Retirements

Rec Sports RETIREMENTS

Michelle Briggs

Rec Sports recognizes and extends our appreciation to Michelle Briggs who recently retired from our department. Michelle began her career at Rec Sports in 2006 as a communication specialist responsible for creating posters, flyers, and general marketing content. Over the course of nearly 16 years, she rose to become marketing manager and was responsible for the department’s website and its publications, oversaw content creation, and supervised a team of student employees. In 2008 she was also honored as a namesake for Fish Camp.

During her tenure, Michelle oversaw two website redesigns, assisted with re-branding efforts, and helped expand staffing to meet the needs of the department. She was instrumental in our “Vote Rec” marketing campaign in early 2018, the successful effort that educated and encouraged students to vote “yes” for new rec facilities. Most recently Michelle led the marketing campaign for the opening of the new Polo Road Rec Center. “And now we are getting ready to open another one on the southside!” she said. She commends Rec Sports for keeping up with the growth of the student population. As the population continues to grow, Rec Sports keeps expanding to reach all students with its services.

She is proud of how far the marketing efforts have evolved since 2006 and remarked how only flyers and banners were used when she started in the department. Today, Rec Sports is active on social media, has a website and an app, uses photography and videography, is represented at events like Fish Camp, and hosts large events, like Rec-A-Palooza. Michelle played a significant role in the growth and success of our marketing team; we thank her for her dedication and expertise. “Michelle was a consistent force through a lot of change, and we are in a great place because of her expertise, creativity, and the extraordinary amount of time she willingly gave,” commented Rick Hall, Director of Rec Sports. “We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Some of her favorite memories are student staff banquets and seeing the Rec Sports expansion, especially moving into the marketing suite! Michelle will miss the people that she had the opportunity to work with as she moves into her new position as Public Relations Coordinator for the College Station Police Department. Her advice to future students and staff is to go into the job with a positive attitude, be ready to learn, and have lots of fun!

Paula Opal

After 40 years of serving Texas A&M Rec Sports, our Associate Director of Banquet and Event Services, Paula Opal, is ready to retire, and of course, her destination is sunny Florida, where the beach is a stone’s throw away.

Paula started her journey at Texas A&M in 1981 where she worked with intramural sports at a time when computers were not used – imagine that now! She remembered having to work out brackets on paper, sometimes with over 800 participants. After a shift in the department, Paula worked with Sport Clubs for 15 years; an experience she loved because of the multitude of learning opportunities.

Over the years, Paula grew professionally and learned how to adapt to her changing roles and increasing responsibilities. She learned the importance of time management (and passed this onto her student employees), because people are expecting your service to be flawless. Not a stranger to hard work, she worked tirelessly to ensure our customers had everything they needed for their events and meetings. “After working side-by-side for so long, it is going to be strange not seeing Paula at the Rec,” commented Rick Hall, Director. “She has worked in many capacities and helped us grow and succeed. Her retirement is well-deserved!”

Her favorite memories are the student workers and the times she shared with them. She remains in contact with many and is proud of all they have accomplished. She loved working with students because they were full of energy and innovation. “You can’t get old when you’re always with 18 to 23-year-olds,” she said. She also enjoyed seeing how students applied the skills and knowledge they learned as officers of clubs to become successful in the work environment at Rec Sports.

Throughout her forty plus years at Rec Sports, Paula has seen the department expand its reach to students all over campus. Paula complimented Rec Sports on creating competitive and noncompetitive opportunities and activities, while adapting to the needs of students, and providing much needed space on campus to socialize, study, hang out, and dine. Her advice to future Aggies is to not be afraid to ask questions because someone is always willing to help.

Paula, we wish you all the best and thank you for everything that you have done for Rec Sports!