By Alexandria Webb
Grand Rapids Community College is preparing for the upcoming National Rec Week. Students can look forward to these upcoming events hosted by the Recreation and Wellness Center throughout the week.
Andrew Rolls, Assistant Director of the Ford Fieldhouse, provided more information about National Rec Week.
“It is a week that is sponsored by the national governing body of college recreational programming and the organization is called ‘NIRSA’ (National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association) and the meaning behind it is to celebrate college recreation programming at campuses by handing out fun swag/gear to those who attend for the week in hopes of boosting participation to the programming and to educate students on the benefits of being involved in any college recreation programming on campus,” wrote Rolls, in an email to the Collegiate.
Events included this week are the usual fitness and wellness classes. These classes include pilates, yoga, and total body strengthening. Throughout the week, there are intramural sports such as volleyball, basketball and soccer. There is an opportunity for students to embrace a more creative side, as there will be arts and crafts, too.
Monday, Feb. 23, the week starts off with pilates from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Raider Strength and Conditioning Center. Next, there is yoga from 9 to 10 a.m. held in Ford Fieldhouse, room 212. To finish off the day, there will be total body strength conditioning from noon to 1 p.m., held again at the Raider Strength and Conditioning Center.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, there will be a multitude of events happening. Yoga will take place from 8 to 9 a.m in the Ford Fieldhouse, room 212. Pilates will happen right after from 9 to 10 a.m. in the same location. Students can enjoy art and crafts along with free pizza and water from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This will take place at the Ford Fieldhouse, room 213.
Intramural leagues will meet on Tuesday evening. Mini Soccer is held from 5 to 7 p.m at the Recreation Center Turf area, level 2. 6v6 Volleyball is happening from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena. Open Play Basketball is held at the same time and place as volleyball.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, students can enjoy pilates from 8 to 9 a.m at the Raider Strength and Conditioning Center. Yoga will be held from 9 to 10 a.m at the same location as pilates. Wednesday evening follows the same schedule and location for intramural sports.
“Intramural Sport leagues end the last week of March. Students can join at any time, though,” Rolls wrote.
Students interested in these intramural sports can register here. For more details, check out the Recreation Program.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, students can meet in Raider Strength and Conditioning Center to focus on working out their ABCs, or arms, butt, and core, from 11 a.m to noon. Total body strength is right after from noon to 1 p.m in the same location.
“All of our programming is a welcoming and safe space, and anyone can join at any time FOR FREE,” wrote Rolls.
According to Rolls each participant will receive a free GRCC Rec Week T-shirt, and some events will offer free pizza.
Throughout the semester, there may be many challenging and stressful events that occur. National Rec Week sheds light on the importance of students taking a moment to prioritize their physical and mental health.
“Campus recreation enhances the student experience in many ways and research shows how different forms of recreation influence student outcomes,” wrote Rolls. “Recreation participation leads to physical health benefits, mental well-being benefits, belonging and engagement, and they can influence recruitment and retention in higher education.”
These recreational programs can have long lasting positive impacts beyond the college years. Rolls shares his personal experiences on how these programs shaped his life.
“Not only does the programming hope to have physical and mental wellness benefits to each student, but when I was a student I was very involved in campus recreation programs and I met many friends that turned into life long friends through meeting them on my Intramural Sports team or doing the same fitness class with them a lot,” wrote Rolls. “I felt like I had a fun community of people that got me excited to participate and escape the stresses of classes and life every week.”
Students can keep up on the latest events by following GRCC Recreation and Wellness on Instagram.
