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.
Safe Communities of Wood County announced today that there have been 8 fatal crashes to date in 2016 in Wood County compared to 10 from this time last year.
September 18-24, 2016 is Child Passenger Safety Seat Awareness week. In Wood County, there were no fatalities involving children under the age of 13 in calendar year 2016. Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers. Car seats are most effective when installed properly in your vehicle and used correctly.
It is essential for parents to make sure their child safety equipment in their vehicles is current with state and federal regulations and is installed properly. Residents of Wood County are encouraged to contact either Wood County Hospital or Safe Kids of Greater Toledo to schedule a car seat inspection.
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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 com
mittee 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.
The Fitwell Program was started in 1985 to offer a scientifically designed, personalized fitness program.
The 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.
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 
director, 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.
The Student Recreation Center underwent a year-long renovation project from August 2013 – August 2014.
Students were no longer satisfied with the 1979 Student Recreation Center, and the facility was not shown to prospective students during campus tours because of how it would have been compared to other university recreation facilities.
As a result, the Department of Recreation and Wellness determined that the facility needed to be renovated. The process was set in motion in October 2010 when the Department reached out to The Collaborative Inc., an architecture group in Toledo, Ohio to create a feasibility study.
The Board of Trustees approved the design and pre-construction plans in June of 2012, and on February 22, 2013, the Board approved the final design and construction plans. A budget of $13.4 million was also approved, which was later increased to about $14.8 million. The additional funds covered enhancements to the multi-activity court, a parking lot expansion, the addition of an outdoor volleyball court and 
patio area, expanded locker rooms, other design enhancements to the building as well as roof repairs, electrical updates, and upgrades to the HVAC system. $650,000 was also allocated to new weight/strength equipment and cardio machines. According to Dr. Steve Kampf, director of the Recreation and Wellness, the overall project ended up costing $17 million. Project funding was provided by a combination of future long-term debt issue, existing student general fee facility reserves, and from funds originally allocated to constructing the new Falcon Health Center.
Gilbane Building Company was hired as the general contractor, and construction began in August of 2013. During the next eight months the SRC remained open with limited operation. The facility was only closed to the public from April 13, 2014 until its completion in August. During this time, the weight/strength equipment and cardio machines were moved temporarily to the Perry Field House track room, and the group exercise fitness classes were also held in the Perry Field House.
The renovated Student Recreation Center featured many improvements demanded by students, faculty, and community members. The main focuses of the project were updated equipment, space, recruitment, and branding for the new facility. Highlights of the newly renovated Student Recreation Center project included:
• Complete refacing of the building entrance creating a modern look and feel and increasing the natural lighting
• Centralized entry point with an open concept taking advantage of natural light and LED fixtures purchased through partnerships with the Office of Campus Sustainability
• New central staircase leading directly to the balcony, main level, and locker rooms on lower level I
• Expanded main entry and balcony spaces with new flooring
• Purchase of new weight and cardio equipment totaling $650,000 in response to student/member feedback
• Increased air circulation with the installation of large scale Big Ass Fans® throughout the building
• Member validation, membership sales (including locker rentals and Group Exercise passes), and equipment checkout all take place at the new, centralized welcome desk
• Finger vein readers installed at the welcome desk to validate membership
• Complete renovation of the locker rooms with new lockers, saunas, and private locker rooms
• Water refill stations located throughout the facility
• Numerous TV’s and various FourWinds monitors installed throughout the facility
• New furniture
• Lower Level I offices
• Multi-Activity Court (MAC) on activity court 4
• Running track
• Racquetball/squash courts
• New parking lot behind the building
• Exterior patio and sand volleyball court
The SRC reopened on August 24, 2014 with the number of attendees increasing over the course of the year from August 2014 to 2015. Attendance improved by 101% with 12,761 users in 2014 and 25,623 users in 2015.
A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the new facility was postponed until the Spring 2015 semester because the MAC court, patio and parking lot were not completed in time for the re-opening in August. Once the final renovations were completed, the facility was not only the first student funded, stand-alone recreation center in the country, but also the newest student recreation center in Ohio.
