Category: AFC

For the Love of the Game : Men’s Club Rugby

Looking back at 1965, Rick Stafford and George Wiltshire didn’t know that they would be starting the first intercollegiate sport at George Mason University – Men’s Rugby. When asked how it all began, Stafford took us on a trip down memory lane and explained that he was simply walking through the Ordinary (the student lounge in 1965) when he came across a sign that read: “Call this number if interested in playing rugby”. He and Wiltshire were curious and found themselves playing with the Washington Rugby Club. After the game, they both agreed that they were hooked. Stafford went far enough to say, “Rugby became an addiction”. Immediately, they began gathering players to create a team. Stafford and Wiltshire give credit to Neb Turner, the Dean of Students at the time, who helped recruit Mason students to play. “I have to give credit to Neb Turner” Wiltshire said; Turner played rugby at the University of Virginia and wanted a team at Mason. Stafford said that Turner would interview students and then “would pick the athletic guys and point them our way”. Turner was a big help to the two co-founders, adding to their success in recruiting students for the team. When they needed players, they went into the Ordinary, asked if anyone wanted to learn how to play and students would be willing to check it out. When asked about the recruiting process, Wiltshire replied with a chuckle. Despite being praised as the founders of the oldest intercollegiate sport in school history, Stafford and Wiltshire are humble men who give much credit to the people around them.

It has been 50 years since Rick Stafford and George Wiltshire started GMU’s Men’s Club Rugby team. This past weekend, all of the team’s alumni were invited to celebrate their 50th season as a club sport. Former players from every decade came out to the West Campus fields to watch the George Mason Patriots take on the John Hopkins Blue Jays. It was a celebration for both the alumni and current rugby team. The alumni celebrated their past work and the current players celebrated beating John Hopkins by a score of 36-24. Rick Stafford was asked about the team’s play and said, “ they have some good instincts and are clearly led by a quality coaching staff”; George Wiltshire added, “Mason was good at getting rid of the ball just like they were 50 years ago.” To end the day, Stafford and Wiltshire were asked if they ever play rugby nowadays. Both men chuckled at the thought with one of them saying, “Twenty-two years is enough.” At the end of the day, the alumni event was a great success – full of laughs, smiles, shared memories, and a winning team. Rick Stafford and George Wiltshire are a reminder to us all for why we play sports. It is not for the fame, it is not for the glory, and it is not to beat up your friends or opponents. We play, simply, for the love of the game.

AFC Locker Room Closures

AFC Locker Room Closures – September 28 and 29

The AFC men’s and women’s general locker rooms will be closed next week due to maintenance items. The women’s locker room will be closed on Monday, September 28 from 6a-2p and the men’s locker room will be closed on Tuesday, September 29 from 6a-2p.

The family changing room will be the designated locker room for the women on Monday, September 28 and will be designated locker room for the men on Tuesday, September 29. We ask that patrons with reserved lockers please remove your items no later than the day before the closure as there will be no access to the closed locker rooms during the maintenance period.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

AFC Re-Opening & Update

AFC Re-Opens After Annual Maintenance Down Week

We are often asked, “What happens during Down Week?” Each year we close the AFC to address maintenance, cleaning and other major projects that cannot be done during the year without disruptions to our operations. Some of the items that we addressed this year include:

Deep cleaning of facility air ducts and vents
Deep cleaning of pool decks, bulkheads and drains
Deep cleaning of fitness area and equipment
Painting and re-finishing of fitness areas and facility benches
Preventative maintenance on mechanical equipment
Repairs and preventative maintenance to fitness equipment
Installation of new floors in the men’s and women’s locker rooms and well as our lifeguard area
Replacement of shower heads in men’s and women’s locker rooms
Replacement of soap dispensers and shower curtains in the men’s locker room
New fitness equipment such as a heavy bag and ropes

Our student and professional staff have worked hard over the past two weeks, and we hope that you, our patrons, enjoy our improvements and find the facility to be welcoming and enjoyable.

BEFORE – – AFTER

Now Hiring: Lifeguards

We’re Looking for Lifeguards

Join the Mason Recreation Team this Summer

We are in need of lifeguards available to begin work immediately and with availability through August 29, 2015. Click HERE to apply, once you apply please contact Harold Houston via phone at 703-993-3924 or via email at [email protected] to schedule your interview.

The following certifications are required:

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider/Lifeguard
Lifeguarding/First Aid

There is a skills test that you will be required to take. Once you are hired, you will have the option to continue to work past the dates mentioned if you have availability.

Summer Hours of Operation

Recreation Facility Summer Hours

All facility hours will adjust for the summer months beginning on Thursday, May 14^th.

Aquatic and Fitness Center (AFC):

Monday-Friday 6a-9p

Saturday 8a-7p

Sunday 9a-9p

*Pools will close 30 minutes before the facility

**In observation of Independence Day, the AFC will close at 12p on July 4

Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC):

Monday-Friday 12p-8p

*In observation of Memorial Day and Independence Day, the RAC will be closed on May 25 and July 4

Skyline Fitness:

Skyline Fitness will close at 6p on Wednesday, May 13 for the summer and will re-open in August.

National Compliment Day – January 24, 2015 by Jennifer Lehman

Compliments at the Recreation & Athletic Complex

Most of us enjoy receiving compliments. “Your hair looks great today!” “That was a great game you played!” “Your presentation was fantastic!” We enjoy the feeling we get when we’ve been sincerely complimented and it makes us feel good about ourselves. Compliments help to build our self-esteem and encourage us to continue to work hard. By genuinely complimenting others, we provide them with the same uplifting experience. We also help to build positive relationships with others, and by making others feel good, we in turn also feel good!

National Compliment Day is January 24, 2105. Think about how you can impact others. Take opportunities throughout that day to sincerely compliment your fellow students, friends and anyone you feel deserves a compliment. As the saying goes, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving!”

Stay Fit for the Holidays – by Jennifer Lehman, MS RYT

The holidays can wreck even the most dedicated exerciser’s routine. With a schedule filled with visits from friends and family, shopping, and fun, maintaining your regular fitness program can be a real challenge. You can throw in the towel and wait until January to get back to your regular workouts, but that means you’ll lose some of the progress you’ve already made. Instead, you can schedule activities that will easily fit into your busy schedule. Below are a few ways to stay fit for the holidays.

Wherever you are for the holidays, look for ways to keep moving. If you’re in the mountains, ski, hike, or snowboard. If you’re on the coast, spend time walking on the beach or riding bikes. Plan family outings around physical activity that everyone can enjoy and provides time away from the hustle bustle.
Even during the busiest days, most people can schedule 30 minutes of some type of activity. Walking and running are easy to squeeze into a tight schedule. Or if you’re out and about and can swing by your local fitness center for a quick 30 minute workout, do it! Plan ahead and have workout clothes with you just in case.
Before your shopping day begins, take a few laps around each floor of the mall. That will give you time to window shop and work off a few calories!
Buy a short term holiday membership at your local fitness center. Most facilities offer a student or teacher membership for those who are only home for a few weeks.
Put together a body weight workout that can be done anywhere. A quick set of pushups, jumping jacks, squats, and sit ups can help to maintain your fitness level if you don’t have access to a gym.

Finding time to exercise might be a challenge, but it’s absolutely doable. Keep staying active top of mind and you’ll see you have extra time. By carefully planning how you can keep moving throughout the holidays, you will maintain or even increase your fitness level! So stay fit for the holidays!