If you played a competitive sport in high school, then you know just how time-consuming it was to be an athlete. Before I came to the University of Rhode Island, my life almost completely revolved around athletics. I played volleyball for my high school and we practiced 6 days a week including games every Tuesday and Thursday. As we moved into the county tournament, club tryouts began. We had a week off coinciding with winter break, and then we were back on the grind straight through June. After that, beach season started. I spent all my “free time” outside of school at practice, in a game, in the gym, or bonding with my teams. And then somehow I had to fit in homework.
One of the biggest shocks we face when we accept that we won’t be continuing our athletic careers as we enter college is free time. Like, way too much free time. At URI, we’re in class for about 15-20 hours per week. That’s nothing compared to the 35 hours per week we were used to in high school. Add on the few hours of practice and travel time for sports? Forget it.
Halfway through the first month my freshman year, I was already having an identity crisis. If I couldn’t be an athlete anymore, then who could I be?
Luckily, it wasn’t completely over. There are a number of affordable ways for URI students to get involved on campus and fill that athlete void.
1. The Ryan Center
Even if you aren’t a huge basketball fan, you’ll become one once you start freshman year at URI. The basketball team has been on the rise lately. After winning the Atlantic 10 Conference, URI students have been glowing with Rhody Pride. You will too once you step foot into the big, beautiful gym. Try to catch a t-shirt at halftime and get absolutely WOWed by the Dance Team.
2. Meade Stadium
Right outside the Ryan Center is the Meade Stadium, home to the football team, marching band, and cheerleaders. During the football games, local restaurants set up food trucks and stands to satisfy our hungry Rhody needs. Don’t get too distracted though, because every time the team scores, a cannon goes off right next to the Del’s Lemonade cart!
3. The Anna Fascitelli Fitness & Wellness Center
“Fascitelli” as it’s lovingly nicknamed, is jam packed with a variety of exercise areas to meet all your athletic needs. The East Cardio Area is stocked with top-notch cardio equipment: ellipticals, treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bikes, stepmills, you name it! The West Cardio area features even more cardio machines, rowers, and mats to stretch out and blast that core! But not all of us miss the cardio. Some of us miss our tree trunk thighs and 38-inch verticals. Worry not! In the middle of the main floor is an entire den of weights and machines. And down the stairs? Even more machines, free weights, Olympic lifting bars, and a punching bag. Also featured in our lovely Fascitelli Center are three studio spaces used for spin, yoga, and aerobic workout classes.
4. Mackal Field House
Next, to the Keaney parking lot, we have a second athletic complex that has worlds to offer our retired athletes. “Mackal” features an indoor track, two fitness rooms with weights and cardio equipment, four reservable basketball courts, and a front desk staff ready to rent out all sorts of athletic equipment at no additional cost. It can get hot in there at peak activity hours, so get ready to get sweaty!
5. The Intramural Sports Office
If you continue beyond the front desk, you’ll pass the Intramural Sports office. For just a small fee, any URI student can join or create a team for any one of the 28 sport leagues and special events for this upcoming school year. If you’re looking for something a little more competitive, URI also offers 18 NCAA-recognized club sports.
6. The Keaney Complex
Walk even further from the Mackal Field House and you’ll come across the Keaney Complex. Stop by Keaney gym during the fall to catch a women’s Varsity Volleyball game and in the spring for a men’s Club Volleyball game. They’re all free!
7. The Tootell Aquatic Center
The last part of this complex I’d like to note is the Tootell Aquatic Center. It features three pools of different sizes and depths: a Lap Swim Pool with 8 lanes, Diving Pool, and a Recreational/Instructional Pool. All of which are free to use! This area also houses group exercise studios and the Tootell West gym where students can play basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, and even ultimate frisbee.
8. Rhody Run 5K Course
For my fellow runners, URI has a 5K course around campus that both starts and ends on the quadrangle. There are already four 5K races scheduled for this fall, so get online and get registered! Anyone looking for a more consistent gig will be pleased to know that URI has a Rhody Runner’s club that meets weekly and goes for longer runs.
9. Employment
If you’ve had your fun with competing and training, but you’d still like to be involved with health and fitness, you have options as well. You can apply to work for any division of Campus Recreation! URI has positions available as lifeguards, referees, office staff, group exercise instructors, personal trainers, and more, all for pay.
It can be tough adjusting to college life, especially for those who feel like they have to give up a big part of their identities. At URI, we don’t have to call it quits on athlete life. There are so many different ways to get involved in athletics that you won’t even have the time to try them all!
