Recreational Sports
The Department of Recreational Sports is the place for fun and fitness. Whether you enjoy informal activities on your own or prefer to participate in structured programs, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for in our Club Sports Program, Challenge Program, Drop-In Program, Intramural Sports Program and/or Outdoor Adventures. Recreational Sports is also a great place to work. Each semester, the Department hires approximately 250-300 students to fill numerous positions within their programs and services. Student employees are needed as lifeguards, office clerks, entrance monitors, sports supervisors, and officials. For information on student employment, please call 936-0617.
The Drop-In Activities
The Drop-In Program features a variety of self-directed recreational opportunities. Facilities are made available for usage on a drop-in basis. Participation in activities requires neither team affiliation nor the commitments resulting from structured play. With increased emphases on total wellness, fitness, and the pursuit of lifetime leisure activities, informal sports programming appeals to the busy lifestyle of students, faculty, and staff. Activities include badminton, basketball, handball, wallyball, racquetball, squash, volleyball, general exercise, martial arts, table tennis, weight training, and swimming. A new personal services program has been developed to help people achieve their personal fitness goals in small groups or with individual instructions. Call 763-3084 for more information.
The Intramural Sports Program
The Intramural Sports Program(763-3562) provides a broad spectrum of activity for personal enjoyment, fitness, and competition. Through various team, individual, and dual activities, the program offers every individual and/or group in the campus community an opportunity to participate.
The Club Sports Program
The Club Sports Program (763-3562) includes more than 45 club sports ranging from archery to water polo. Participation may be structured or casual, it may incorporate competition, instruction, and social fellowship, or any combination. Each club is developed, governed, and administered by the student membership of that particular club. The key to the success of this program is student leadership, interest, involvement, and participation.
The Outdoor Adventures Program
The Outdoor Adventures Program (764-3967) is for you if you’re interested in activities like kayaking, rock climbing, or snow shoeing. More than 30 trips are offered each year. Opportunities to backpack in the Smokies, dog sled in the northwoods of Canada, or mountain bike a local trail are made available to the U-M community. Camping gear, canoes, skis, climbing shoes, portable volleyball systems, and more can be rented through the Outdoor Adventures Rental Center.
The Challenge Program
The Challenge Program (936-0603) is an experiential teambuilding program providing organizations with exciting Teambuilding and High Ropes Course experiences. Our specially trained facilitators utilize state-of-the-art adventure learning techniques to deliver powerful and effective experiences to groups of all kinds. At the Challenge Program, teamwork, cooperation, communication, and trust become much more than just words, they become actions.
Note
Because participation in recreational sports programs is voluntary, you assume responsibility for your own safety and health. If you are planning to participate in vigorous activities, you should, for your own protection, have a physical examination to determine if you are able to participate. Medical insurance, which would cover expenses incurred by an injury, is strongly recommended.
Individual Sports
Canoeing
The Argo Park Canoe Livery, 1055 Long Shore Dr. (794-6241), offers canoe rentals on the Huron River. Gallup Park Canoe and Bicycle Rental, 3000 Fuller Rd., offers canoe, paddleboat, and bicycle rental at Gallup Park. Call 794-6240 for information on rates and schedules.
Cross-Country Skiing
Radrick Farms, on Geddes Rd. east of US-23, has ungroomed trails for beginners and intermediates, and is open only to Radrick Farms members and University students. Several local parks also offer cross-country skiing on ungroomed trails. Contact the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Department (971-6337) for further information.
Golfing
The University of Michigan Golf Course, on Stadium Blvd. across from Crisler Arena, is open to students, staff, faculty, alumni, and their guests. The city has two public courses: Leslie Golf Course, 2120 Traver Rd. (794-6245), and Huron Hills at the intersection of Huron Pkwy. and E. Huron River Dr. (971-6840).
Ice Skating
U-M’s Yost Ice Arena (764-4600), located on State St. near Hoover, is open to the public and offers skating and hockey classes, as well as public skating sessions. Ann Arbor’s Veterans Park, 2150 Jackson Rd. (794-6235), offers indoor skating, skate rentals, instructional classes, as well as a small fitness room. The Buhr Park Recreational Facility, 2751 Packard Rd. (794-6234), provides outdoor artificial ice rinks November through mid-March. The Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 2121 Oak Valley Dr. (213-1600), has three ice surfaces and offers public skating all year. Public skating times vary for each rink. Call for more information.
Jogging
The U-M maintains an outdoor track at Palmer Field, located by the Hill area residence halls. Indoor tracks are available at both the CCRB and the NCRB. Many of the Ann Arbor City parks also have jogging trails.
Swimming
U-M indoor pools are available at the CCRB, NCRB, and IMSB. The city has three outdoor pools, open to residents and visitors by admission: Buhr Park, 2751 Packard (794-6234); Fuller Park, 1519 Fuller (794-6236); and Veterans Park, 2150 Jackson Rd. (794-6235). Year-round public swimming times are also maintained at Mack indoor pool, 715 Brooks. Call 794-6237 for more information.
Tennis
The University provides indoor courts at the NCRB, IMSB, and the Varsity Tennis Building. Outdoor courts are available near the CCRB at Palmer Field. Public tennis courts are available at a number of city parks, including Burns Park, 1414 Wells; Buhr Park, 2751 Packard; Fuller Park, 1519 Fuller; Veterans Park, 2150 Jackson Rd.; and West Park, 215 Chapin.