Banner for Texas A&M Rec Sports' event, Rec-A-Palooza, featuring a mascot, a group of participants in a gym, and other engaged attendees at various recreational activities. The event is scheduled for August 25 from 1 PM to 4 PM at the Student Recreation Center.

REC-A-PALOOZA

Sunday, Aug. 24 | 1pm – 4pm | Student Rec Center

It’s a party at the Rec, and you’re invited! Join us for Rec-A-Palooza, a facility-wide celebration welcoming new and returning Aggies to Texas A&M University! This free and interactive event is filled with activities to help you explore the possibilities of a healthy lifestyle! Whether you’re a gym regular or are looking to try something new, Rec Sports is the place for you! Rec-A-Palooza will feature games and challenges from each of our program areas. There is no better place to mingle this Howdy Week than at Rec-A-Palooza! 

But the celebration doesn’t stop once Rec-A-Palooza ends! Beginning the first week of school, Rec Sports will offer Free Weeks, where you can start your recreation routine at no cost! During the first two weeks of the semester, various program areas will be hosting their classes for free! Stop by one of our free programs for a chance to win free swag and more!

Smartphone displaying the Texas A&M University Rec Sports app with various icons for facilities and programs like bookings, aquatics, intramurals, and fitness classes.

You MUST download the Rec Sports app to enter into Rec-A-Palooza.

Event Booths

Person stacking milk crates in a gym and climbing up them while connected to a safety harness.

Crate | Stack | Win

Test your strength & balance through crate stacking. Highest number crates stacked will win you a prize.

Brought to you by Outdoor Adventures

Three people at a gym event, one spinning a prize wheel with various options written on it in multiple colors. A smartphone is being used to capture the moment.

Wheel of Adventures

Learn more about all that OA has to offer. Spin the wheel and win a prize from Outdoor Adventures!

Brought to you by Outdoor Adventures

Four students proudly represent Texas A&M Powerlifting at a recruitment table, displaying a trophy and informational brochures, inside the Student Rec Center.

Join the Team: Sport Clubs Showcase

Make your move! Stop by Sport Club Station and interact with some of the Rec Sports Sport Clubs to get information on how YOU can get involved this Fall.

Brought to you by Sport Clubs

Person holding a pickleball paddle in a crowded indoor gym during a group activity session.

Pickleball Mania

Play, participate and win! Stop and test your aiming skills, staff will toss or serve a pickleball return the shot in one of the targets and win a prize!

Brought to you by Operations & Events

Two people happily engaging in a workout on stationary bikes in a brightly lit indoor gym. The individual in the foreground is wearing a light blue T-shirt and is leaning forward laughing, while the individual in the background, wearing a red T-shirt, is also smiling during the exercise. Both are focused on their activity, using modern cycling equipment.

Discover your Fit

Join us at this high-energy event with mini workouts from the hottest new fitness formats. Whether you’re into pilates, dance, yoga, or boxing — this is your chance to sample a variety of classes, all in one place. Bring your friends, meet our top nationally certified instructors, and explore what moves you. No pressure, no commitment — just fun, sweat, and community!

Brought to you by Fitness & Wellness

Two people in large transparent inflatable balls on water in an indoor swimming pool, with several swimmers in the lanes nearby and banners displaying "ATM" and "Rec Sports" hanging above.

Walking on Water

Get a fresh perspective by rolling across the water at the natatorium! Jump into an inflatable ball and walk on water with Aquatics for a fun and unique experience!

Brought to you by Aquatics

Two individuals playing basketball at an outdoor court during nighttime. One player is holding the basketball and facing the other player, who is in a defensive stance. The court is lit by artificial lights, and there are benches and buildings visible in the background.

Backyard Bonanza

Join us for Rec-A-Palooza, featuring the new Backyard Bonanza area with snowcones, swimming, mini games, volleyball, and more. Whether you're looking to cool off with a refreshing treat, play basketball in the pool, or enjoy a friendly game of volleyball, there's something for everyone. Come hang out, meet new people, and come enjoy the bonanza!

Brought to you by Rec Sports

Aggie Fitness Challenge

Work with our nationally certified personal trainers to improve your form in our Deadlift Workshop. Test your highest vertical with our Vertical Jump Test and push your power output in the SkiErg Test for top watts — all for a chance to win a prize!

Brought to you by Strength & Conditioning

A person wearing a black T-shirt and khaki shorts takes a free throw in a bustling indoor basketball court filled with spectators and players on the court.

Intramural Madness

All YOU do is WIN! Come shoot your (half court) shot and enter to win a FREE Intramural Sports Play Pass. While you’re there, learn about all the Intramural Sports that will be offered during the school year.

Brought to you by Intramural Sports

Two individuals engage in a playful duel on an inflatable gladiator game at an indoor facility, with one person dodging a padded pole swung by the other.

Melt Down

Keep your balance and stay standing! Jump and duck your way to victory and win bragging rights against all of your friends.

Brought to you by Rec Sports

Group of young adults wearing "Rec Sports" t-shirts participating in activities and posing cheerfully in a gym at Texas A&M.

Hiring Hall

Walk through the Hiring Hall at Rec-A-Palooza to explore on-campus job opportunities with the largest student employer on campus! Meet our team, learn about open positions, and find out how you can join a fun, dynamic work environment right here at Rec Sports.

Brought to you by Rec Sports

Event Map

Map of the REC-A-PALOOZA event showing various activity zones and facilities. The layout includes areas labeled from 1 to 15, with names such as Sports Courts, Outdoor Structures Showcase, Quiet Zone, and Wipe Out Zone, arranged along a street named Carrington Dr. A legend on the right provides details of events and locations, marked with corresponding numbers and colors for easy navigation.
“Texas A&M Rec Sports Free Weeks banner with bold text and dates Monday, Aug. 25 – Saturday, Sept. 6 on a maroon and gray background.”

Whether you’re looking to crush fitness goals, try something new, or just have fun, Rec Sports is here to help you get moving and achieve your goals—join us for Rec Sports FREE Weeks Sunday, Aug. 24 – Saturday, Sept. 6!

Banner image for a Rec Sports hiring advertisement, featuring diverse groups of individuals engaged in various recreational sports activities like soccer, basketball, and fitness training.

As the largest student employer on campus, Rec Sports is proud to offer employment, leadership, and development opportunities to students like you! With over 1,000 student employees across the department, Rec Sports puts over $2 million back into the hands of students! 

After graduation, many student employees of Rec Sports go on to become leaders in a variety of job sectors, demonstrating excellence in states across the country. To begin the next stage of your professional development and join the Rec Sports team, visit https://recsports.tamu.edu/employment/

FAQ’s

Rec-A-Palooza is an annual welcoming party for all new and returning Aggies. It is our way to introduce you to Rec Sports, the home of all things recreation! At Rec-A-Palooza, you can enjoy a collection of games and activities while mingling with fellow Aggies! In addition, you can meet professionals from our many program areas to learn about Aquatics, Fitness, Intramural Sports, Outdoor Adventures, Sport Clubs, Strength & Conditioning, and more!

All students can show up to Rec-A-Palooza! Whether you are an incoming freshman or a graduate student, there is something for everyone at Rec Sports!

Absolutely! We welcome all students enrolled at Texas A&M to stop by and see the sheer variety of offerings under the Department of Recreational Sports. We promise you’ll find something that’ll pique your interest!

Not at all! All you need to do is drop by on event day to enjoy one of the biggest events of Howdy Week!

Yep! It’s a party, and you’re invited!

Thank you to our Partners

Highpoint Signs & Apparel logo
Bahama Bucks logo
Clockwork games and events logo
Velvet Taco logo

If you are interested in partnering with Rec Sports for 2025 Rec-A-Palooza, please contact:

Haylie Zavodny
Program Director, Development & Sponsorships
[email protected]  |  (979) 845-6457