What most University students know as the Rec Center will soonsport a new name: University Recreation.
“We were known by several different names by a variety ofpeople,” said Melissa Longino, assistant director of Marketing andPublic Relations.
Longino said the Department of Recreational Sports did not wantstudents to view them as a rec center while so many other programsthey sponsor lie outside that realm.
Longino said the department hopes to edge away from itsreputation as a sports facility.
“Sports is such a competitive word,” Longino said. “We are notstrictly competitive. We have intramural sports, but we also havegroup exercise classes and personal training.”
Longino said the department wanted an “all-encompassing”name.
University Recreation Director Tamara Jarrett said, “We wouldlike to continue the pursuit of our mission with broadened emphasison healthy and positive recreation and leisure lifestyles.”
Jarrett said the name must evolve with the department.
“We have evolved as a department and want our name to reflectthis growth,” Jarrett said.
University Recreation will celebrate its new name with Rec Fest,a four-day event beginning Nov. 1.
“It will be a week filled with fun, fitness and music while wecelebrate and highlight the programs and facilities we provide theLSU students and campus community,” Longino said.
The biggest celebration will take place the night of Nov. 4 andwill include refreshments, music and a raffle. All activities atRec Fest will be free.
Longino said the purpose of the event will be to highlightoffered programs and services at the center and raise awareness ofthe name change.
In addition to Rec Fest, University Recreation has several moreevents on the horizon.
University Recreation will host “Ghost Chase,” a 3K run inHalloween costume, on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
The annual Tiger Triathlon, a 5K walk/run, will take place Nov.7 beginning at 8:30 a.m.