Campus Recreation Blog
Try Something New
Fitness and SportsOctober 28, 2022
Written by Kailey Bandara, Intramural Sports Coordinator
As an extremely competitive person involved in sports my whole life, I can say firsthand that I, personally, do not like doing activities I am not good at. I believe you play to win, and I always stuck to what I was good at and never branched out. But how do you get good at something you have never done? By trying something new. According to sports research, constantly introducing new and different strategies for physical activity and life skills can allow individuals to have more ‘tools’ in their toolbox to handle general life stressors. When it comes to Intramurals, trying a new sport that you have never done before could be just the thing you need this year!
Areas of Increased Interest
Two of the sports that we offer have seen a huge increase in numbers and overall interest because students have decided to get their hall on a team and try them out. The first sport is broomball. Have you ever even heard of what broomball is? It is essentially ice hockey but with a ball instead of a puck and you wear regular closed-toed shoes instead of skates! Trying not to slip while getting … Read More
Caring for Equestrian Tack and Equipment
Campus Rec FacilitiesOctober 14, 2022
Written by Suzanne Flaig, Director of the Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center
In the equestrian world, “tack” is the term we give to the equipment we use on the horse for handling and riding. We most commonly think of saddles and bridles as our primary tack, but other accessories also fall into this category, like bits, girths, halters, etc. This equipment is important for the safety and enjoyment of both horse and rider, so proper care will ensure your equipment serves its duty and lasts for a while. Tack can be expensive to replace so knowing its purpose and how to care for it, will save you money down the road!
Materials Used for Tack
For saddles and bridles, leather is a popular choice. While there are sometimes synthetic materials used, leather is traditional and most common. The quality of the material used is important because tack should be well fitted to the horse and strong enough to hold the equipment in place. You would not want to be riding a 1,000-pound animal and have your equipment break mid-ride!
Why is Leather Commonly Used?
First, leather (when properly maintained) is a supple product. It has some give to it which is generally more comfortable for the horse carrying the … Read More
Life, School, Friends, Gym… How to Fit it All In
Fitness and SportsSeptember 30, 2022
Written by Sarah Yoder, Graphic Designer
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, mustering up motivation and finding time in your schedule to keep up physical fitness can be quite challenging. Now try adding collegiate academics into that mix. It often seems extremely difficult, almost impossible, to keep up with everything that needs to be done, let alone get a workout and consistent exercise in. For those who are just beginning their college experience (or even students who have been in school previously) and want to learn how to balance their health and fitness while in college, below are several valuable and informative tips!
Structure a schedule, prioritize, and take it one day at a time.
While this may sound like some cheesy advice you’ve heard from your mom or teacher already, creating a prioritized schedule and focusing on what needs to get done each day truly is a game-changer. This is especially true when it comes to trying to find extra time outside of classes and homework for additional activities such as exercising, hanging out with friends, and taking care of yourself.
The amount of time you have during each day, week, and month is a known quantity. This is an extremely helpful factor when creating a schedule. It … Read More
How to Train for a Triathlon
Fitness and SportsSeptember 16, 2022
Written by Nikki Kilian, Fitness Coordinator
You may have heard that LaHaye Campus Recreation is hosting a Triathlon Sprint this fall, and you may be interested in participating. This race will be a mostly indoor triathlon Sprint, meaning it is shorter than a traditional triathlon. In a triathlon sprint, the total distance run is 16 miles and it is broken up into the following categories:
Swim: 750 meters (approximately 0.50 miles)
Bike: 20 kilometers (12.40 miles)
Run: 5 kilometers (3.10 miles)
Define your Why
A strong reason behind your training will help you follow through. Training for any race is hard work physically and mentally. Not to mention, it is often a large time commitment. Define why you are training, and remind yourself of it when things get challenging.
Make a Plan
Creating a training plan and sticking to it will also help you with consistency. When creating a training plan, it is beneficial to be realistic. If your schedule does not allow you to train every day, then prioritize 2-3 days a week for training. Another way to be realistic is by not doing too much too fast. If you have never run before, start with a goal of 0.5-1 miles and add 0.5-1 miles every week until … Read More
Something Worth Investing In
Campus Rec FacilitiesSeptember 2, 2022
Written by Hudson Rice, Lodge Operations Staff
For the last three years, I have worked at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre as a rental technician, and it has been among the most enriching and beneficial experiences of my life.
Professional Impact
At the most fundamental level, being a rental technician has allowed me to work with the instruments of a sport and culture I truly love. Skiing and snowboarding have been among the most important and beneficial parts of my life over the last few years, and the opportunity to familiarize myself with the literal nuts and bolts of the industry is something I am grateful for. I love teaching customers about the gear and how to use it, talking to more experienced customers about the sport, and seeing customers use my advice to improve as a rider.
The opportunity to develop a level of functional expertise with ski and snowboard equipment is especially valuable because it has applications beyond Snowflex. When riding at other mountains, I can diagnose and solve problems with my gear, which has proven quite valuable. I can talk with other riders and rental technicians with confidence, which leads to more enriching conversations and relationships.
Relational Impact
Snowflex has provided an opportunity to develop … Read More
A Beginner’s Guide to Intramural Sports
Campus Rec FacilitiesAugust 19, 2022
Written by Sammy Flecker, previous Intramural Sports Coordinator
Get your sneakers, cleats, and bats ready because Liberty Intramurals Sports is back! As we welcome you into the new school year, we also want to welcome newcomers. The Intramurals department offers a wide selection of sports that any Liberty student, faculty, or staff member can participate in — including team and individual sports as well as tournaments. To register for an Intramural Sport, you’ll use IMLeagues. Let’s give you a quick run-down of the site!
IMLeagues 101
While our Liberty.edu site houses general information about Intramural Sports, IMLeagues.com is where you will go to have full access to all our sports. You will be able to register as a captain, join a team, become a free agent to potentially be picked up, and schedule your own games if you are registered for an individual sport.
In order to access it, you will first have to create an account and select Liberty University as your “school/organization”. Please make sure that the information inputted is correct, including the proper spelling of your name and email. Your Liberty email is going to be a direct point of contact for updates on registration, game cancellations (weather), forfeits, etc.
Paying and Registering … Read More
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Campus Rec FacilitiesAugust 5, 2022
Written by Julie Rogers, Rock Wall Manager
Like most incoming freshmen, finding community was on the top of my priority list when I first came to Liberty. We all want to find a group of people to belong to, a group of people to share life with and build long lasting memories with. While my freshman year hall did provide me with a great group of people, I learned quickly that college is a unique place to grow and meet many diverse groups and types of people. A last-minute evening decision to head to LaHaye and check out the rock wall with some girls from my hall quickly turned into a major part of my college experience. The climbing community was something I didn’t know I needed or even wanted, but quickly became one of the biggest blessings to me during my time at Liberty.
My Experience
The very first thing that I took notice of during my first visit to the LaHaye Rock Wall was the atmosphere of the people. From the welcoming staff to the other climbers, people just seemed to be genuinely having a great time in each other’s company. I tried out bouldering for the first time and immediately developed … Read More
How God Brought Me to Hydaway
Campus Rec FacilitiesJuly 22, 2022
Written by Sidney Williamson, Hydaway Outfitter Manager
Four and a half years ago, I was faced with the decision about where I was going to go to school. I visited Liberty during a CFAW weekend, prayed about my decision of which school to choose, and just so happened to stumble upon the Hydaway website around that time. I was immediately sold on going to LU after seeing pictures of the facility and looking at the various activities they offered for students. The main regret I have is not trying to work at Hydaway sooner. I spent my first year at Liberty working in a work-study job at one of the call centers. While I loved the people, the office life just wasn’t for me. I remember applying for a work-study position for Hydaway while in between phone calls at the call center.
Applying to Work at Hydaway
Three years ago, in May 2019, I sent in my application to work at Hydaway. However, my hopes were soon shot down when I received an email saying that all positions had been filled for the upcoming school year. I remember feeling so discouraged, yet hopeful at the same time. I knew God had a plan and … Read More
Bowl with Decorum, Please
Bowling AlleyJuly 8, 2022
Written by Abigail Gonzalez, Montview Recreation Manager
So, you fancy yourself a bowler, eh? Before you can truly qualify as such, you must first be made of aware of the do’s and don’ts of every bowling alley facility. Etiquette is both highly valued and immensely appreciated by the upper crust bowling audience and participants, and it is plain shameful to not be well-versed in such societal standards. If you are attempting to climb the ladder of the bowling elite and make a name for yourself among the first-class crowd but possess no real, tangible knowledge of bowling alley decorum, then look no further; this blog is for you.
The Do’s
Becoming a respected member of any bowling alley goes beyond just skill and work ethic. In fact, how well you bowl and how many hours you put into your craft matter not even a smidgen if one does not have proper bowling etiquette. Impressing your peers on the lane can only go so far when you have no respect for their games (or at least, it seems as though you do not because you do not have a well-rounded understanding of how to behave when bowling).
First “do” of the day: give the bowlers … Read More
Safety at the Equestrian Center
Campus Rec FacilitiesJune 24, 2022
Written by Kelly Shaw, Farm Management Coordinator
Whether you are visiting, riding, or working with the horses, safety at the Equestrian Center is very important. By following the safety guidelines listed below, you help ensure a great experience for yourself, as well as for our horses. Read on to learn the importance of wearing proper attire, knowing how to read a horse’s body language, and being aware of your own behavior around our equipment and animals.
Wardrobe Etiquette
When visiting the Equestrian Center, you should wear some form of closed-toed shoes. Wearing a pair of boots or closed-toed shoes will also help protect your foot in the event you were to get stepped on. If you are riding during your visit, you need to wear a pair of close-toed boots that will keep your foot from sliding around or out of the stirrups. Riders also must wear riding pants or unripped jeans and a fitted shirt.
Safety in the Barn
Safety in the barn is important for both us and our horses. Never enter a stall without the explicit permission and supervision of the Equestrian Center staff. Make sure you stay alert, watch your surroundings, and be aware of the horses you are working with. … Read More