Ball State University Recreation History

In 1991, the Task Force for Physical Education, Recreation and Athletic Facilities was created to develop a multi-faceted recreation program to serve the Ball State community. To facilitate this new program, University Arena (Worthen) and the Health and Physical Activities Building were constructed. Tom Morrison was hired as the director of the Sports Facilities Management and Dan Byrnes as the director of the newly formed Office of Recreation Programs. Assisting Dan with the task of developing a recreation program from scratch was a facilities coordinator, three graduate assistants, and about 100 student employees.

Our Team

Since the department was formed in 1992, the participation levels of our patrons have soared and additional staff have been added in order to meet the demand for recreational services. Also, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center was constructed at a total cost of $39 million. The Office of Recreation Services now employs one director, one associate director, five coordinators, and approximately 200 student-employees.

Meet Our Team

Our Programs

Staff is continually busy managing the following program areas:

  • Informal Recreation
  • Aquatics & Pools
  • Intramural Sports
  • Sport Clubs
  • Youth & Family Programs
  • Outdoor Pursuits
  • REC Fit Classes
  • Instructional Classes
  • Safety Certifications
  • Patron Services & Marketing

VIEW OUR PROGRAMS

Our Commitment

What has made our department so successful is the dedication and hard work exhibited by our professional and student staff. Recreation Services is now known for customer service, highly organized programs, and clean and well-managed facilities. Our goal is to offer a wide variety of recreation services to the Ball State community, which consist of faculty and staff, students, alumni, and their family members.

Additional Resources

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