As the winter semester starts to set in many students will stay active by participating in extracurricular at the Physical Education and Instructional Facility (PEIF.)
According to Tricia Bush, recreation sports programming manager, the PEIF makes balancing working out and daily lives easier on students, by having a range of extended hours, different types of workout classes’ people can take free of charge with their PEIF pass and intramural sports students can participate in.
Bush said there are many opportunities students can become involved in at the PEIF.
“There is a climbing wall and discount rentals on outdoor equipment.” Bush said. “The discounts include snowshoe and cross country ski rentals.”
According to Bush, the Dome provides a location for students to run on the track or treadmills, swim in the swimming pool if feeling deprived of lake water and many intramural sports such as basketball, volleyball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, broomball, etc.
Matt Walker, sophomore secondary education math major has participated in volleyball, flag football and ultimate Frisbee, with his hall for the past two years.
“Last year, being a freshman, it was a good way to get myself to step outside my comfort zone and meet new people,” Walker said. “This year it was a good way for incoming freshmen to step outside theirs.”
According to Walker, intramurals is a great way to have team building experience.
“Getting to know the people on the team and the strengths they have helped us all work together as one.” Walker said. “Especially playing volleyball we each knew how one another played and we built off of the skills we had.”
Walker said broomball registration ended Wednesday, Jan. 22, and basketball and volleyball ended Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Some intramural sports during the winter that can get students involved in whose deadlines are still open are pickleball with a deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 5, a battleship tournament with a deadline of Wednesday Feb. 12, and indoor soccer with a deadline of Wednesday, March 12.
The PEIF also offers classes for students unable to participate in intramurals, such as yoga, Zumba, belly dancing and many others unique activities.
Ashley McGrath, a Zumba instructor at the PEIF, said being an instructor has affected her and her students in the class.
“Being an instructor has benefited me in the sense that I can share something I am passionate about,” McGrath said. “The benefit for the student is that they know at the end of each session that yes, it is nice to feel fit, but confidence is the most beautiful thing you can put on in the morning.”
McGrath also touched on some of the secrets that students may not know about the PEIF.
“We have 27 drop-in classes available with some new and exciting ones such as ‘Rediscovering the Rope’ where you actually do fitness with the rope and more classes for men like Men’s Resistance,” McGrath said.
Ellie Baar, an undeclared freshman, joined belly dancing to spark her interest of the culture and art.
“I was interested in understanding the art of belly dancing,” Baar said. “The class has given me a lot of confidence, and the instructor makes it a very comfortable environment to be in.
“The class has also helped me make friends that are involved in the same things as me.”
For more information on joining intramural sports or signing up for a PEIF pass, students can call the Recreation Information Office at (906)227-2519, or email [email protected].
For fitness class information you can contact [email protected].
