@NMSU
Back to school means back in shape
It might sound simple, but it's true, the best part of college is the return of the college students after a long summer break, for Silvia Green that is.
As Associate Director for Recreational Sports, Green oversees the facilities of the Activity Center and Rentfrow gymnasium, scheduling for the surrounding fields as well as student employment. Despite the record enrollment numbers this fall, Green said she doesn't really feel it because for the AC, it's always a busy time.
"It's hectic because of the changes and change is always hard," Green said, referring to the change of pace from summer children's camps to fall student activities. "But, that's why I got into this profession - the students."
Those students have the AC bursting at the seams by 3:30 p.m. on a daily basis. Scanning NMSU ID cards for attendance tracking previously took place in the afternoons and evenings, and averaged more than 1,000. But with scans starting during the day, the weight room running at capacity and intramurals starting this week, the numbers are sure to go up.
And as always, the start of intramurals brings with it intramural officials' training. These student positions officiate all intramural sports. Fall sports include volleyball, football, co-rec basketball, 3-on-3 basketball, outdoor soccer and more.
In addition to new student officials, Intramurals has seen a new face for the assistant director position. Jakody Huckaby joined the AC staff this summer after completing his time in graduate school at Angelo State University.
"That's been a lot of help for me and other AC staffers because we've all just filled in the work for that position ourselves," Green said, adding that the addition of a marketing coordinator also has served them well with the new health program AggieFit.
AggieFit is an effort by the staff of the Activity Center to help the NMSU community reach fitness goals and maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
"It'll bring in funds that will allow us to upgrade the facility like the locker rooms and the racquetball quarts," Green said. "We don't want to remain in the status quo."
Green, who has been working in the Intramurals office for 11 years now, said she's always enjoyed recreation, but most enjoys the college population, so the position is a perfect fit.
After graduating from NMSU with a bachelor's in psychology and a master's in counseling and educational psychology, Green spent some time working as a middle school counselor for Las Cruces Public Schools. She decided to return to NMSU and the AC to work for Director Paul LaPorte under whom she served during her time as a student.
"I really enjoy where I am day-in and day-out," Green said. "This is where I want to be."
Written by Susan Prosoco.