Recreational Sports

The Department of Recreational Sports is committed to offering a wide variety of opportunities that promote an active, healthy lifestyle for persons of all abilities, experience and interests. We invite persons with disabilities to contact Member Services to inquire about accommodations. In addition, children are welcome to use the Rec Center with adult supervision and in accordance to our age and time policies. Please check with Member Services for specifics on our policies and services.

The Walk of Champions is located in front of the Student Recreation Center. This program features two sizes of bricks engraved with the names and affiliations of those contributing to the Walk of Champions brick campaign. Current students and current or retired faculty and staff receive a discount on bricks if they are purchased before they leave the University. Information on the Walk of Champions Brick Campaign is available at the Student Recreation Center or on the department's web site (recsports.tamu.edu).

Aquatic Program offers a variety of water instructional classes including adult swimming, diving, SCUBA, first aid and lifeguard training.

Group exercise classes are seven day a week including early morning, afternoon, and night classes. A variety of class formats are offered such as: step, kickboxing, power dance, group strength training, indoor group cycling, athletic conditioning, and water aerobic classes. Classes are geared to beginner, intermediate, and advanced. At least one class a day is free and all others require a pass that may be purchased at Member Services.

Personal Training is also available to Rec members. Nationally certified Rec Sports Personal Trainers can design a fitness program to meet the client's individual exercise needs. The Personal Trainer will help assess the client's fitness goals and develop a workout plan that will provide safe and effective techniques that get results. The Trainer can also perform fitness assessment and body composition analysis' that takes approximately 30 minutes and includes heart rate and blood pressure measurement, body composition measurement, 3-minute step test, push-up test, sit-up test, flexibility test, and height/weight measurement. The client will receive a packet of information that includes fat-free mass, fat mass, recommended calorie intake, and blood pressure analysis. Personal Training sessions and Personal Fitness Profiles may be purchased at Member Services.

The Healthy Living Lecture Series offers a variety of free lectures that are offered in the Rec Center on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in room 281. These lectures cover issues related to fitness, supplements, nutrition, eating disorders, etc. Schedules are available at the beginning of each semester.

Instructional classes are offered to A&M students and Rec Members that want to learn a new skill or refine ones already learned. The class schedule varies each semester due to the availability of instructor. Traditional classes offered are Yoga, Pilates, dance (country western, salsa, swing), karate, and self-defense, etc. There is a nominal charge for each class and there are a limited number of spaces available. The schedule is available at the start of each semester.

Massage Therapy is offered most days of the week. Our licensed therapists are available to perform Swedish and deep muscle massage. A brochure is available at the Member Services desk that explains the benefits of massage and commonly asked questions. Appointments must be made in advance and the charge to A&M students and Rec Members is $35.00 and $45.00 for non-members. Gift certificates are available. Call 845-7826 for more information.

Drop-in Recreation encompasses the use of recreational facilities such as swimming/diving pools, walking/jogging trails, handball/racquetball courts, indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts located in the Student Recreation Center (Rec Center). The Rec Center also features an indoor rock climbing facility, outdoor basketball courts, outdoor sand volleyball courts, a 14,000 square foot weight and fitness room and a natatorium with an outdoor free-form and lap pool and three indoor pools with an Olympic venue and spring and platform diving. Facilities may be used on a drop-in basis except when reserved for classes or University functions. Student Rec Center Members need only present their student I.D. cards for entry. Daily guest passes are available for visitors.

Intramurals is a highly organized competitive program with various divisions and skill levels of competition to meet the needs and interests of the Texas A&M University students. Events are scheduled each fall, spring and summer semester. Divisions include Fish, Corps, Independent, Residence Hall, Fraternity, and Co-Rec. Three skills levels-(A) advanced, (B) moderate, and (C) novice, are offered in most divisions. In the four major team sports-flag football, volleyball, basketball and slow pitch softball-a recreational class (D) level is also offered. In addition, our sports officiating program allows students the opportunity to learn how to officiate various sports while earning money.

The Texas A&M Sport Club program consists of 29 clubs that offer skill enhancement and competition for members. Any student may join a club, regardless of his/her ability, provided the student has an interest in developing the athletic skills necessary to participate. It is suggested that new participants inquire within the first two weeks of school since many organizations determine traveling teams in September. Every club is run by students, has practice times, use of facilities, and receives some monetary support. Although the only criterion to be a sport club is to represent Texas A&M at competitive events throughout the state, many have gone on to receive national recognition for their efforts.

TAMU Outdoors is comprised of an outdoor equipment rental and retail sales outlet, an indoor rock climbing structure, resource library, basic skill development clinics, and adventure trips. All of these areas form a program designed to provide outdoor experiences for A&M students, faculty/staff, and the local community. Examples of activities include backpacking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing, SCUBA diving, and sea kayaking. Outdoor equipment available for rental includes: six, four and two person Timberline tents, sleeping bags and pads, backpacks, canoes, kayaks, and other camping accessories. For a complete list of trips, clinics, and rental/retail products, please call 845-4511.

Texas A&M Golf Course, Pro Shop and Driving Range is available to meet your golfing needs. Whether you are already on campus or coming to visit, the Texas A&M Golf Course offers everyone the opportunity to golf on a great course at reasonable rates. Contact the golf course at 845-1723 for more information. Open to the public.

For more information on any of the above programs or facilities, please call the Department of Recreational Sports at (979) 845-7826, visit our website at recsports.tamu.edu or come to the Member Services Desk at the Student Recreation Center.