February 18, 2008
Recreation center to host special event on Feb. 20
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Student Recreation Center will promote the benefits of recreational sports, fitness and wellness on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in conjunction with National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day.
Students and recreation center members are welcome at the event, which will feature giveaways, good information, activities and more. The first 125 people in the door after 1 p.m. get a free T-shirt.
The action kicks off with intramural sports bag competition from 1 to 3 p.m. The Student Health Center is giving free blood pressure checks and glucose screening from 3 to 4 p.m.
It's Health Fair time from 3 to 6 p.m. Sponsored by Student Affairs, visitors will find there a wide assortment of giveaways, information and goodies galore. Interactive displays will highlight various campus facilities and departments including Recreational Sports and Services, the Student Health Center, Student Development, University Housing and the Student Center, including the Craft Shop and Bowling and Billiards. You can test out goggles that simulate impaired driving, learn about the upcoming insightful Tunnel of Oppression event, check out the Ultimate Saluki Challenge and gather valuable information.
SIUC students can sign up for the Healthy U Incentive Program at the Student Health Center's gazebo from 3 to 6 p.m. Healthy U is an eight-week student program costing just $5 to participate through which students can earn "Healthy U" dollars redeemable for drawings and prizes. A wide variety of activities, from individual physical work-outs to attending wellness or fitness classes to counseling sessions and even bowling at Bowling and Billiards, can net students the special healthy tender.
Work the kinks out with a free five-minute chair massage courtesy of a massage therapist between 4 and 6 p.m. or get some one-on-one fitness advice at the "Ask a Trainer" table staffed by personal trainers during that time.
There's a cardio circuit class on Court 4 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. and a ZUMBA class in the aerobic room from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. too. During the regular Parents Night In that evening, children ages 3-12 will enjoy special activities with an emphasis on health and fitness in Room 158.
"We are trying to promote as many dimensions of health as possible – emotional, social, intellectual and physical," said Lynne Thompson-Cundiff, assistant director of fitness for Recreational Sports and Services at SIUC. "We're taking a holistic approach to health and wellness."
The National Intramural Recreational Sports Association's founding date is Feb. 22, 1950. Since 1999, the organization has proclaimed a special National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day focusing on recreational sports, fitness and wellness on that date. Due to scheduling conflicts, SIUC is celebrating NIRSA Fitness Wellness Fun Day on Feb. 20.