Director, Intramural and Recreational Sports

Dale Ramsay November 28, 2007

Director, Intramural and Recreational Sports

Swain Student Activities Center

Room E-102

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky

Dear Dale,

Thanks for the opportunity to work with you and your staff. I really appreciate everyone that took time to speak to me. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with everyone. The open and honest conversations were a tremendous help in drafting this review. The students I spoke with were fantastic and very enthusiastic about the possibilities. After speaking with Dr. Mardis and Dr. Jackson I can see why you’re so optimistic about the recent change in leadership and the direction University of Louisville is heading. I am really excited about the possible expanding opportunities for Intramural and Recreational Sports Department at the University of Louisville.

Once again thanks for the opportunity of working with you and I hope this review will be a useful tool. If there are any questions please do not hesitate to call. Good Luck.

Ron Lee

Director, Campus Recreation

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY 40506-0220

(859)257-3928

University of Louisville Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports Review

Programming

Intramural Sports

The intramural sports program offers a selection of over thirty structured sports ranging from table tennis to basketball. There is an excellent blend of team and individual/dual sports to meet the student’s needs. The sports are offered for men, women and co-rec with various divisions and skill levels to choose from. There are overall point systems available to all students to encourage participation in the sports offered and create excitement to crown the overall winning organization at the end of the year. The schedules, results, and point totals of all intramural events are posted to the web site immediately to make it more convenient for students to stay informed. Most sports are played in the Student Activity Center and Parkway Fields. The intramural sports program is organized and administered by the Coordinator of Intramural Sports and five undergraduate assistants. The intramural staff utilizes an intramural council to help decide the sports offered and add input for all aspects of intramural sports. The intramural council is comprised of student representatives from various participating teams and student organizations. Last year over 6,500 students participated in intramural sports. There has been an increase in the number of teams participating in intramural sports as seen in flag football this year (increased from 60 to 80 teams). From my meetings the most common issue cited with intramurals sports is recruiting and keeping quality intramural sports officials.

The intramural program meets or exceeds most universities in the number of different sports and divisions available to students. The biggest concern is the ability to attract and retain student officials. Intramural officials have one of the hardest student jobs on campus. With minimal training and pay they must officiate their peers who have unrealistic expectations of the official. The intramural program has reached a point where it is difficult for one professional staff member to sustain and grow the program. An additional position would not only assist with the programming and supervision, but could devote a large amount of time and effort to improve the officiating issue.

Fitness

The fitness program is coordinated by an Assistant Director of Intramural and Recreational Sports who also has facility responsibilities. The fitness program offers group fitness classes, fitness assessment, and health and fitness days. The group fitness classes are offered at both the Health Science Campus Fitness Center and the Student Activities Center. The group fitness studio in the Student Activity Center is converted from two racquetball courts. Classes offered range from Step Aerobics to Cardio-Kick. Yoga and Pilates classes are offered at the Health Science Campus Fitness Center. Yoga and Pilates cannot be offered at the Student Activity Center because of the noise with the racquetball courts. The cost for group fitness classes is $40 per semester. The group fitness classes are offered at noon time and early afternoon (generally 5:15pm – 6:15pm) at both locations.

Fitness assessments (assess blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, cardiovascular, flexibility etc.) are available to students for $10. Fitness assessments are done by appointment only during certain times at both facilities.

The health and fitness days are scheduled at various times throughout the semester at the Humana Gym, Student Activities Center weight room and Health Science Campus Fitness Center. During these scheduled times the fitness staff is there to answer fitness related questions (workouts, how to use equipment etc.) from students.

Fitness has been the fastest growing area nationwide. Students are now more health conscious than ever before. Students want more fitness and wellness opportunities and programs. Offering more group fitness classes (particularly in the afternoon and evening time), fitness/wellness programming (healthy eating chooses, fitness challenges etc) and expanding the availability of fitness assessments and fitness days are needed. The fitness program needs additional funding and a full time position dedicated to meeting the fitness and wellness needs of the students

Informal Recreation

One of the most important services provided to students is the opportunity to participate in sports/recreational activities in an informal, unstructured setting. Students are free to choose their own activities and participate at their own skill level and pace. Given the current indoor facilities, the staff has maximized the available time for informal recreation. Informal recreation is available at the Student Activities Center, Human Gym and the Health Science Campus Fitness Center. Between the three facilities there are over 300 hours of informal recreation available per week. Activities available include volleyball, basketball, badminton, squash, racquetball, wallyball, weight lifting, cardio workouts (treadmills, exercise bikes etc.), billiards, table tennis, board games and a video gaming room.

There are two areas lacking in informal recreation: not enough fitness equipment (limited by space) and limited outdoor field space available for informal recreation.

Sports Clubs

Sports Clubs are groups of students that organize because of a common interest in a sport. These organizations are self administrated and regulated by the students. Sports Clubs allow the student to further pursue their interest, whether by intercollegiate competition or just meeting on a regular basis to improve their skill. The Sports Club program currently has 18 clubs. There is a nice blend of clubs that range from Lacrosse to Ballroom Dance. The Sports Clubs are governed by the Sports Club Federation. This group is comprised of one delegate from each of the currently recognized sports clubs. These delegates meet three times per semester to discuss current club issues and report on club activities. Because of limited outdoor field space some of the more traditional outdoor sports clubs (rugby, soccer, field hockey etc.) are not offered.

Facilities

Student Activities Center

The recreational sports area of the Student Activities Center has five racquetball courts, two squash courts, a four court multi-purpose gymnasium that can be used for basketball, volleyball and badminton, and five thousand square feet (some from converted racquetball courts) of cardio and fitness equipment. The amount of multi-purpose court space and racquetball courts seems adequate. The amount of space for cardio and fitness equipment falls short of what is needed. The Student Activities Center was built just before the skyrocketing of fitness in campus recreation. It follows the pattern of other facilities built during that era that try to compensate for lack of fitness space by manufacturing space (like converting racquetball court space). The staff has maximized the amount of cardio and weight equipment that can fit. Waiting lists are used for cardio equipment during high volume times and time is limited to 30 minutes per person on a piece of equipment. This is done to maximize the number of people that can use the equipment. But 30 minutes can barely be called a cardio workout. This becomes very frustrating and discouraging to students.

More space is needed for fitness. The staff has captured all the space that could currently be converted without taking too much from the other sports areas. Major renovation would be a good option.

Humana Gym

The Human Gym has a multi-purpose gym, a mat room, a fitness room with limited cardio and weight lifting equipment, saunas, and locker rooms. With free parking and no crowds it is a viable option for off campus students. It is home to several club sports and has a loyal following. This facility seems to have found its niche.

Continuing cosmetic improvements and updating equipment would make this facility more appealing.

Health Science Campus Fitness Center

The HSC Fitness Center was built seven years ago and serves the Health Science Campus. This facility has an open fitness area that contains 21 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, a complete line of 15 pieces of selectorized weight training equipment, and a free weight training area. The fitness center also has an aerobics studio and locker rooms. Although there are times this facility is crowded, it seems to meet the needs for the Health Science Campus.

Cardinal Corner Game Room

The Cardinal Corner Game Room provides a place for students to play billiards, table tennis, cards or board games. The back part of the room has become the gaming room (a place to play video games). The billiard and table tennis area is adequate. The gaming room currently is not equipped to handle the number of students who want to participate. The video gaming room could be made more appealing by adding more monitors and internet connections.

Parkway Fields

This lighted Bermuda grass field is well maintained and a quality outdoor field area. This space is used primarily for intramural sports. This field is locked except when used by intramurals or scheduled special events. The consistent feedback received from students was a lack of open outdoor field space. Finding a way to open this field more while still keeping it in playable shape would help in this area.

Funding

The staff has done a tremendous job maximizing their budget. After all expenses are paid there is about $20,000 left to purchase new equipment and perform regular maintenance. A significant amount of the budget is soft money that is generated from camps and other outside entities. The lack of funding has put a tremendous challenge on the staff to run a quality program while scratching for every dollar. Student fees dedicated to the Intramural and Recreational Sports Department would remedy the budget issues. There currently are no student fees earmarked for the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports. Most programs across the country and particularly in our state are funded in part by student fees. Currently the students at the University of Kentucky pay $56.75 per semester for full time students and a pro-rated portion for part time students directly to the Campus Recreation Department.

Marketing and Assessment

The department is very sound in these areas. They take full advantage of the web and existing marketing opportunities within the university. The department is well ahead of the curve with assessment and applying the CAS standards for measuring learning outcomes. The Marketing and Assessment Planning, Strategy and Implementation Schedule for 2007-2008 publication is very impressive.

Risk Management

The goal of risk management is to provide a safe environment for students. Through staff training employees are made aware of their responsibilities and the proper policy and procedures to follow to provide a safe environment for participants. The Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports has one manual that covers all risk management procedures (Intramural Sports Risk Management). This is an invaluable resource for a quick reminder or refresher of proper procedures to follow to ensure a safe environment or to manage incidents when they occur. The risk management practices are on par with or above most universities.

Summary

The strength of The University of Louisville Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports is the experienced staff. That so many of the staff are long-term employees is not only an indication of the strong leadership of the department, but also a testament to the University of Louisville. The most limiting factors of the program are funding and facilities. In summary my recommendations are as follows:

·  Immediately I would recommend taking advantage of the opportunity provided by Extreme Home Makeover to put artificial turf on a field for $200,000. This price is easily a $500,000 savings. The artificial turf field would provide durable needed outdoor field space.

·  Major expansion of the Student Activities Center Recreational Sports Area needs to happen just to catch up with the other state schools. From my discussions with the students this expansion is something they would rally behind and be willing to fund through student fees. These fees should be dedicated to the Intramural and Recreational Sports Department and not only cover paying the bond, but also other operational expenses.

·  The current funding is barely enough to operate. This can be resolved with student fees dedicated to the Intramural and Recreational Sports Department.

·  Due to the popularity and demand for fitness and fitness programming there needs to be a full time staff member dedicated solely to fitness.

·  With the increase in intramural sport participation, adding an assistant intramural coordinator would be beneficial not only in recruiting and training officials but in all aspects of administrating the intramural sports program.