Cady Stribling
Features Editor
In college, there are so many things to learn about besides your major. You learn about living on your own and how to balance a packed schedule all while taking care of yourself.
It can be difficult to pull away from the never-ending assignments, but it is so important to make time for mental and physical self-care.
Murray State offers plenty of opportunities to be active in fun, unique ways. The Susan E. Bauernfeind Wellness Center, located on the residential side of campus, is one of the most accessible and versatile ways to stay active.
“One thing we hope for Murray State students to learn are healthy habits, such as exercising, having a balanced diet, socializing, being organized, time management and getting enough sleep,” said Travis Rawe, director of campus recreation and wellness.
One way to do this, Rawe said, is to utilize the center and fit visits into weekly schedules to create healthy habits.
The Wellness Center offers the usual gym equipment on the first and second floors, as well as two basketball courts, two racquetball rooms and a swimming pool. It also offers personal training and private group fitness classes for student groups.
Various group fitness classes are also provided for students in the center. Rawe said the wide variety includes yoga, spin, water aerobics, zumba, H.I.I.T and STRONG.
“The Wellness Center is a very popular place to visit and unwind from a typical day of a college student,” Rawe said.
In the 2018-19 academic year, Rawe said students visited the Wellness Center about 96,000 times.
Besides all the activities in the Wellness Center, clubs and teams offer sports of all kinds. No matter athletic ability, any student can sign up for fencing, tennis, archery and disc golf clubs, just to name a few.
Murray State provides a rowing and equestrian team, which require a larger time commitment but are just as enjoyable. And if anyone is looking for a simple run outdoors, there are multiple marked trails on campus and a path through the arboretum.
Intramurals, a Racer favorite, give current students, faculty and staff a great way to engage in sports in the fall and spring semesters. Rawe, who is head of intramurals, said participation is free.
In the fall, students can play softball and flag football. One-day tournaments consist of golf, basketball, bowling, ping pong and a 5k Homecoming run.
Spring sports leagues include basketball, volleyball, innertube water polo and soccer. The one-day tournaments consist of racquetball, tennis, March Madness pick ‘em and IM combine.
“There are a variety of ways to get involved in intramural sports,” Rawe said. “You can play with your residential college, and each residential college will usually create two to three teams per sport.”
Greek and other student organizations are another way to get involved, Rawe said, making up almost half of the teams. You can also register alone and join a team that already exists, which is possible at www.imleagues.com.
Many intramurals can be a huge time commitment and Rawe preaches on the importance of balancing school and sports.
“No student is attending college solely to be crowned an intramural champion,” Rawe said. “They are here to be educated and get a degree. Our programs are here to provide healthy and fun activities for you while you are working hard for that degree.”
Rawe said for the upcoming semester they are preparing for the safest ways to provide students access to the Wellness Center and intramural sports in the wake of COVID-19.
“We will communicate everything you need to know about our facility and programs, including new policies or changes, before you arrive on campus.”
