The Sacramento State Recreational Sports Program offers students the privilege of having fun, meeting new people and friendly competition in sports and recreation activities. There are plenty of opportunities for students to balance fun and social interaction with academics and class lectures.

Students can join clubs and leagues for sports of all sorts, recreational activities and even outdoor excursions.

“There are profound benefits of participating in recreational sports and activities on campus,” coordinator of recreational sports Ken Morton said. “We have a plethora amount of activities to offer Sac State students.”

The benefits of getting involved and participating in recreational activity on campus are outstanding. Ken Morton and the Sac State Recreational Sports frequently survey participants. The results are straightforward: Students enjoy their college experience more by getting involved on campus.

More than 80 percent of students enjoyed their overall experience of the particular activity or sport they played.

Seventy five percent of students admitted the experience helped them build important skills. Skills students can build by getting involved are time management, social and relationship building skills. Students have also built more confidence and created better habits, such as exercising.

More than 50 percent of students have reported better academic performance in the classroom due to involvement with recreational sports and activities. Skills and habits built and acquired from extracurricular activities transfer to the classroom.

“There are big benefits of taking part in what Sac State has to offer. Higher retention rate and overall satisfaction for students are examples,” Morton said.

Besides sports such as football, soccer and basketball, Sac State offers a wide arrange of activities in areas such dancing, fitness and martial arts.

“Since we have a diverse student body here at Sac state, we try to really offer all different kinds of activities and sports to satisfy that need,” Morton said.

Along with the intramural sports leagues and fitness classes, you can participate in sports and recreational clubs. There are recreational clubs that focus on a wide array of sports ranging from badminton to wakeboarding. There also just as many choices in sports clubs ranging from ice hockey to rugby.

Dustin Moser, who is currently president of the MMA Club, fully promotes and encourages all students to invest time into a sports or recreational club.

“It’s great opportunity to meet and make new friends,” Moser said. “There is no better way to get to know someone than to train and compete with them.”

There are a lot of activities to enjoy on campus, and there is just as much off campus as well. Sac State Recreational Sports works side by side with Peak Adventures to provide opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Due to Sacramento’s convenient location geographically, Sac State can offer amazing outdoor opportunities.

Students can sign up for backpacking trips all over California, including the Grand Canyon. There are also excursions for students to enjoy in camping, mountain biking, hikes, rock climbing and white water rafting.

But wait, there is more! Peak Adventures also offers specialty trips in activities such as paintballing, skydiving, caving and even wine tasting. Excited for the winter and snow? Peak Adventures will have trips for snowboarding and skiing, snowshoe hiking and snow camping.

Brad Pointer, operations manager at Peak Adventures, offers an interesting perspective to why students should take advantage of everything Sac State and Peak Adventures offers.

“The university experience should be a whole body experience,” Pointer said. “In the classroom, you are mentally engaged. Through Peak Adventures, you can physically engage.”

Students can find more information on outdoor trips, visit Peak Adventures, located north of the University Union.

Do you feel tired from commuting back and forth between school, home and the gym? Take advantage of the numerous fitness classes and facilities offered by Sac State. Located on campus at Yosemite Hall is fitness classes featuring yoga or you can use the gym or pool with a OneCard.

Students have access to fitness classes in yoga, hip hop aerobics and cardio kickboxing that are instructed by certified trainers. The fitness classes do cost money. Students can pay a small drop-in fee or pay for the whole semester. Prices are prorated throughout the semester. “Hornets on the Move” is a free program, where students can walk or run with a group.

The free weight room, cardio weight room and pool are all open to Sac State students as well. Students have free access with their OneCards.

Along with sport intramural leagues, fitness classes and outdoor adventures, Sac State Recreational Program also throws special events throughout the semester. The Natural High Fair will kick off Oct. 15.

“The event will be an opportunity for students to learn about alternative and fun activities to do instead of alcoholic drinking,” Morton explained.

The event will feature demonstrations and games.

Another special event coming soon is Spooktacular on Oct. 30 and 31 from 7 to 10p.m. There will be a haunted house, carnival games, a climbing wall and other activities. Dodge ball is a very popular event as last week’s Sac State Throw-Down a huge success. There will be another dodge ball tournament, called Get Rec’d Night, on Feb. 3.

The Sac State Recreational Sports Program offers the whole package to students seeking something to do besides class. Participation in on-campus activities such as sports and recreational activities is a great opportunity to enhance the college experience and create fond memories.

“I am still great friends with the people I met while participating in intramural sports and activities when I was in college,” Morton said. “With the resources Sac State has and what it offers, why not take advantage of all the opportunities?”

Contact the Sac State Recreational Sports office inside the Union, or call for information at (916) 278-4111. You can contact Peak Adventures at (916) 278-632.

Ronnie Nurss can be contacted at [email protected]