Mason Recreation

Category: Skyline

Summer Facility Hours

 

As the semester is coming to an end, the recreation facilities will have the following operating hours:

AFC: (May 12th – July 31st)

Monday-Friday – 6a-9p

Saturday – 8a-7p

Sunday – 9a-9p

**Pools will close 30 minutes before the facility

The AFC will close at 4p on Monday, May 30th in observation of Memorial Day and will close at 12p on Monday, July 4th in observation of Independence Day.

The AFC will be closed for annual maintenance from August 1st-August 14th.  Please visit the RAC during this time to continue your workouts.

 

RAC: (May 12th – July 31st)

Monday-Sunday – 12p-8p

The RAC will be closed Monday, May 30th in observation of Memorial Day and on Monday, July 4th in observation of Independence Day.

The RAC will have the following hours during the AFC’s scheduled Maintenance (August 1st-14th):

Monday-Friday – 6a-9p

Saturday – 8a-7p

Sunday – 9a-9p

The RAC will resume summers hours on Monday, August 15th thru Tuesday, August 23rd.  August 24th-August 27th the RAC will be open 9a-9p and will resume normal operating hours on Sunday, August 28th.

 

Skyline: (May 7th – August 24th)

Saturday, May 7th – 11a-9p

Sunday, May 8th – 11a-9p

Monday, May 9th – 9a-9p

Tuesday, May 10th – 9a-9p

Wednesday, May 11th – 9a-6p

Skyline will be closed May 12th-August 24th.

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours of Operation

During the Thanksgiving Holiday, the recreational facility will have the following hours:

Aquatic and Fitness Center (AFC)

  • Wednesday, November 25 – 6a-7p
  • Thursday, November 26 – CLOSED
  • Friday, November 27 – resume normal facility operating hours

 

Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC)

  • Wednesday, November 25 – 6a-7p
  • Thursday, November 26 – CLOSED
  • Friday, November 27 – 12p-8p
  • Saturday, November 28 – 12p-8p
  • Sunday, November 29 – resume normal facility operating hours

 

Skyline Fitness Center

  • Wednesday, November 25 – CLOSED
  • Thursday, November 26 – CLOSED
  • Friday, November 27 – CLOSED
  • Saturday, November 28 – CLOSED
  • Sunday, November 29 – 12p-midnight
  • Monday, November 30 – resume normal facility operating hours

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

22006200610_e061901e73_kLooking 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.

21573253153_0047832e6c_kIt 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.

Summer Hours of Operation

Recreation Facility Summer Hours

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

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

National Compliment Day

Compliments at the Recreation & Athletic Complex

National Compliment Day
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

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!
  4. 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.
  5. 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!

Home for the Holidays!

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You can’t wait to sleep in your own bed and to get a home-cooked meal from Mom! Seeing your family and friends sounds like a dream! But keep in mind that you’ve been on your own for several months and going back home could be a strain on you and on those you love. Keep the following tips in mind when going home for the holidays.

Offer to help. While your parents may be anxious to have you back home and to “take care” of their college student, be sure to chip in and help with things like laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. This will show them that you’re growing into a responsible adult and will provide everyone with a more shared holiday experience.

Honor your family’s time. Your personal schedule is more than likely different from your parent’s. While home on break, your parents may still be working. Offer to run errands while they’re at work so they have more time to spend with you while you’re home. Also, be sure to keep things quiet at night so that your family can get their needed sleep for work as well as for all the family festivities.

Honor your friend’s time. You’ll want to visit with friends who went off to their own colleges and with those who stayed at home. Remember that those who have been away at school need to spend time with their families too. Be sure to coordinate so that everyone has ample time to spend with all their loved ones.

Maintain, or begin a good diet. This can be challenging during a holiday season filled with cookies, candies, and rich holiday foods, but try to minimize indulging in these foods every day. By eating a mostly healthy diet during the holidays, you’ll decrease the chance you’ll gain holiday weight and you might even decrease your weight since you’ll be eating Mom’s home cooked meals!

Get lots of rest. While tempting to stay up every night with your friends and family, be sure to recover from the hard work you did during the Fall Semester and to prepare for the Spring Semester. Not only will rest allow you to clear your mind and to get ready for Spring, but rest is critical in maintaining good health during the cold and flu season.

Going home for the holidays can be as amazing as you hope it is. Remember to pitch in and be a contributing member of the family. Mom and Dad will appreciate your assistance and will be proud of the young adult you are!