With the pull of a door, the gym is full of opportunities that await non-stressed and stressed students who are looking to have some fun in their hectic lives.
“Intramurals have been taking place over the last eight years but not through a formal intramural office. In Spring 2001, the Office of Recreational Activities and Sports was developed,” said Leandro Esparza, coordinator of the program.
The
intramural sports that are offered here at Palo Alto are women’s
and men’s basketball, co-ed volleyball and soccer. One new sport
that is being offered is co-ed softball. Intramurals allow students
to have fun and to take a break from their studies.
“It’s not about competition.
It’s about having fun and enjoying yourself,” said Esparza.
After attending a basketball game, many students laugh after plays showing that
they are having fun.
Many students have time-consuming part-time or full-time jobs. Having no time
to do anything fun is a major pain. The Office of Recreational Sports and Activities
realizes that they can make time for students to enjoy their life instead of
focusing only on school and work.
Palo Alto also offers a free Open Gym for students who need to release some stress and have some fun.
The Gym is available on Monday and Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit Room 101c in the gym to check out equipment.
Students may also go swimming with their friends or swim a couple of laps by themselves to ease some stress. The Natatorium is available Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Friday, it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students who have questions regarding the pool hours, visit Room 110 in the Natatorium.
Another free service that the Gym offers is the weight room. Students may go to the weight room to define their muscles and get their bodies ready for Spring Break.
“I do what I like. I play basketball or lift weights in the weight room to allow me to think of other things other than school,“ said Chris Ponce, an undeclared sophomore.
The weight room is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Also, it is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
All of these options are available free of charge to students. No one has to make the excuse of not having a gym membership to get in shape. Students may think that intramural sports are not their thing. Many students don’t like physical activity. Mind-challenging games or hiking trips might interest them more. The Office of Recreational Activities and Sports also offers a hiking, chess, checkers, backgammon, table tennis league and horseshoes.
One new activity that the Office of Recreational Activities and Sports offers is hiking trips, which were suggested by students. On February 21, students and staff visited the Hill Country State Natural Area, located 10 miles southwest of Bandera. A day of hiking up long trails, gazing at the surrounding area on high steeps and keeping up with the leader of the pack was full of adventure. One more fun-packed hiking trip is planned for students and staff who want to visit Bastrop State Park on April 17. The deadline to register for this hiking adventure is on April 8.
“It’s a good thing that students should know about if they are looking to have some fun for free,” said Vanessa Sanchez, an undeclared freshman, who attends Open Gym.
One thing that you must not forget is your student ID. Without your current Palo Alto ID, you won’t be able to use all of these great resources. If you don’t have a current Palo Alto ID, you can visit Room 103 in the Palomino Center. Students and staff can take their IDs on Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Don’t forget to take a copy of your paid tuition bill with you.
For more information on intramural sports or activities, you may visit the Recreational Activities and Sports Office in the Gymnasium/Natatorium, Room 101c, or you may call 921-5509.