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 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 few weeks of school, Rec Sports will offer Find Your Fit, where you can start to find your recreation routine. During the first five weeks of the semester, various program areas will be hosting their classes, offerings and discounts! Stop by one of our events 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.

Download the Rec Sports App

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

DOWNLOAD THE REC SPORTS APP

Event Booths

Students participate in arts and crafts at tables inside a large recreation center studio with mirrored walls and hardwood floors, while others socialize and pose for photos in front of a maroon backdrop in the background.

HOWDY CREATIVE CORNER

Design colorful masterpieces, craft unique keepsakes, or create a vision board to inspire your goals. Whether you’re an artist, a crafter, or just looking for a fun way to relax, this is the perfect place to express your creativity and aggie spirit.

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

CREATE | STACK | WIN

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

Student climber scaling an indoor bouldering wall, gripping green holds while reaching across colorful routes on a steep gray surface.

BOULDERING INTROS

Ready to climb? Meet the Outdoor Adventures team, complete your bouldering waiver and pick up your required wristband to access all three bouldering facilities on campus.

WHEEL OF ADVENTURES

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

A climber navigates routes on the indoor climbing tower at the Student Rec Center.

CLIMB AT THE TOWER

Reach new heights at the Indoor Climbing Tower! Try a few climbs on our roped routes while our experienced staff handles the belay and introduces you to the fundamentals of climbing. Love it? Sign up for a belay clinic to earn your certification and enjoy unlimited climbing throughout the semester.

Colorful kayaks of various sizes are stored upright on indoor racks as part of the Texas A&M Rec Sports Outdoor Adventures rental fleet.

SUP with OA

Take our rental fleet for a test paddle on the Outdoor Pool! Experience a variety of watercraft, meet the Outdoor Adventures staff and receive a discount on your first Outdoor Adventures rental this fall.

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.

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!

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.

FITNESS SHOWCASES

Find your fit at the Fitness Showcase! Experience 10-minute fitness demos featuring dance, cardio, Pilates, Human Reformer and yoga. Bring your friends, meet our nationally certified instructors and explore a variety of classes in a fun, welcoming environment. No experience required — just come ready to move!

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!

Students play outdoor basketball on the Student Rec Center courts as one player takes a jump shot while another contests the shot during a Texas A&M Rec Sports game.

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 outdoor basketball, or enjoy a friendly game of volleyball, there’s something for everyone. Come hang out, meet new people, and come enjoy the bonanza!

AGGIE FITNESS CHALLENGE

Put your strength and speed to the test at the Aggie Fitness Challenge! Work with our nationally certified personal trainers to improve your deadlift technique, test your speed on the Skillmills and see how your grip strength stacks up with the Weighted Gripper. Compete for top scores and a chance to win a prize!

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! Test your skills in the Intramural Wipeout, Crossbar Challenge and Half-Court Hoopla for a chance to win prizes, Rec Sports swag and a FREE Intramural Sports Play Pass. While you’re there, learn about the wide variety of Intramural Sports offered throughout the year and discover how you can get in the game.

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.

ULTIMATE INFLATABLE ZONE

Jump into the Ultimate Inflatable Zone and take on oversized games, obstacle courses and friendly competition with friends. Whether you’re racing to the finish or just playing for fun, there’s something for everyone!

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

HIRING HALL

Looking for a job on campus? Step into the Rec-A-Palooza Hiring Hall! Each racquetball court will be transformed into a mini hiring hub where you can meet staff from different Rec Sports programs that are currently hiring. Swing by to explore open positions, ask questions, and find the perfect fit for your skills and interests. Your next on-campus job might just be a court away!

Event Map

COMING SOON!



Group of Rec Sports staff standing in a fitness facility giving thumbs up.

Rec Sports is Hiring

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.

Learn More

FAQ’S

WHAT IS REC-A-PALOOZA?

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!

WHO CAN ATTEND REC-A-PALOOZA?

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!

CAN I BRING A FRIEND?

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!

DO I HAVE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND REC-A-PALOOZA?

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

IS REC-A-PALOOZA FREE?

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

Two people representing a sponsor are smiling and holding “12th Man” towels inside the Student Rec Center.

Sponsorship Opportunities

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

Haylie Zavodny
Program Director, Development & Sponsorships
hzavodny@rec.tamu.edu
(979) 845-6457