XANDER REEVES ’29: UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE GAME

For Xander Reeves ’29, working for Rec Sports can mean spending the morning with Youth Programs campers and the evening officiating an intramural soccer game.

“Handling the kids is very similar to handling intramural athletes out in the field,” Reeves said. “At the end of the day, it’s just a bunch of people having fun and taking fun things seriously.” 

Reeves is a general engineering sophomore from Sour Lake, Texas. A couple of friends from his freshman leadership organization who played intramural basketball introduced him to Rec Sports. After playing intramural soccer, Reeves became more involved with Intramural Sports when he applied to become an official, trading his role as a player for a referee whistle.  

“I think Intramurals is the best job on campus,” Reeves said. “I think the schedule works very well. Everyone in the office works very well with all the officials. Every shift is fun and I’m excited to show most of the time and it’s a great time because everyone’s always joking, having fun but also being serious when it needs to be.”

Soon after Reeves joined Intramural Sports, Nick Heiar, program director of Intramural Sports, shared a job opening with Youth Programs. Reeves jumped at the opportunity and became a Youth Programs counselor. 

“I’m one of the younger counselors, so I can relate to [the kids] a lot more,” Reeves said. “A lot of them have grown up playing Fortnite. I was playing Fortnite before they were born, so it’s just a lot of being able to relate to them on a level they understand and connect to.” 

Whether working with children or adults, managing conflict is an important part of Reeves’ roles with Intramural Sports and Youth Programs. This summer, Reeves officiated a championship game where teams competed for the ultimate prize: the championship T-shirt.

“In this game, I saw as the participants started chirping at him a little bit, but [Reeves] managed that very well,” said Rylie Rogers, intramural supervisor. “He stayed calm. He was very respectful and was very considerate of all the participants and how he was calling the game, which I think influenced the ending of the game and allowed it to be a fair game.” 

His fairness and calm demeanor come from a place of understanding and familiarity with the sport, the players and the team. Rogers pointed out that before the game starts, Reeves introduces himself to the players and builds a rapport with them, thereby instilling confidence in the calls he will make throughout the game.

This fall, Reeves is preparing to step into a field supervisor position. In this role, he will be responsible for making sure the courts and equipment are ready for every sport while continuing to officiate. Despite the new role, one thing remains unchanged: the connections and friendships he made through Rec Sports. 

“We all hang out outside of work,” Reeves said. “It’s a great time with intramurals. It’s a lot of the same people and that’s really the point that gets me through it — just liking the people I work with.”

LILIANA LARA ’27: ENCOURAGING POSITIVITY THROUGH LIFEGUARDING

Keeping Rec Sports pools safe and open requires a dedicated team of lifeguards. For Liliana Lara ’27, lifeguarding is about more than keeping watch over the pool. It’s also about creating a positive environment for the people around her. With a strong swimming background and two years of previous lifeguarding experience, Lara found a natural fit with Rec Sports Aquatics.

“I met Liliana when I started in my position a little over a year ago, and she was so welcoming [and] so sweet,” said Kendrick Allmendinger, Aquatics coordinator. “Every time she comes into her shift, she’s always positive. She’s always willing to help out. She’s been amazing at picking up shifts over the summer whenever we need someone to come in and help out.”

Despite having prior experience, Rec Sports requires all applicants to recertify, as the interview process includes a physical swim test.

“I was really nervous about the interview, just because here in Rec Sports we have a 17-foot dive well, and part of my interview was to go retrieve the brick from the 17-foot pool, which I have never done before,” Lara said. 

Eventually, she got the job and found her place within Rec Sports. Lifeguarding can be an unpredictable job. Some days are filled with helping patrons, performing rescues or cleaning, while others are spent on the stand, keeping watch over the pool. For Lara, those quieter moments are part of what makes the job so enjoyable.

During the fall and spring semesters, Rec Sports employs more than 130 lifeguards, but that number declines to just over 60 during the summer. Regardless of the season, all lifeguards participate in monthly in-service training. 

“We have our in-service trainings once a month, and a good chunk of it involves the lifeguards practicing their skills, and it can be a very demanding thing,” Allmendinger said. “Lifeguarding isn’t just you take a certification course and that’s it. It’s something where you constantly have to keep up with your skills. Liliana always comes to in-service every month, and she always is there. And she works hard and she practices her skills.”

Carlos Garcia, director of Aquatics, brings in professionals from various fields during in-service training to help his student workers build soft skills. For Lara, one presentation stood out: a session on interviewing skills.

“The time we did have the presentation about interviewing skills, I did improve a little bit,” Lara said. “It just made me a little more confident. I would say I still have a long way to learn from it.”

As Lara enters her senior year, one quality continues to stand out to her supervisors: her positive attitude. 

“You always want to work with someone who helps create a positive working environment,” Allmendinger said. “She’s always smiling and happy to help. Her positivity can be infectious.” 

With students constantly moving in and out of the Student Rec Center to work out or take part in Rec Sports’ programs, it’s easy to think Rec Sports is all about fitness, sports and athletics. But this semester, Rec Sports is going beyond the traditional offerings to welcome a new program area centered on the extra 2% — those looking to connect, learn and try something outside of traditional recreation. .

“I think in the minds of the public, they see Rec Sports as the place where you go lift heavy things, compete against other people and sweat,” said Jason Kurten ’09, associate director of Programs. “But the very definition of recreation is doing things that rejuvenate you, inspire you or make you feel better, and that includes how you spend your leisure time. So, maybe you don’t see yourself as the type of person who comes here to sweat, but do you see yourself as the type of person to meet up with friends to play a board game?”

From asking that question, Leisure & Instructional Programming, the ninth program in the Rec Sports’ directory, was born. Students have the opportunity to participate in doodling classes, coloring sessions, practice meditation and relax at a movie night. Headed by Brandon Bermea ’17, the director of the program, Leisure & Instructional is still under development, but Bermea is looking to hear from the students.

Bermea’s brain has been a stockpile of ideas, from cooking classes to photography to videography, he has been brainstorming his way through creating the program. 

With Rec Sports hosting Find your Fit, the program is also holding something that anyone can enjoy, a movie night on the terrace. Partnering with Aggie Cinema, a student organization that screens feature films, Leisure & Instructional Programming is inviting students to enjoy a movie night at the Rec. 

“I said, “Let’s do [a movie night] on the terrace because I think it’s pretty cool,” Bermea said. “You got the movie playing on one end. You turn around, you’ve got Kyle Field as your backdrop. It’s also the Friday of Midnight Yell, so we’re hopefully planning it to where when you’re done with the movie, and you go to Midnight Yell right after.” 

For students, like Natanya Dominicz ’30, the Rec can also be a place of leisure, a place that goes beyond counting reps, winning games and establishing records. The new program creates room for the hobbies, the routines and the little comforts that make a place feel like home, only this time, surrounded by a community of like-minded students.

“I was so excited to see [the new program] because I’m not much of a sportsy gal, but I do love me a good coloring session,” Natanya Dominicz ’30 said. “I was so happy to see this new opportunity. This is how [Rec Sports is] going to lure me in. That was the goal.” 

Bermea’s vision for the program extends well past this semester or this year, he sees the future impact of the program years down the line. 

“I think it’s really cool to start things from the ground up and to be impacting 80,000 students at one point,” Bermea said. “We might be starting off kind of small this year, but three or five years down the line, when people are saying, ‘I took an instructional class, and that was one of my favorite things that I did at A&M.’ That’s my vision and my goal.” 

As the Leisure & Instructional program kicks into gear, students can help shape the program by pitching their own ideas for class through a survey. Try out a variety of leisure activities like Zen Doodling and Tai Chi, and come find your fit with Leisure & Instructional Programming this semester!

As the fall kicks in, students try to escape the lingering heat of the central Texas sun by retreating to breezy hilltops or diving into the cool waters of Inks Lake. But even the most experienced nature lovers need to safeguard against the outdoors. 

Outdoor Adventures, partnering with National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), is bringing Wilderness First Aid: a two-day hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine. The course welcomes people of all experience levels and educates participants on first-aid treatments for injuries, outdoor illnesses and essential emergency response plans. From the occasional bug bite to an unexpected injury, learn all about the preventative and remedial tactics through NOLS. 

Whether you’re a camp staffer, a graduate student or just a fan of the outdoors, this course is a chance to build real field experience, level up your resume and pick up a handy new skill for your next adventure in the outdoors. The course will be held over the weekend of Oct. 24-25. Register now and become certified in Wilderness First Aid!

This summer, Youth Programs campers had the opportunity to climb the indoor climbing tower. Some were excited, some were nervous and some were a little bit of both. But between the climbing holds and the campers was one person encouraging them to face their fears: Olivia Bogard ’27, an Outdoor Adventures shift worker.

“[Olivia] was really positive working with the kids,” said Michael Gonzalez ’19, climbing program coordinator. “When they said, ‘I’m scared,’ she replied with, ‘Yeah, it is scary, but doing scary stuff is really cool too, right?’” 

Bogard is a psychology major from Missouri City, Texas, who joined Outdoor Adventures without any experience in climbing or outdoor recreation. Like many students, Bogard was initially looking for a job, but first she had to make it through the interview process. 

“I was asked to do a one- to two-minute mini-teach, and I had previously worked at Aqua-Tots, so I did my little teaching lesson for the 3-year-olds on how to hold your breath for five seconds, and that was really awkward because I was like, ‘All right, everyone, make a bubble,’ and it was funny, but y’all were great,” Bogard said. 

Her personality made an impression during that interview. 

“Bogard just has this energy about her,” Gonzalez said. “I think she is a positive light in the work environment, and a lot of people gravitate toward that. So, it was really cool to see her step into the interview and think about what she could bring to the team.”

Staff members at Outdoor Adventures are trained primarily in customer service and risk management. In addition to opening and closing the Rental Center and climbing tower, Bogard answers phones, helps patrons with rental gear and serves as a belayer when needed. 

“This was my first campus job, and something that’s different with this from all of my other experience elsewhere is that this job requires a lot more communication than I was used to,” Bogard said. “Any other job I went to, I go to my shift, I leave and I’m done. This one teaches you how to communicate, how to check your emails [and] how to check your Teams messages.” 

Bogard joined Outdoor Adventures while the climbing tower was still under construction and underwent training before she could begin working at the tower. 

“I needed to know what holds were what, what the devices were and the knots and everything like that,” Bogard said. “Me having no knowledge about it at all, I’d be reading articles and taking notes and you had to do your homework coming in for training. I’ve never experienced this before.” 

Once Bogard learned the holds, devices and knots, she thought her training on the wall was complete. But little did she know, she would have to learn to climb as well. 

“I came in being like, ‘Oh, I’m just going to work at the Rental Center. If I work the climbing wall, I’m not going to have to get on the wall ever,’” Bogard said. “I think a lot of my coworkers came in with a lot of experience. So when I got hired, Michael would be in my ear all the time, being like, ‘You need to get on the wall.’”

Eventually, she followed her own advice by doing the scary thing and climbing the wall. Bogard also had the support of her supervisors, who welcomed her questions, pushed her to face her fears and helped her build confidence. 

“We work a lot on how to facilitate an experience for a climber who may be scared. You work with them. You meet them at a personal level,” Gonzalez said. “I said, ‘Olivia, you should get on the wall. Olivia, you should get on the wall.’ Then she sends me a message on Teams one day saying, ‘I climbed today and I crushed it,’ and I replied, ‘Yeah, you should be proud of yourself because doing scary things is cool.’” 

For Bogard, that support helped create a sense of belonging and community within Outdoor Adventures.

“You were never angry with me, and I think that helped me keep coming back to you with those questions,” Bogard said. “And that, in turn, relates to building community and doing things that you’re scared of [because] building that safe space at OA is really important because it’s going to help all of us be there for each other when we’re doing those scary things.”

Outside of Rec Sports, Bogard stays involved in several student organizations and plays in a band that performs at events across Bryan-College Station. She initially wanted a job with Outdoor Adventures because of its flexibility and convenience, but Rec Sports opened the door to new experiences and perspectives.

“Y’all really forced me to find the value in this job and find value in working because I came in wanting to climb and go camping more,” Bogard said. “I went alone with one of my friends to Big Bend and it’s really pushing me out there and wanting to do things that I wouldn’t have done without y’all.”

With only a year left before graduation, Bogard is preparing to take on more responsibility within Outdoor Adventures. This fall, she plans to help train incoming shift workers and share what she has learned.

“We want you to learn that communication,” Gonzalez said. “We want you to learn that accountability. We want you to learn adaptability. We want you to learn that asking questions is important. We want students to gain a lot of skills and develop as leaders and then hopefully pass that on to the next generation.”

Now, Bogard has the opportunity to offer incoming shift workers the same support and encouragement she received when she first joined Outdoor Adventures.

Whether you’re looking to stay active, meet new people or try something new, Rec Sports has a place for you this fall.

EVENTS & UPDATES

Rec-A-Palooza is almost here! Mark your calendars for Sunday, Aug. 23, from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Student Rec Center. Get ready for a party at the Rec! Come play games, win some swag, discover everything Rec Sports has to offer and find your place within our community. Be sure to bring your student ID and download the Rec Sports app for a faster check-in process at the main entrance of the Student Rec Center. 

Alongside Rec-A-Palooza, Rec Sports is also hosting Find Your Fit, sponsored by Highpoint Signs & Apparel, to help students build their own recreation routine. During the first five weeks of the semester, various program areas will be offering a variety of classes, events and activities designed to help you discover what fits your interests, goals and lifestyle. If you attend any one of our events, you’ll automatically be entered to win a grand prize!

NEW PROGRAM AREA ALERT

Starting this fall, Leisure & Instructional Programming is introducing a variety of arts and crafts workshops, leisure activities, creative programs and much more. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, get creative or simply unwind, there’s something for you!

Visit the Leisure and Instructional Programs page to learn more.

Have an idea for a future class or activity? Complete our short survey and tell us what you’d like to see.

LEARN TO SWIM WITH AQUATICS

Aquatics will offer two Adult Learn-to-Swim packages this semester. Package 1 runs Monday, Sept. 14, through Thursday, Oct. 8, and Package 2 runs Monday, Oct. 26, through Thursday, Nov. 19.

Not sure if Adult Learn-to-Swim is right for you? From Monday, Aug. 24, through Thursday, Aug. 27, students can try a class for FREE before registering for a package. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced swimmer looking to refine your technique, Adult Learn-to-Swim welcomes swimmers of all skill levels.

Ready to take your skills a step further? Get certified through Rec Sports! American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification training provides the skills and preparation you need to take the next step toward becoming a lifeguard. For questions, email rec-aquatics@tamu.edu.

WIN AN UNLIMITED PLAY PASS

Purchase your Unlimited Play Pass by the end of the day on Monday, Aug. 24, and you will be entered into a drawing to be reimbursed. From soccer and basketball to fantasy football and esports, Intramural Sports offers more than 20 different kinds of play this semester. Start the fall with a friendly match, or bring in your competitive streak and take it to the playoffs for a chance to earn your spot on the Wall of Champions.

TRAIN WITH OUR PERSONAL TRAINERS

If you’re looking to build a consistent workout routine but find it hard to stay on track, a little accountability can go a long way. Book a session with one of our certified personal trainers and get the support, motivation and guidance you need to reach your fitness goals. 

Interested in becoming a certified personal trainer? Strength & Conditioning is also offering a Personal Training Certification Prep Course. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, this course helps students prepare for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer exam and develop the skills needed to create effective workout plans, help others reach their fitness goals and pursue employment as a personal trainer.

SMALL GROUP TRAINING WITH STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

From Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, Strength & Conditioning is offering a FREE week of Intro to Strength Training and Strength & Conditioning Fundamentals classes. These small-group classes combine strength training, cardio and agility drills to help you work toward your individual fitness goals. Package 1 begins Sept. 8, so try out a free session and see if you can find your fit.

TAKE YOUR PICK OF SPECIALTY CLASSES AND GROUP RECXERCISE 

Fitness & Wellness is adding three more Group RecXercise classes to its lineup. Cycle to the beat with Rhythm Ride, test your strength with Stronger45 or try a fusion of Pilates and barre with Sculpt. Whatever your fitness goals, there’s a class for you! 

In addition, Pilates Reformer and Boxing Bootcamp are back with a FREE WEEK from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4. Students can also register for one-on-one Pilates Reformer training before joining a group class to become familiar with the reformer, straps and pulleys. Beginning Sept. 1, participants can sign up for three Pilates Reformer private sessions by Oct. 30 and receive three partner training sessions for the price of one.

On Oct. 14, Silent at the Disco returns with neon lights, headphones, glow sticks and plenty of energy. Held from 6-7 p.m. in Room 2229 of the Student Rec Center, the event gives you the chance to bring friends, make new connections and dance like no one’s watching. 

PLAN, CLIMB AND RENT GEAR WITH OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

From climbing clinics to weekend getaways, Outdoor Adventures is going all out this semester. If you’ve ever wanted to climb our tower or brush up on your skills, the Climbing Orientation Clinic on Sept. 1 offers an introduction to the world of climbing. From belay fundamentals to climbing technique, learn the skills you need to start your next climbing adventure.

Students can also join the Outdoor Adventures team on a variety of trips. Whether it’s fly fishing at Aggie Park, paddleboarding at Inks Lake or spending a day at Galveston Bay, there’s something for every adventurer. Want to plan your own adventure? Rent gear from the Rental Center and find what you need to get outside and start exploring.

JOIN AND TRAVEL WITH SPORT CLUBS

Rec Sports is home to 40 sport clubs, many of which will be recruiting new members this fall. Some clubs require previous experience, while others welcome beginners and will teach you the skills you need to get started. Check out upcoming recruitment opportunities on the Sport Clubs webpage. 

Not ready to join? You can still get in on the action. Catch Sport Clubs competing throughout the semester and cheer on your fellow Aggies right here on campus.

REC SPORTS IS HIRING

Looking for a job that works with your class schedule and gives you more than just a paycheck? Rec Sports offers on-campus jobs with competitive pay, flexible schedules and opportunities to build real-world skills. Whether you want to gain experience, meet new people or earn extra money, there’s a place for you at Rec Sports.

• Intramural Sports is hiring officials for basketball, flag football, soccer, softball and volleyball. Attend one required orientation session on Aug. 24 or Aug. 25 at 8:30 p.m. in Room 2229 of the Student Recreation Center.
• Youth Programs is hiring counselors who are passionate about working with children and supporting their personal and social development.
• Outdoor Adventures is hiring trip leaders, route setters and staff for the Rental Center and climbing wall, with no experience required and informational sessions Sept. 2 and Sept. 10.

These are just a few of the opportunities available! Click HERE to explore all open positions and apply.

From trying a new class and finding your next adventure to cheering on fellow Aggies and landing an on-campus job, there are plenty of ways to make Rec Sports part of your fall. Find what fits you, try something new and make the most of your semester at the Rec!

Archery

The Archery Club had a championship season, building on a third-place team finish at the 2025 USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals and leading with title wins at both Collegiate Indoor and Outdoor Nationals in 2026. Individually, Rendyn Brooks ’28 tied for seventh, Sawyer Sullivan ’27 tied for 14th and Jacob Merkel ’29 tied for 31st at the 3D National Championships.

The nationals team brought home their 24th Outdoor Nationals Championship this year and they are looking forward to achieving their 25th this coming season. The team finished the season with 17 All-Americans, two Archers of the Year, 13 mixed-team medals and six individual medals at the outdoor nationals. 

“One moment that stood out to me was when we raised the Collegiate Outdoor trophy after a year of hard work and coming together as a team. It was incredibly rewarding to accomplish the goal we had all been working toward throughout the season.” — Trapper Feuerbacher ’28 , Vice President of the Archery Club

Baseball

The Baseball Club captured the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA), Gulf Coast South Conference Championship title with a 14-4 record win. They advanced to the Gulf Coast Regional Tournament in Monroe, Louisiana as the No. 1 seed where they played against Auburn University, Parker University and Baylor University. 

Men’s Basketball

The Men’s Basketball Club finished second in the Lone Star Sport Club Conference and the Houston Club Sports Basketball Conference before reaching the NIRSA quarterfinals.

Women’s Basketball

The Women’s Basketball Club travelled to Austin to compete in the NIRSA Regional Tournament and finished 14th overall at the NIRSA National Championships.

Bowling

The Bowling Club competed in Mid-States Intercollegiate Bowling Tournament in Wichita, Kansas and six Southwest Intercollegiate Bowling Conference (SWIBC) events before proceeding to the SWIBC Championships.The women’s team placed first at SWIBC III while the men’s team ranked second at SWIBC IV. The club ranked 15th nationally. They also participated in the Glenn Carlson Las Vegas Invitational and the Collegiate Shoot-Out spanning over four days in Las Vegas. 

Cheer Squad

The Cheer Squad placed third in the All Girl Intermediate division at the National Cheer Association (NCA) National Championship.

Climbing

The Climbing Club competed throughout the Collegiate Climbing Series with some members qualifying for nationals. Amber Chung ’26 qualified for the Collegiate National Championships Boulder Final and ranked 11th in the championship. 

Crew

The Crew Team found success at Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championship Regatta, with Francisco Andrade ’27 winning gold in the men’s single, and Drew Willis ’26 and Cameron Berg ’29 earning silver in the men’s double. The Novice Women’s 4+, which is a beginner team within the club, placed sixth in SIRA 2026. 

Cricket

The Cricket Club capped off a successful season by winning the 2026 National College Cricket Association (NCAA) National Championship, securing their second nationals title in three years. Shreyan Satheesh ’26 was named both Best Batsman and Best Bowler at the tournament, while Maurya Shah ’26 earned Man of the Match honors in the championship final.

Cycling

In the South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference (SCCCC) hosted by USA Cycling, Eli Kubicek ’27 placed 61st and Patrick Spillers ’26 placed 64th in the short race category. In the cross country race, Kubicek placed 63rd, Spillers ranked 72nd and Braden Roder ’26 earned 73rd. 

Disc Golf

The Disc Golf Club finished second in the South Central Collegiate Conference before three teams competed nationally, resulting in a 14th place finish for C-team, 15th place rank for B-team and led by an 8th place finish by the A-team.

Fencing

The Fencing Club enjoyed a successful season with strong conference finishes across all three weapons — sabre, foil and epee. The team placed first in foil and epee in the Southwest Intercollegiate Fencing Association (SWIFA) conference before advancing to nationals hosted by the United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs (USACFC). John Neal ’28 stole the cup, capturing the epee championship as the three teams secured a top-8 finish nationally.

Gymnastics

The Gymnastics Club had a successful year at both the state and national levels, beginning with the Texas Gymnastics Conference (TGC) Championships hosted at Texas A&M University. The club earned multiple first-place team finishes, including Women’s XCEL, Diamond and Level 9, as well as men’s Collegiate Level 9 and GymACT. At the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC) National Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, the women’s Level 9 team advanced to the second day of competition and finished fourth nationally. Several Aggies also earned top individual finishes, including Arianna Torres ’27, who placed second on floor in XCEL Silver and Peter Brady ’27, who took third on rings in Level 9. Sarah Buchanan ’27, Bryce Cannon ’27 and Ahren Peters ’27 also recorded top-six finishes in their respective events.

“Every year, the nationals competition is the highlight of the entire season. Being able to travel with our club to another state to compete at the national level brings out the best in each of us. Our athletes train the entire school year to compete at this final competition, where we compete not only individually, but as a team. We support every athlete competing and make sure we all attend every competition to show off our school pride. It is a competition that forges memories that will last a lifetime.” — Ahren Peters 27, President of the Gymnastics Club

Golf

The Golf Club played in four tournaments within the Texas Region events, hosted by the National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) and won a tournament at the Delaware Springs Golf Course, achieving the Texas Region title. They placed third at the NCCGA Pinehurst Open, ending their fall season strong. In the spring, they went to nationals at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico finishing seventh overall.

Ice Hockey

The Ice Hockey Club finished second in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference (TCHC). The highlight of their season is their victory against University of Texas in a shootout match on Jan. 23 leading them into the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) West Regional competition as the No.13 seed. 

Judo

The Judo Club had a standout showing at the 2026 National Collegiate Judo Association (NCJA) Championships, winning national team titles in both the Novice Men’s and Women’s Elite divisions and bringing home 19 individual medals. Paolo Maaskant ’26 was among the six individual national champions, capturing the 81 kilogram title and finishing the year with an 11-2 record. 

Men’s Lacrosse

The Men’s Lacrosse Club finished the season with a 7-6 record, placing third in the Lone Star Alliance Conference and 37th nationally. Ryan Wyrick ’27 led the Aggies with 72 goals and 22 assists, earning the Lone Star Alliance Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors. 

Women’s Lacrosse

The Women’s Lacrosse Club placed second in the Texas Women’s Lacrosse League Division 1 Regional Tournament. As they proceeded to nationals, they finished their season with a 12-10 overall record after earning the No. 14 seed in the USA Lacrosse Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associate (WCLA) Division I National Championship held in Naples, Florida. 

Pistol

The Pistol Team sent 11 members to the National Rifle Association (NRA) Intercollegiate Pistol Championships, while two members qualified for the USA Shooting Junior Olympic National Championships. The club also earned a silver medal and a spot on the Junior National World Cup and Championship Team, while two Aggies were selected for the Team USA Shooting National Team in Olympic Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol.

Polo

The Polo Club advanced deep into postseason competition, with the men’s team reaching the national semifinals and the women’s team finishing as national runners-up in the 2026 United States Polo Association (USPA) Division I National Intercollegiate Championship. The women’s team faced its rival, University of Virginia, in the semifinals after defeating the team the previous year to win the national title. The Aggies came away with a 17-13 victory.

Powerlifting

The Powerlifting Club qualified athletes for nationals and produced multiple national champions, including Will Eckford ’26, who placed first in the men’s 75-kilogram equipped division; Gabriel Rodriguez ’27, who placed first in the men’s 60-kilogram equipped division; and Isabella Recendex ’26, who placed first in the Women’s 60-kilogram equipped division. Overall, the team earned top-four finishes in the men’s raw and women’s equipped divisions, a third-place finish in the men’s equipped division and eight All-American honors. 

Racquetball

The Racquetball Club finished fourth overall at the USA Racquetball National Championships, highlighted by a second-place finish from the men’s team and a fourth-place finish from the women’s team.

Men’s Rugby

The Men’s Rugby Club captured first place in Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s competition before going on to finish fourth in National 7s Men’s Division 1AA. Dylan Dominey ’27 and Neel Menon ’29 were given Men of the Tournament honors.

Women’s Rugby

The Women’s Rugby Club competed in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) D1 Lonestar Conference, earning second in both 15s and 7s.

Sailing

The Sailing Team earned a pair of runner-up finishes in Southeastern Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SEISA) placing second in both the co-ed fleet and women’s championship events.

“We are able to learn so much in these regattas. We see teams from out of conference, experiencing different competition. The competition is more difficult out of conference, and the conditions vary as well.” — Evie Dubois ’27, President of the Sailing Club

Men’s Soccer

The Men’s Soccer Club finished fourth overall in the Texas Club Soccer League (TCSL) Premier Conference and advanced to the NIRSA National Championships, where the A-team had a 3-2 record. They won the consolation bracket to finish 17th in the nation.

“A great blend of competitive sport and camaraderie. I most enjoyed the road trips and intense moments on the field with my teammates. Competing at the national tournament in Kansas City. The bonds within our team grew after an already formative season.” — James Steffes ’27, President of the Men’s Soccer Club

Women’s Soccer

The Women’s Soccer Club earned a second-place overall finish in the TCSL conference and advanced to the NIRSA National Championships.

Swimming

The Swimming Club were the Southwest Swim League (SWSL) Champions this season with first-place finishes from both men’s and women’s teams. At the College Club Swimming (CCS) National Championships, the club placed 24th out of 144 teams, with the men finishing 19th and the women 29th.

Taekwondo

The Taekwondo Club earned several podium finishes in Southern Collegiate Taekwondo Conference (SCTC) before competing at the National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA) Championships, where the club ranked 13th out of 19 teams. The men’s beginner C-team sparring squad advanced through the semifinals to the finals, while the women’s team reached the quarterfinals

Trap & Skeet

The Trap & Skeet Club earned third place overall in Division I at theAssociation of College Unions International (ACUI) National Championships. The club also captured team titles in Skeet and Sporting Clays and placed second in trap. Individually, Kennedy Thompson ’27, Kayla Kane ’27 and Eddie Barrera ’26 were among several Aggies who earned top-three finishes across multiple events.

Triathlon

The Triathlon Club had a successful year in the South Midwest Collegiate Triathlon Conference (SMWCTC), tying for first overall in the conference. The women’s team finished first at all five conference races, while the men consistently placed in the top two. Madison Garcia ’26 and Daisy de Carlos ’27 finished first and second individually among the women, while Benjamin Brier ’27 and Scott Steinhilber ’30 placed fourth and fifth among the men. The club also competed at the Collegiate Club National Championships, placing 41st nationally.

Men’s Ultimate

The Men’s Ultimate Club found success throughout the year, winning the River Rat Classic in the fall. In the spring, the club finished second at the USA Ultimate South Texas D-I Conference Championships and earned fourth place at the South Central Regional Championships.

Women’s Ultimate

The Women’s Ultimate Club finished fifth in the USA Ultimate Texas D-I Women’s Conference on April 11–12, 2026, held at the UT Dallas Soccer Fields in Richardson, Texas.

Men’s Volleyball

The Men’s Volleyball Club placed third in Southern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (SIVA) Championships and advanced to the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) National Championships, where the club finished ninth.

Women’s Volleyball

The Women’s Volleyball Club found success at both the conference and national levels, with the A-team winning the SIVA championship title and the B-team placing third. At the NCVF National Championships, the A-team finished fifth and the B-team earned a runner-up finish.

Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding competed under USA Wakeboarding, representing the club at the national governing body level. They also participated in the Cactus Classic Wake Competition in Phoenix, Arizona where Travis Barr ’27 finished first in the Men’s Open and Ellianne Patrick ’26 placed first in the Women’s Open. 

Men’s Water Polo

The Men’s Water Polo Club finished first in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Texas Division and earned third place at the CWPA National Championship. Leyton Kraft ’27 and Travis Thames ’28 received Second Team All-National honors, while Kraft was also named Texas Division MVP.

Women’s Water Polo

The Women’s Water Polo Club also earned two podium finishes in the CWPA Texas Division, with the A-team placing second and the B-team finishing third.

“A season highlight definitely would have been at our home tournament in the end of February. We were playing UT, there was like a couple seconds left in the game and we were tied 10-10. And then literally with a couple seconds left, one of my teammates, she shot the ball. It literally went straight into the goal, as the buzzer was going off. And that was definitely a really cool season moment because it was a last minute buzzer beater.” — Reagan Smith ’26, President of the Women’s Water Polo Club

Water Ski

The Water Ski Club finished third in South Central Region (SCR) Collegiate Regionals before placing 10th at the National Collegiate Water Ski Association (NCWSA) Division 1 National Championships. Collin Fogle ’27 became the first Aggie in club history to complete a 35-off slalom run.

Wrestling

The men’s team placed 39th overall at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Championships. Juan Cantu ’27 led the club individually at nationals with a seventh-place finish.

Most intramural sports involve a ball, a court or a field. Battleship replaces all three with canoes, buckets, shields paired with a swimming pool, creating an interactive game built around fun and camaraderie. 

Battleship is a five-player team sport where canoes are placed throughout the Student Recreation Center’s indoor lap pool, with one team assigned to each canoe. Four teammates sit inside the canoe armed with buckets or shields while a fifth teammate, known as the navigator, pushes the canoe through the water. Teams earn points by sinking opposing canoes while avoiding penalties.

While Battleship may look chaotic from the pool deck, most participants quickly find their footing — even if they have no idea what to expect.

“They’re so confused [and] they have no idea what’s going on,” said Austin Herbert ’23, intramural coordinator. “But they pick it up really quickly, and then they have the time of their lives.”

What begins as a lighthearted event often transforms into fierce competition once the games begin. Carly Herndon ’26, graduate assistant for Intramural Sports, said many students initially approach Battleship as a goofy activity before becoming invested in the outcome.

“We’ve had to change the sportsmanship ratings because people are getting really intense,” Herndon said. “We had somebody come in and protest that another team should have been the champions. People are invested, and we have to figure out how to cater to them. And so, we’ll have people watching very intentionally and pointing out specific things. It’s becoming one of our more intense sports.”

That growing competitive spirit has also fueled Battleship’s popularity across campus.

“We’ve gotten to where registration fills faster and faster,” Herndon said. “It used to be three days and we’d be half full, but now it’s five minutes, and we’re completely full. We’re looking for ways to open new spots.”

For Brian Chou ’27 and his team, Battleship became a new experience after participating in traditional games like volleyball, soccer and softball. 

“Battleship looked like a lot of fun,” Chou said. “We just said, ‘Let’s give it a shot,’ and then we loved it. Afterward we always go get Andy’s, win or lose. It kind of became a tradition, and then we sit and chat there for a while.”

Those friendships and traditions are exactly what Herndon hopes students take away from the event.

“I’m a strong proponent of silly games bringing people together,” Herndon said. “There’s something about just doing something that nobody’s super good at, that’s really fun and bonds people. You’re all trying something new, you’re all a little unsure about it and it forms a bond with the other people on your team.”

Battleship is available to sign up through IMLeagues during both the fall and spring semesters. To play any intramural sport, students would need to purchase a play pass. As the semester comes near, wait for the opportunity to win an Unlimited Play Pass for free and keep an eye out for more information on all Rec Sports’ offerings on our website.

As Youth Programs wraps up its summer camps, campers have been making the most of the new specialty offerings this summer. Read more to see how these specialty features enhanced camp and gave campers a summer to remember. 

Summit Seekers Specialty Climbing Camp 

Two weeks into summer camp, Youth Programs opened with Summit Seekers Specialty Climbing Camp for campers between the ages of 10 and 15. Campers had the opportunity to climb on the renovated rock wall and bouldering wall for a week. 

“I know a lot of them had some sort of experience, but they didn’t really have any technical experience, which is what this camp focused on,” said Abigail Smith ’27, indoor climbing facilities supervisor. “One of the first things we did was we taught them the different types of climbing holds that they would use. We had them memorize them, know what they look like, know how to use them, and I think that immediately helped.” 

Summit Seekers not only involved climbing but also traditional camp activities like tie-dying T-shirts, making paracord friendship bracelets and playing Battleship in the indoor pool. Youth Programs also partnered with Fitness & Wellness to offer a climber flow yoga session. But at the end of the day campers only wanted one thing. 

“They wanted to climb more,” Smith said. “They were giving each other advice on what to do. They were going up the routes quicker. They were having a lot more fun too.”

While Summit Seekers has wrapped up for the summer, Youth Programs hopes to bring back more specialty camp options next year.

“Moving forward, I see Summit Seekers continuing to grow as we refine the program and build awareness,” Director of Youth Programs Sarah Beth Heiar said. “I also envision partnering with other areas of Rec Sports to develop additional specialty camps that provide unique experiences for campers.”

One thing that Executive Director Jeff Huskey wants others to know is that Rec Sports has always been about so much more than sweat.

Looking back at its humble beginnings in 1926 as the Intramural Department, Rec Sports has known one truth about Aggies: if you build it, they will come. That’s the philosophy behind the facilities and programs that students in Aggieland have come to know and love so well.

At a glance, five recreational facilities with nearly 700,000 square feet of indoor space serve approximately two million visitors per year. As one of the largest recreational sports departments in the nation, its imprint on life in Aggieland for the past 100 years is equally as impressive as its square footage. Behind the scenes, 38 full-time staff members support what will soon be nine program areas that do far more than keep Aggies active, but shape who they become.

While supporting students in their personal passions for movement, Rec Sports is hard at work building leaders of character, creating spaces where lasting relationships are built, connecting Aggies to a deep network of Rec Sports alumni and having fun while doing it. Celebrating 100 years of the Aggie experience in motion, we’re honoring the people, places and moments that made it all possible, and looking ahead to the next hundred years.

RISING TO MEET THE NEED: 1920s – 1930s

The first recreational sports programs in the United States emerged as early as 1919 to meet the needs of growing student enrollment trends after World War I. Looking for ways to engage more students in physical fitness, fun and social involvement, universities, including Texas A&M, began adopting recreational sports into their official offerings.  

For the Aggies, these programs were a perfect fit. 

The first recreational initiative at Texas A&M was led by Walter L. Penberthy, lovingly referred to as “Penny” and later as the father of intramurals. Known for his unwavering dedication to the Aggies and his ability to remember the names of every student he met, Penberthy took no credit for the enthusiastic response to participation in intramural recreation.

By the 1930s, more than 1,300 Aggies were participating in intramural activities such as basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, volleyball, football and more. This would only be the beginning. For the next five decades, Penberthy led a department that would grow alongside every generation of Aggies it served.

A NEW ERA: 1960s – 1970s

The Intramural Department was picking up steam nationally in intercollegiate recreational competition. At the same time, the growing enrollment of women at Texas A&M marked the beginning of a new era that would transform the university and Rec Sports alike.

By 1963, women were able to enroll at Texas A&M, but the Intramural Department participation was still heavily male-dominated in the early 1970s. Executive Director Dennis Corrington moved quickly to expand programming and better serve the changing Aggie population.

Coed sports were introduced, along with multiple levels of competitive leagues, offering women a real entry point into recreational programs. The response was immediate, and the growth that followed was unlike anything the department had experienced.

Looking back, the entire era can be summed up by a department willing to change its model to keep up with and reflect the students it served. Navigating that kind of growth required more than good programming, it required the right people leading it. Corrington’s approach to building his staff was intentional, and it became the foundation the department relied on for decades to come.

BUILDING THE BEST FACILTIES AND A CULTURE OF FAMILY: 1980s – 1990s

In 1983, Rec Sports joined a new home, the Division of Student Services, later known as the Division of Student Affairs. It was a natural fit for a department that had always understood its work with students as integral to life in Aggieland.

At the same time, the department was hitting its stride — expanding programs, investing in new facilities and growing its footprint across campus. But alongside every new court, pool and field, something less tangible was being built: a culture. The kind that made people stay longer than they planned, come back after they’d gone and bring others with them when they did.

Staff who arrived not knowing anyone found community. Students who came looking for something to do found belonging. And both groups kept returning, as former students, as mentors and as Aggies who couldn’t forget what the Rec had meant to them. That culture had a name, even if no one assigned it one officially. Everyone who passed through simply called it family.

STUDENTS FIRST, ALWAYS: 1990s – 2020s

The opening of the Student Recreation Center (SRC) in 1995 changed everything about the scale at which Rec Sports could serve Aggies. 

While still under the leadership of Executive Director Dennis Corrington, the push to build the SRC was a student-supported effort from the beginning. A record number of students turned out to vote in favor of its construction, demonstrating their commitment to expanding recreation opportunities on campus. By the time the SRC opened its doors on Aug. 26, 1995, Rec Sports had already proven that Aggies showed up when given the opportunity. During its first year, the facility welcomed nearly 6,000 visits a day, kicking off a new era of recreation and wellness at Texas A&M. (Source: The Battalion)

When Rick Hall became director in 2018, the department continued its tradition of growing alongside the university while keeping student development at its core. As plans moved forward for the Polo Road Rec Center and Southside Recreation Center, Hall and his team visited student organizations across campus, presenting models, renderings and photos that illustrated the vision for the new facilities. The Polo Road Rec Center opened in January 2021, followed by the Southside Recreation Center in August 2022, expanding recreation and wellness opportunities for a growing campus.

Beyond expanding its facilities, Rec Sports also stepped into its expansion with a clear priority on student development. What began as on-the-job training for intramural officials evolved into intentional programming built around real-world skills: conflict resolution, leadership, communication, composure under pressure and more. The department eventually hired a staff member dedicated to student development. Years later, former students continued to share how the experiences and skills they gained through Rec Sports prepared them for their careers.

THE FUTURE OF REC SPORTS

The next hundred years will bring new spaces, new programs and new ways of reaching Aggies across a campus that keeps evolving. Yet what Executive Director Jeff Huskey hopes stays consistent is something that began in 1926 — the personal touch. The sense that even at one of the largest universities in the country, no Aggie feels like a number. 

Rec Sports will remain a community on campus where students don’t just show up to work out, but where vastly different majors can discover common ground on an intramural court. Where a freshman far from home finds that they belong here. Where Aggies of all kinds can find their groove in the weight room or in a group fitness class. 

A century later, the scale of Rec Sports is something Penberthy’s 1926 version of the department couldn’t have anticipated. But reflecting on the department’s legacy, it’s clear that the facilities and the people who fill them have always grown together. 

Rec Sports has been a consistent force for good in Aggieland because through the years, the people who built this department understood that world-class facilities and genuine student investment aren’t competing priorities. Together, they’re part of the same mission to give every student at Texas A&M access to the spaces, programs and experiences they need to move, grow and belong. And if the next hundred years look anything like the last, that mission will be carried forward the same way it always has been, with Aggies at the center of it all.

Learn more about Recreational Sports’ centennial story at Texas A&M University.