Texas A&M Rec Sports
The Texas A&M Rec Sports mission is to promote activity, wellness, and development by providing high quality, inclusive experiences and facilities for the students and community of Texas A&M University. Rec Sports is proud to continue its mission in service of Texas A&M students and the community at large. With hearts of service and diligence to perform each and every single day, we pledge to provide high quality experiences in recreation through our programs, facilities, and customer service.
Rec Sports has numerous facilities including PEAP, the Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Center, the Penberthy Rec Sports Complex, and our three main facilities: the Student Rec Center, the Southside Rec Center, and the Polo Road Rec Center.
The Student Recreation Center, nicknamed “The Rec”, is the flagship Rec Sports facility at Texas A&M University and one of the premier recreational sports facilities in the nation. Home to 540,000 square feet of recreation space, the Student Recreation Center consists of a myriad of amenities, including a strength and conditioning room spanning over 32,000 square feet, indoor track for walking and jogging, five pools for competitive and recreational swimming, diving and instructional use, and a 44-foot-high indoor climbing wall.
More facts about “The Rec”:
- Indoor court space can be used for basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, and badminton
- Outdoor space includes a pool, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, and shaded pavilion
- An internal Smoothie King grants easy access to sandwiches, smoothies, breakfast tacos, and more
- Each multipurpose/activity room is outfitted with high-quality audiovisual systems that can be used for various functions and events
Opened in August 2022, the Southside Rec Center is the newest addition to the Rec Sports family! Located across the street from the Commons residence Halls on Bizzell Street, this facility gives students additional access to recreational space and equipment on the south side of campus. The facility includes over 63,000 square feet of indoor recreational space with an additional 15,000 square feet of space for recreation outdoors. All Rec Sports members and currently enrolled students paying the Rec Sports fee have access to this facility.
Things to look forward to:
- 25,000 square feet of strength and conditioning space
- Two multi-sport courts available for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and pickleball
- Outdoor turf area
- Two sand volleyball courts
- Lawn space for outdoor activities
- Free day use lockers located throughout the facility
- Walking distance from central and southside residence halls
The Polo Road Rec Center is another great facility for your fitness needs! Located near the intersection of University Drive and Polo Road, this facility hosts group fitness classes, a large strength and conditioning area, and personal training services. The 28,000-square-foot facility is connected to the Polo Road parking garage and is conveniently located near the Zachry Engineering Education Complex.
The Strength & Conditioning area includes:
- Free weight areas including racks, platforms, benches, dumbbells, and a wide variety of plate-loaded equipment
- Machine/pin select strength training equipment
- Cardio equipment including treadmills, climbers, incline trainers, ellipticals, bikes, and rowers with technologically advanced monitors and entertainment options
- Indoor turf area with ab and torso training equipment, kettlebells, battle ropes, medicine balls, foam rollers, and plyo boxes
- Free day use lockers (264 total) and towel service
The Penberthy Rec Sports Complex is the Department of Rec Sports’ outdoor field facility, containing approximately 50 acres of playable space. Located at the corner of George Bush Drive and Penberthy, this facility hosts playing areas for sport clubs, intramural sports, and open recreation. As a courtesy, all fields are lit after sundown, and a lightning shelter/covered pavilion is present on-site in the case of inclement weather.
At Penbethy, you can find:
- 4 artificial turf fields
- 6 natural grass fields
- 2 softball fields with dirt infields
In partnership with the Department of Health and Kinesiology, the PEAP (Physical Education Activity Program) building offers a variety of fitness and wellness classes to all students at Texas A&M. The 95,146-square-foot facility also features areas for gymnastics, fencing, yoga, self-defense, and Pilates.
Here you can:
- Run/walk a lit trail behind the PEAP building
- Take courses in bowling, archery, dancing, golf, mountain biking, and much more
- Earn course credit developing personal fitness
Rec Sports has partnered with PEAP to give students the Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Center! This facility is home to 18 state-of-the-art tennis courts, including 12 that are lit. This facility is used for Health & Kinesiology classes as well as recreational use by Rec Sports members.
FAQ’s
You will need some form of identification to enter the Student Rec Center, Polo Road Rec Center, or Southside Rec Center, but you do have options. You can use either your student ID, a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport), or the Rec Sports app, which is now available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
- Additional source of ID that can be used to enter Rec Sports facilities
- A simple registration process for Rec Sports classes, clinics, trips, and other programs
- Push notifications to stay better informed
Visit the Member Services desk located inside the main entrance of the Student Rec Center or call 979-845-7826 for more information.
Please visit recsports.tamu.edu for a complete list of current hours of operation for all Rec Sports facilities.
Hours may be modified during holidays, breaks, and summer semesters.
Where are the Student Recreation Center, Southside Rec Center, and the Polo Road Rec Center located?
The Student Rec Center is located between Kyle Field and Reed Arena; it is also in between Blue Bell Park and West Campus Garage. Polo Road Rec Center is connected to the Polo Road Garage, and the Southside Rec Center is located across the street from the Commons residence halls on Bizzell Street.
Yes! Rec Sports welcomes guests to all of our facilities. Guests can purchase one of our guess passes to use our facilities for a single day, three days, a week, or a month! For more information, please visit: https://recsports.tamu.edu/services/
Table tennis paddles, speed bags, jump ropes, and various sports balls (like basketballs, soccer balls, etc.) are available free of charge at the equipment desk. Racquets for racquetball, squash, or badminton can also be rented for $1.00 each. In addition, the Outdoor Adventures Rental Center has everything you need for your next expedition! For more inquiries, contact Member Services at 979-845-7826.
Appropriate workout attire is a must! Closed-toed shoes are required, and you’ll also need a towel. You can either bring your own towel or check one out from the equipment desk. Lastly, all bags must be stored in the lockers located throughout the facility.
Please visit recsports.tamu.edu/strength-conditioning for a complete list of strength and conditioning room policies.
Absolutely! The Department of Recreational Sports is one of the largest student employers on campus. With over 1,000 student employees under our purview, there’s sure to be something that piques your interest! For more information, including open positions and an application, visit jobsforaggies.tamu.edu or recsports.tamu.edu/employment.
Rec Sports offers a host of aquatics classes, group fitness classes, personal and small group training opportunities, intramural sports, and outdoor trips. We also have 37 sport clubs that compete in contests regionally and nationally!
If you have additional questions, please call Member Services at 979-845-7826 or reach out to us via social media: