By Jama Abdirahman
The UW Bothell sports field is full of energy on a Tuesday evening. An intense soccer game is taking place, and Zackariya Lan and his teammates are up by 1 point with two minutes left. His team wins! Next week they’ll be back for another game.
For many students like Lan, participating in intramural activities is about more than exercise. It enhances his Husky experience.
These activities provide avenues to connect with other students and the campus community. In fact, studies show campus recreational activities can have a positive effect on student retention and satisfaction.
鈥淏eing a part of the intramural sports gave me exposure to different types of people from different walks of life, and I learned a lot about others and myself,鈥 said Lan, media and communications studies (17′).
Soccer is one of the wide range of recreational activities available.
Each quarter, UW Bothell Recreation and Wellness offers tournaments and leagues in sports including volleyball, flag football, basketball, softball and ultimate Frisbee.
The various sport and leisure activities are open to students regardless of skill level and ability. Faculty and staff can also join.
鈥淲e provide a way for students to relieve stress and get a chance to enjoy a sport,鈥 said, Matthew Cooley, program manager of intramurals and facilities. 鈥淔or winter quarter, we had more than 250 participants on our campus.”
Located at the Activities and Recreation Center, recreation and wellness also offers fitness programs, health promotion and outdoor opportunities.
鈥淲e have events where students can come in and walk up on campus and build their own terrarium with the outdoor leaders, or learn about nutritional snacks with HEROS,鈥 (Health Educators Reaching Out 鈥 peer educators), said Melissa Banks, outdoor wellness program manager.
鈥淭hese really small interactions can brighten somebody鈥檚 day or give them ways to meet new people and learn new things,鈥 said Banks.
UW Bothell Outdoor Wellness provides outdoor experiences for students, faculty and staff such as camping, hiking and skiing.
Recreation and Wellness challenges students to break away from the day-to-day, whether it’s playing sports with new friends, sharing outdoor trips, tackling a route on the climbing wall or renting gear for their own adventures.
