For many students, April and May is a time of endings as well as a time for new beginnings. Seniors are graduating into the next phase of their lives. Underclassmen are looking forward to the summer or fall when they are promoted to the next grade level. For me, this time of year is bitter/sweat. It is the time of year that many of our student employees work their last hours for us before moving on to their next life adventure. It is always sad to see them go.
It is also a time of joy as they leave. I am confident that the experiences that we provide our student employees have prepared them for whatever lies ahead. Along with the more than 300 student employees, I know that the Intramural/ Recreational Sports Program has provided leadership training and educational experiences that are as important as any class. I know that the IMRS staff has always acted in the best interest of their student employees. I know that we have made an important impact in their lives that will be remembered for a life time. I also know that each and every student employee has made a difference in the success of the program and in the lives of each full-time staff member.
I want to thank every student that worked for IMRS this year. Without each of you, we could not have been successful in any aspect of the program. More than anyone, you made a difference in the lives of the thousands of people that participated in our programs.
I also want to thank our team of graduate assistants: Armando Espinoza, Travis Esslinger, Tiffany Gaulke, Ashlee Hamilton, Michael Hoover, Mario Riles, and Kelly Russell. They did a wonderful job this year planning and providing hundreds of activities and thousands of hours of activities. They certainly are the backbone of our staff.
Since 1978, I have had the fortune of working with more than 130 graduate assistants. Many of whom have chosen to stay in the campus recreation profession. I am indebted to each of them. Professionally, I am what I am, in large part, because of them. At this year’s National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Conference, I had the privilege of awarding Jared McCauley the Outstanding Intramural/Recreational Sports Program Alumni Award. This award is presented each year to an alumnus of our university and staff that has distinguished him or herself in the campus recreation profession. Jared was a graduate assistant with us from 1996 to 1998. He is currently in his 10th year with Texas Tech University where he serves as the Assistant Director of Intramurals and Sport Clubs.
Congratulations to all of our graduates. We are happy to have been part of your lives. To all of the returning students, I will see you in the gym.
