Old and New Hogs Gather in Austin, Texas

IMRS staff old and new gathered in Austin, Texas at the 59th annual National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) conference and exposition.  IMRS staff renewed acquaintances at the 5th Annual Arkansas Alumni and Friends social, held in conjunction with the annual NIRSA conference.  Each year since 2004, the IMRS staff has worked to bring together current and “alumni” IMRS staff as well as those alumni that live in the city in which our conference is being hosted.  This past year, we had approximately 85 people attend our social at Maggie Mays on 6th Street in Austin, Texas.  Guests were able to attend free of charge, eat, drink, and learn about where IMRS is now and future plans.  Craig Edmonston, IMRS Director also handed out our annual IMRS Outstanding Alumni Award.  This year’s recipient was Jared McCauley.  Jared served as a graduate assistant for IMRS from 1996-1998 working with Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs.  Jared currently serves as the Assistant Director for Texas Tech Recreational Sports Program, overseeing their Intramural and Sport Clubs program.

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Looking For a Part-time Job in Summer or Fall of 2008?

Intramural/Recreational Sports (IMRS) will conduct their once a semester Open Interview Job Fair for Summer and/or Fall 2008 employment from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in HPER 320. Open interviews give students interested in working for IMRS the opportunity to learn more about each position, apply in person and interview with the IMRS staff on a first come, first served basis. Available positions include facility assistants, service center attendants, group exercise instructors, lifeguards, intramural sports officials, concession stand operators, fitness center staff, and Outdoor Connection Center supervisors. Interested students should bring a drivers license, social security card, and be prepared to complete a W-4. For more information, contact Marcus Jackson at 575-4646.

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 Indoor Triathlon a Great Success!

On Saturday, April 12th, fifteen eager students showed up to give it their all in the IMRS Indoor Triathlon.  Participants swam 400 meters, biked 10 miles, and ran 3 miles within the HPER facility.  Prizes were awarded to the top three male and female participants.  Coming in 1st for the females was Julia Johannesen, 2nd was Anne Killion, and 3rd was Molly Carnahan.  Coming in 1st for the males was Mike Kaminski, 2nd was Matt Marks, and 3rd was Josh Fisher.  Impressive race times and enthusiasm were seen across the board.  One female triathlete commented, “The triathlon was excellent! It was organized so well and very fair.  I am really looking forward to next year’s.” Besides a great workout, participants also received a t-shirt and lunch for signing up.  IMRS Special Events would like to thanks all of the volunteers and participants for making this event a success!

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Important Things to Know Before Paddling

The streams and rivers of "The Natural State" attract paddling enthusiasts from all over the country. Whether you're in the mood for a relaxing float or challenging rapids, Arkansas has a variety of waterways for all skill levels.  Rivers, streams, and lakes can present unexpected challenges.  For a safe and enjoyable experience, it is important that you remember these basic rules and guidelines.

• Always wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and make sure it is worn properly.
• Be sure you have the proper equipment and know how to use it.
• Check the weather and water levers before getting on the water.
• Never paddle alone.
• Carry a whistle and know how to use it.
• Cell phones may not work in the remote sections so always leave a float plan with a friend or family member.
*For more information on water levels and safety check out the Arkansas Canoe Club 
  @ http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/ and the American Canoe Association @
   http://www.americancanoe.org/

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Large Number of Lockers and Memberships to Expire in May

With over 1,000 lockers expiring in May, check your expiration date and renew your membership and locker today to enjoy uninterrupted service. Lockers not renewed prior to the expiration date will be pulled, bagged, and stored for a period of two weeks.  Members are subject to a $2.00 storage fee to recover belongings left behind.  

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Upcoming Special Events

CASINO NIGHT: Monday, April 21st, 7:00pm-10:00pm in HPER Gym #1. Blackjack, Roulette, Slots, Texas Hold’Em…come play your favorite Vegas games. FREE food and prizes!

FINALS FIESTA: Thursday, May 1st, 11:00am-2:00pm on Old Main Lawn.  Stop by to tye-dye your own t-shirt, enjoy some Mexican food, and take a few swings at the piñatas!

For future IMRS – Specials Events and more even details check our website:  http://imrs.uark.edu/.

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What's the Deal?

Question:  The HPER has an indoor pool, why do you have to close it during a thunderstorm?

Answer:  IMRS has conducted some brief research as to why it is important to clear the pool during a thunderstorm.  An article published by the National Lightning Safety Institute states that lightning originates from the back edge of a thundercloud rather than from the front side, making recreation activity resumption decisions difficult.  According to insurance information, the ratio of damage due to indirect effects vs. direct effects is a ratio of some 2000:1. This means that if lightning strikes the ground near to an indoor pool, depending upon localized circumstances, it may be conducted into the building via low resistance conductors. These can be: (1) buried or pole-mounted telephone and electric wires (2) buried metal water lines or gas lines (3) metal light masts in parking lots with AC power fed from the building (4) fences that are contiguous to the building (5) Cable TV lines, both aerial and buried (6) root systems of nearby trees (7) wet ground and wet paved parking lots (from rain) adjacent to buildings.

Observable lightning effects inside pool buildings have included: main circulation pump destroyed; injuries to employees touching electrical panels; concrete footing of slide blown apart; and visible lightning inside natatorium.  Six states have recommendations or regulations for suspending indoor pool activities when under lightning threat: Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Michigan.

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Staff Highlight
IMRS Graduate Assistants
Intramural Sports/Sport Clubs/Fitness/Wellness/Special Events/Outdoor Connection Center.

IMRS is pleased to highlight each of their seven (7) graduate assistants that hey employ.  Each GA fills a very important role within IMRS contributing to each of the eight (8) program areas that IMRS provides the University community.

Mario, a native of Texarkana, Texas and graduate of Liberty-Eylau High School, received a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in 2006.  While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he worked for Intramural/Recreational Sports as both an intramural sports official and supervisor.  After a short stint with Deloitte Tax LLP as a tax accountant, he returned to school to pursue a M.Ed in Recreation and will graduate in May of 2008.  Mario serves as a graduate assistant with the Intramural Sports Progam.

Armando was born and raised in Dallas, TX and is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.  He received a B.B.A. from the Red -2005 Armando further ventured into Intramurals by becoming an Intramural Supervisor and later a Program Assistant.  In July 2005 Armando began his current position as a Graduate Assistant of Intramural Sports at the University of Arkansas.  Armando is currently working on his M.Ed in Recreation with an emphasis on Sport Management and is anticipating a graduation date of May 2008.

Born and raised in River Falls, Wisconsin, Tiffany graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in December 2006 with a degree in Recreation Management and Business Administration.  Tiffany completed her undergraduate internship with University Recreation and Sports Facilities at the University of Wisconsin –Eau Claire.  There she gained knowledge in all areas of university recreation, including supervising intramurals and coordinating the campus’s first disc golf tournament.  Tiffany is currently in the Master’s program for Sports Management, Tiffany will graduate in May of 2009.  She enjoys being outdoors, running, road biking, and watching sports…especially hockey!

A native of Concordia, Kansas, Travis received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Health and Human Performances at Fort Hays State University (2004, 2006).  While at FHSU Travis participated in Track and Field and coordinated 12 Personal Wellness classes for the department.  Travis starts his second year with the Intramural/Recreational Sports program with a Graduate Assistantship under Fitness/Wellness.  Travis is in charge of making sure the Donna Axum Fitness Center runs smoothly as well as heading the Personal Training program.   Travis is currently working on a Ph.D in Kinesiology with a focus in Pedagogy.

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Kelly graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotion. While at Oklahoma State she worked for the Department of Campus Recreation as both an intramural sports official and supervisor. In the spring of 2006, Kelly completed a 520 hour internship with the Oklahoma City All Sports Association. The All Sports Association hosts sporting events such as the Big XII Conference basketball, baseball and softball tournaments as well as the NCAA Women’s College World Series and the 2006 NCAA National Wrestling Championship. Kelly is currently working on a Master of Education in Recreation Management and will graduate in May of 2008.

Ashlee is native born "Okie" from Ponca City, OK. She graduated in May, 2007 with a bachelors in Kinesiology with a fitness specialist concentration. During her undergraduate work, Ashlee worked for the IMRS department here at the UofA as an aerobics instructor and personal trainer. Ashlee is now the graduate assistant for fitness programs in the IMRS department. Her duties include scheduling group exercise and mind/body classes and providing various fitness/wellness programs for the fitness center/ group exercise participants. She is currently working on her masters in Exercise Science and plans on graduating in May, 2009.

Texarkana, Texas, Mike grew up loving the outdoors.  Mike received a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from Texas Tech University in May 2004.  After spending his undergraduate years working for the campus recreation outdoor program, Mike found a passion in life.  After two years of working in the commercial outdoor industry, he began work at the University of Arkansas as a Graduate Assistant for the Outdoor Connection Center.  Mike is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Recreation Management.

Intramural/Recreational Sports, 225 HPER | University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 | 479.575.4646
imrs@uark.edu