DIVISION OF RECREATIONAL SPORTS
Divisional Overview 2013–14 For over 97 years, the Division of Recreational Sports has been a part of campus life. Nationally, the Division is recognized as one of the oldest and largest collegiate recreational sports programs in the country. What began as the Men’s Intramural Program expanded and evolved over decades to become one of the most popular programs on campus and an essential part of the Longhorn experience. Today, Recreational Sports features six distinct program areas – Intramural Sports, Fitness/Wellness, Sport Clubs, Instructional, Outdoor Recreation and Informal Recreation. Nine wide-ranging facilities offer over 500,000 square feet of indoor space and 40 acres of outdoor space. The Division’s reach extends to students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, visitors and the general community who enjoy access to a comprehensive array of facilities, programs, services and special events. As testament to its popularity among students, 89 percent of the undergraduate population participates in RecSports and 96 percent say they would recommend RecSports to others. Overall, students and RecSports members accrue more than 3.75 million hours of participation annually while virtual visits to the RecSports website amount to one million each year. As a unit of the Division of Student Affairs, RecSports supports and complements the University’s academic and public service objectives, assists in fulfilling its core purpose and values, and contributes significantly to the University’s disciplined culture of excellence. With these goals in mind, the Division partners with students, campus departments and agencies, as well as the general community, by hosting over 6,000 special events each year at RecSports facilities, including receptions, student orientations, meetings, dances, sports tournaments, college convocations, fundraisers and much more. In doing so, Recreational Sports provides environments that foster community building and creates opportunities that contribute to a personal sense of belonging. Meeting these objectives is essential to creating a sense of community among the diverse student population of more than 50,000 that inhabits the 350-acre main campus with 17 colleges and schools, and 24,000 faculty and staff. As RecSports looks ahead to its 100th anniversary in 2016, it endeavors to continue to enrich the lives of students outside the classroom. It does so by promoting physical fitness, healthy habits and balanced behaviors, and by teaching meaningful life skills that cultivate involved and responsible citizens.
Facilities Anna Hiss Gym Bellmont Hall Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field Gregory Gymnasium Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex PRC J. Neils Thompson Commons Rec Center Recreational Sports Center Whitaker Fields Whitaker Tennis Courts
Programs Fitness/Wellness Informal Recreation Instructional Intramural Sports Outdoor Recreation Sport Clubs
Statement on Diversity The Division of Recreational Sports embraces the University’s diverse campus culture by welcoming all ideas and perspectives, and by placing a high value on the dignity and personal growth of each individual. Recreational Sports is part of a Student Affairs community that enriches the learning environment by fostering diversity and practicing inclusiveness. The Division’s programs, services and facilities strive to provide meaningful opportunities to exchange ideas and explore differences in a respectful environment. RecSports welcomes individual expression and endeavors to create an atmosphere where human understanding, civility, and mutual respect are valued and demonstrated.
A U NI T OF T H E DI V I S I ON OF STUDE N T AFFAIRS