ALUMNI CONNECTIONS
HUGHES FIELDHOUSE
TAKING SHAPE Plans advance with alumnus’ return
As the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse rises on the west side of the Northwest campus, the facility’s programming and potential also are coming into view with the arrival of an alumnus charged with leading the University’s campus recreation. Greg Hansen ’88, ’91 joined the Northwest staff in January as assistant vice president of student affairs for campus recreation. He returns with more than 26 years of experience in managing recreation programs and facilities in campus and community settings. “His experience is perfect to uplift the campus recreation department at Northwest,” Northwest Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Matt Baker said. “The Hughes Fieldhouse is designed to support both our campus and the community, and Greg’s experience with campus and community recreation is ideal to create a partnership that supports both goals.” After nine years as the first intramural coordinator at Southeast Missouri State University, Hansen became director and public information officer at the North Kansas City Community Center in 2000 while that facility was under construction. In addition to overseeing the remaining construction work, Hansen established the facility’s staffing, policies and procedures. The role also helped Hansen, who spent 14 years at the center, reconnect with Northwest. He worked with student interns involved with the center’s programs and services. He collaborated with the Northwest Alumni Association on events. The Bearcat men’s basketball team also practiced in the building in preparation for the 18
NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2018
MIAA conference tournament. “Anything I could do to help Northwest and give back has always been at my heart,” said Hansen, who most recently was superintendent of recreation for the city of West Des Moines, Iowa, during the last four years. Since his return to the campus, Hansen has integrated himself in the construction and planning for the Hughes Fieldhouse. He also joined the city of Maryville’s Tourism Committee, lending a critical voice to the planning, scheduling and recruiting of events for the region. “What drives me to come to work here every day is the excitement and the fulfillment of when those people will finally step in the building, to step back myself and see the smile on their faces and provide a quality of life to everyone,” he said. “It excites me that it was not just thought of as an athletic facility, that it is for the students, for the community, for the region.” Hansen oversees a suite of campus recreation programs and facilities that include not only the Hughes Fieldhouse but the Student Recreation Center, the Robert and Virginia Foster Fitness Center and Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area. “It provides clear leadership, the ability to better use our resources, serve our students, offer quality programs and services,” Hansen said. “We will probably be in a unique position in that we will be working campus recreation with the community more now than ever before in the history of the University.”