Recreational sports in the media

Note: NIRSA Executive Director Kent Blumenthal sent the following reply to the editor regarding the above story:

“In his January 30 article, “PSU specs rec center as bargain basement,” Randy Gragg was quite right to note that “today, a university’s most important building is its student recreation center.” With the increasing competition among colleges to attract students, recreational facilities play an important role in recruitment and retention efforts.

A rise in the breadth and quality of campus recreational facilities reflects much more than a desire by administrators to keep up with the academic Joneses, however. Recreation is often the glue that holds a campus together - it is one of the few pursuits that is inclusive culturally, socio-economically, and by gender and ability. A 2002 study commissioned by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) found that participation in recreational sports programs and activities is a key determinant of college satisfaction and success. Recreational sports programs also build self-confidence and character, promote diversity, teach team-building, and improve leadership skills.

We would love for every institution of higher education to have big, beautiful, and highly sustainable recreation facilities that underscore the importance of activities they house, and we have no doubt that PSU’s new student recreation center will meet these expectations. After all, it’s still going to be a $43 million building, and keep in mind that Portland State University is a public institution that strives to keep education affordable and to operate within their means. It is exciting that PSU will have a new hub of activity to promote health and wellness on campus, and we congratulate their efforts. Perhaps General George S. Patton’s notion that “a good plan executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week” should be applied to PSU and its new student recreation center. Let’s support constructing the facility now, and at a price PSU can afford.”