Programs of Growth
Rec Sports programs look into the future
A hundred years have passed, and a century of growth now define Rec Sports. Starting with one program area, Intramural Sports, Rec Sports has expanded into eight, offering everything from facilities to classes to certifications. Although many program areas have not reached their own 100-year milestone, Rec Sports brings them together under one umbrella, placing students at the center of it all.
“I am so very thankful for Rec Sports giving me the ability to stay active while taking classes at TAMU,” Ashlyn Yee ’27 said. “100 years means 100 years of giving students access to stay healthy physically and mentally with the best people. I met all my closest friends at the Rec just by starting a conversation. So, cheers to 100 years of an infinite amount of friends!!”
Student Kickoff Event
The first event celebrating 100 years of Rec Sports opened with the Student Celebration. The event took place throughout the Student Rec Center, with stops ranging from video booths and meeting Reveille to a live band performance, all set within a marketplace of swag and food.
“I had so much fun at the 100 Year Student Kickoff Event!” Kennedy Farmer ’29 said. “Hearing about the history, listening to live music and talking to so many different people made it so enjoyable!”
Intramural Sports: “Get Games Played”
Intramural Sports is the only program area officially celebrating its 100-year milestone alongside Rec Sports, as the department was originally established as the “Intramural Department.” With more than 30 sports, the program offers students a place to compete in a sport of their choice in a friendly, competitive setting. The primary motto of Intramural Sports is to “get games played,” commonly known as “GGP” inside the Intramural Sports offices.
“Our student staff are committed to making sure games happen each night,” said Kaulin Andric, assistant director of Intramural Sports. “Whether that means helping a participant finish a quiz, purchase a play pass or even starting a game a few minutes late because a team just arrived, the priority is always the same: find a way to get the game played.”
That motto is something the program will carry into the next 100 years.
“Each generation of students is different, and we’ve tried to get to know them and understand them, so we can deliver what they’re asking for,” Nick Heiar, director of Intramural Sports said. “Intramural Sports has something for everyone, and we want that to be a theme 100 years from now as well. To that end, it means a lot to celebrate 100 years, because it means we get a chance to thank those who paved the way.”
Fitness & Wellness: “Learner & Learning”
The founding of Fitness & Wellness was based on family, community and connection. Built from scratch by former Director of Fitness & Wellness DeAun Woosley, the program began with 40 instructors and classes centered around dance fitness.
“When we opened the doors of this building in the fall of 1995, the classes were packed,” Woosley said. “There was hardly any exercise clubs in this town, only three.”
Woosley came to Texas A&M to be with her husband and son, not expecting that the program she led would grow into what it is today — more than 100 instructors and over 30 different classes.
Currently, under the leadership of Anna Taggart, the program has expanded leadership opportunities for its student staff. For Taggart, this means keeping students at the center of developing new class ideas and creating opportunities for them to learn and grow.
“Learner or learning — it’s something I’ve always instilled in our program, and I would like for it to carry on,” Taggart said. “I always say that to our staff that you should always continue to learn and grow and never get complacent. Even myself, I’m continuing to get new educational opportunities, new certifications and new learning opportunities.”
Strength & Conditioning: “Integrity”
Alongside the various renovations at the Rec, Strength & Conditioning had the opportunity to update its operations — from small changes like switching from paper to iPads to increasing the involvement of student staff in the weight room. Through these updates, the program has continued to evolve and grow. The 100-year anniversary also gave staff a chance to look further into the future with new visions and ideas.
“We want to collaborate more with Sport Clubs and be more of their Strength & Conditioning partners,” Director of Strength & Conditioning DJ Scott said. “Right now, they don’t get the same benefits that athletics do. But they perform at a very high level here and won championships. We want to be more supportive.”
Scott has many ideas for the future of Strength & Conditioning, but the core value guiding both the ideas and their execution is integrity.
“To me, I think if we want to say that we’re the best and we want to continue to try and strive to be the best, it is going to take integrity,” Scott said.
Aquatics: “Keeping Students First”
From hosting NCAA Championships to welcoming high school swim meets, Aquatics works behind the scenes to make sure every competitor has a safe and enjoyable experience. Supported by a team of lifeguards and instructors, the program emphasizes in-service training, certifications and classes to maintain that standard. At its core, the program’s goal is simple: reach the extra 2% of the student body and bring even more people into the water.
“If the pro staff in the Aquatics department keep the student body first, I think you don’t lose track of what we’re here for,” Director of Aquatics Carlos Garcia said. “The Aggie Core values, if you can keep that at the core of your program, I think you’re going to serve the student body one hundred percent.”
Outdoor Adventures: “Create a Sense of Place”
Patsy Kott established Outdoor Adventures in 1985 where it became a pioneer program for outdoor recreation. Now, under the leadership of Todd Grier, the program explores trip experiences, rental gear and opportunities to climb the new climbing tower.
“Rich experiences don’t just happen,” Grier said. “People have to set aside time to get outside and do something.”
While Outdoor Adventures explores the outdoors, its purpose is to create internal connections in an external environment.
“The sense of place is important,” Grier said. “When [climbers] come in, that’s their community. At the climbing tower, they meet their friends there, and they meet new people that are circling in the same environment.”
Youth Programs: “Growth”
Youth Programs is one of the newer additions to Rec Sports, reaching beyond the student population to the larger Texas A&M and Bryan/College Station community, particularly families. For many campers, their first experience with Rec Sports begins here, often long before they ever step onto campus as students.
“I think growth is the value that defines Youth Programs,” Director of Youth Programs Sarah Beth Heiar said. “We see it in campers who leave more confident than they arrived, in student staff who develop leadership skills that shape their careers and in a program that has steadily expanded. Youth Programs represents forward movement within Rec Sports, not just in numbers, but in impact.”
Sport Clubs: “Completely Student-Led”
Since its launch in 1974, Sport Clubs has built a legacy spanning more than 50 years within Texas A&M Rec Sports. Currently with 40 clubs on its roster, the program is entirely student-led, giving Aggies the opportunity to both play and lead. From local invitationals to national championships, Sport Clubs creates communities built around a shared love for sport, travel and the heat of competition.
“When students take ownership, they’re creating communities where people support one another, challenge each other and work toward something bigger than themselves,” said Keith Joseph, assistant director of Sport Clubs. “That shared purpose is really at the heart of the Aggie spirit, and it’s what I hope continues for the next 100 years.”
Together, these programs reflect how Rec Sports has grown over the past 100 years, expanding opportunities for students while keeping the Aggie experience at the center of everything it does. As the department celebrates its centennial, the goal remains the same: creating spaces where students can stay active, build community and continue the traditions that have shaped Rec Sports for generations.
