From five-on-five basketball to aerobic classes, Sacramento State?s Recreational Sports has a range of activities to meet the needs of just about any student. In operation for about forty years, Rec Sports concentrates on a variety of sporting events such as intramurals, fitness classes and sports clubs.

“Recreational Sports is an opportunity for all students to participate in sports and also in living a healthy lifestyle,” said Michael Vero, who has been with Rec Sports since August as a graduate assistant for the marketing department and for the fitness and intramural program.

Recreational Sports has a lot to offer to students on campus. One feature is Sac State?s very own open recreational area that?s free of charge to all students and, needless to say, very convenient.

With a OneCard, students have access to the campus pool, the universal weight room, the free weight room, and the racquetball courts. With last semester?s numbers rolling in, the universal weight room was the most popular amongst student usage. Yet, while conveniently located right on campus, many students are passing by not knowing it even exists.

Senior Mike Casselberry is one of many students who had no idea about the open recreational area. Casselberry, who is a member of another gym outside of campus, says now that he knows about this program he will definitely take use of it.

“I thought you had to be enrolled,” said Casselberry.

Students can even participate in some of the fitness classes offered by Rec Sports for about $20. Each semester, three classes are offered, such as Hatha Yoga, which is a class designed to improve one?s body and mind; Boot Camp, which is a physical conditioning class, and aerobic classes which feature high and low impact workouts.

These classes are designed for everyone who wants to get in shape and still have fun.Rec Sports promotes eleven sports clubs. Associated Students, Inc., funds about 15 percent of the club?s needs, and the rest are funded and operated by students who participate.

“About 400 people participate in all sporting clubs,” said Dave Patterson, a graduate assistant for the sports club and open recreational program. “And it?s always expanding.”Sports clubs, such as the men?s volleyball team and the bowling team have gone as far as making it to the national’s, and the men?s rugby team won its first national title last semester. Student participation is what gets these clubs started, Patterson said.

At Recreational Sports, sports aren?t always about winning, they?re about having fun. What better way to have fun playing a basketball game than participating in intramural basketball. It has all the perks of a basketball game excluding all the tension between players. The Intramural program at Sac State has just about every kind of sport offered from flag football to volleyball. None of these sports require any try-outs or practices. Make this an exciting Spring semester and get involved with some of the programs that Rec Sports has to offer. If you need a break from the overwhelming amount of homework, or you just want to go out and meet new people, Rec Sports is the direction you need. Recreational Sports sticks by their mission in every way, to enhance a fun and healthy environment to students here on campus.