The University-Student Union Recreation Department hosted a Recreational Sports and Fitness Day on Feb. 22 on the South Village Field. The event was held to commemorate the founding of NIRSA: Collegiate Recreation over 70 years ago.

Cal State LA students were treated to a day of fitness and fun as they participated in recreational soccer and football, and inflatable soccer, basketball, and baseball. Just across from all the fun games, booths were set up featuring on-campus wellness resources like intramurals from the Kinesiology building, the Golden Eagle, Physical Activity, Wellness and Mentoring Program, and nutrition education from the nutrition department. 

Director of Recreation in the University-Student Union Christopher Balam was excited to host the event for the first time at Cal State LA. “In the field of campus recreation, there is an organization called NIRSA that is centered around fitness and intramural play,” said Balam. “Every school year on this day, we celebrate by having an event outdoors where we go over play, wellness, fitness, competition and inclusivity.”

Cal State LA student-athlete and business management major Savaughna Mayo, attended the event with some of her tennis teammates. “I think it’s just important to build relationships and you get to just get a little bit of activity in your limbs,” said Mayo. 

Balam also felt the event was important in building connections stating, “we’re really trying to be able to connect folks to the different resources they have on campus while also engaging in some play competition, fitness and inclusivity.” He continued, “Connectedness on campus is such a big thing for student success as well as, you know, developing lifelong habits related to fitness and wellness.”