers practiced the tying the figure eight while Peterson supervised and corrected any mistakes.
The class’s second stage provided students with a fun, climbing activity. Peterson began to ask the class which game they would prefer to play, however, his question was almost immediately interrupted by excited climbers yelling, “the Penny Game!” Obviously, Peterson could not argue with their adamant requests and he sent the climbers behind a wall as he hid a penny in the crevices of the rock wall grips. Once the penny was hidden, climbers were summoned from behind the wall to search for the hidden coin. When the game was over, students were permitted to free climb without the use of belays as long as they stayed below the long, red line dividing the rock wall.
Goodwin and Peterson give students a lesson on proper climbing techniques when using belays.
Afterwards, climbing manager, Lillian Goodwin, 22, joined Peterson to demonstrate proper procedures for belay climbing. Goodwin then volunteered herself to ascend the wall as Peterson guided her from the ground. To end the demonstration, the instructors switched positions and Goodwin guided Peterson’s ascent.
Goodwin has been a climbing instructor for nearly two and a half years and has been climbing for seven. She is very passionate about climbing because it combines exercise, discipline and problem solving into a single activity she said. In terms of youths climbing in ACC classes, she said the sooner the better.
“The ACC is able to get children excitred about climbing at an early age which helps them learn healthy exercise habits and a fun new skill,” said Goodwin. “By beginning to climb at a younger age there is definitely an advantage as opposed to someone who starts at 20. Children tend to have a better strength to weight ratio, so once they obtain the muscle memory and technique, they get strong fairly quickly. “
Those interested in enrolling their children into the Adrenaline Climbing Club must mail their completed application to the BGSU Outdoor Program office at Bowling Green State University Recreation and Wellness Outdoor Program 104, Perry Field House, Bowling Green, OH, 43403.
For more information concerning registration policies, cost, session dates or class description should visit the Outdoor Program’s website. For further inquiries, please contact the program director, Jerome Gabriel, at 419.372.8044 or email him at OutdoorPro@bgsu.edu.
Instructor Katie Chicotel catches young skater just before he falls.
Learning to skate
The Learn to Skate classes are designed to give eager skaters a solid foundation of skills to use at their disposal. Participants have a variety of options to choose from after developing a strong understanding of the basics. Skaters can choose to engage in competitive ice sports like figure skating and ice hockey or they may decide to simply enjoy what they’ve learned while skating recreationally. Either way, skating is a great opportunity for participants to get fit and have fun.
Karissa Matson, Northen Michigan University senior and Ice Arena Intern, said, “The best part of Learn to Skate, is when people realize that ice skating has changed from a dream to a hobby.”
The first class began with a meet-and-greet in the middle of the rink. The intructors were enthusiastic in their introductions which ultimately created a ripple effect in the children’s excitement. After they were properly introduced, the intructors split the group of young skaters into two segments: backward skating, balance and stopping and forward skating, balance and stopping.
The second class was also a beginners skate but was for older children. The class’s routine was identical to the first class’s with the meet-and-greet and class division. What I saw in this class, however, gave me a newfound and richer appreciation for the Learn to Skate classes. The eldest skater was nearing his teen years and it was his first time on the ice. He looked bashful at first because the other skaters were more experienced than him but the instructors immediately responded to the situation. One instructor gripped the boy around the shoulders and enthusiastically introduced him as a new skater to the rest of the class. Then one instructor guided the rest of the class away as the other stayed behind with the young man for some one-on-one coaching.
The instructor, Katie Chicotel, 20, American Culture Studies major, was very patient with the new skater and kept giving him tips and words of
Instructors and students gather in the middle of the rink before class begins.
encouragement as he made his way around the rink. It was, I’m sure, a great experience for the boy, but it was for me as well. Granted I was only observing the class but it made me smile watching him learn to skate for the first time. And most importantly, he was given instant support by the instructors and class which makes for a great first-ever skate.
There is obviously a common love and desire to be on the ice among pupils and instructors. Chicotel’s love for skating began when she was eight years old and she has been on the ice ever since. She has been a Learn to Skate instructor for the past four years. Her passion for the sport itself and her belief that interested young children can keep the sport thriving inspired her to become an instructor. Moreover, she said skating is just plain healthy.
“Skating is beneficial to children mostly because it it fun and they have a blast learning new tricks on the ice. Not only do kids love it but skating is great exercise and a good way for children to build strong, healthy bodies.” said Chicotel.
Anyone interested in enrolling themselves or their children in Learn to Skate classes should call Laura Dunn, Ice Arena Assistant Director, at 419-372-8686 or e-mail her at dunnle@bgsu.edu for more information. Also, check out the department’s website for scheduling, class description, and registration information.
Hi everyone! My name is Shena Stayden. I am a senior majoring in public relations and I am due to graduate in May. I am the new public relations intern for the department and this is my first blog! Your feedback is warmly welcomed and I look forward to reading your comments.
On Saturday I walked over to the Rec and snapped a few photos of the Learn to Swim class. IT WAS SO FUN! Everyone was excited to be there. The parents were helpful and involved. The instructor was great and the children were very enthusiastic.
“I took swim classes ’cause I don’t know how to swim. I think it’ll be fun. I’m excited.” said Learn to Swim student Colin Campbell, 6.
The swim instructor, Jenna Teitenburg, 19, loves teaching swim class and was all smiles as she helped her students learn the basics. This was a level one class so the main goal was to teach the youngsters to feel comfortable in the water. The class lasted 30 to 45 minutes and the children learned so much. They learned how to blow bubbles, dunk their heads underwater, hold their breath, float and find things on the bottom of the pool.
Sophomore marketing major, Jenna Teitenburg, 19, has been teaching swim lessions since she was 14 years old.
“My favorite part about being a swim instructor is seeing how much progress the kids have made.” said Teitenburg. “I’ve taught kids from preschool up to level six and its such a rewarding job to see them succeed in swimming.”
All in all, everyone had fun on Saturday. The parents walked away smiling and the children left with a newfound understanding about the importance of swimming.
“People don’t think about how often they could potentially be exposed to water throughout their lives.” said Micha Alt, assistant director of the aquatics department. “Being able to swim gives them a leg up. Learning to swim will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
If you have children and are interested in enrolling them in the University’s Learn to Swim classes, please contact the Aquatics Department at (419) 372-2000 or just drop by the front desk at the Student Recreation Center. They will be happy to talk with you and get you started. If you want to find out more about the Learn to Swim classes please visit their web site.
Hi everyone! My name is Shena Stayden. I am a senior majoring in public relations and I am due to graduate in May. I am the new public relations intern for the department and this is my first blog! Your feedback is warmly welcomed and I look forward to reading your comments.
