Ricks College plans new approach to athletics, other student activities
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REXRURG, Idaho — Athletics isn't going away at Ricks College, emphasizes athletic director Garth Hall. "As intercollegiate athletics is phased out, there will be a proportionate increase in other on-campus athletic activities to take its place," he said.
Brother Hall recently was invited to direct the new student activities program by Ricks President David A. Bednar. During the next year-and-a-half while intercollegiate athletics is phased out at what will soon become Brigham Young University-Idaho, Brother Hall will continue to serve as athletic director while also directing the new student activities program.
He said the new student activities program will include an array of activities not only in sports and fitness, but also in the areas of personal development and performing and visual arts.
Because of his added duties, assistant track and field coach Justin Garner will serve as assistant athletic director until the intercollegiate athletic programs come to an end in the spring of 2002.
Also named to assist with the student activities program are music department chairman Jim Brague representing visual and performing arts (including music theater, dance and art), women's basketball coach Lori Woodland representing physical activities (including sports, fitness and recreation) and assistant Student Life vice president Ric Page representing personal development (including leadership, service, entertainment and social activities).
Brother Hall, who has been involved in intercollegiate athletics for 31 years, has a vision of a future that will offer more athletic activities to a greater number of students. Instead of limiting competitive athletics to a small number of top athletes, BYU-Idaho will open its doors to all students who want to participate in athletics from a highly competitive level to a leisurely level.
He hopes to see some new activities programs started as early as this coming summer. By the time fall sports such as football, cross country and volleyball are finished in late 2001, he plans to have even more activities in place.
While the loss of intercollegiate athletics will free up some space inside the Hart Building and also on outdoor playing fields, Brother Hall said this must be carefully analyzed. He said renovation of the Hart Building is on the drawing board in coming years.
There will be several levels of athletic activities. Among the unique will be a competitive level where students can try out for a wide variety of competitive campus athletic teams. The various teams will then be trained and coached to compete against each other.
Brother Hall intends to call upon the expertise of former Ricks coaches to help with the new competitive athletics program. "We will look within to fill these positions first," he said. "We need people with expertise in the various sports and a vision of and enthusiasm for what we're trying to achieve."
He adds that properly trained students will also be given the chance to serve in teacher, coach and supervisor capacities.
At the recreational level, students will still be able to participate in a wide range of intramural athletic activities that require little or no training. "At this level, students will get together to participate just for the enjoyment," Brother Hall said. He also sees such campus-wide activity events as summer and winter olympics, a marathon and continuation of such popular programs as Guitars Unplugged.
Instructional classes in everything from physical education to dance will continue. Leisure activities ranging from piano to basketball will be available during a student's free time. He also envisions a fitness center where individual students can work out and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities on and around campus in which students can participate.
Brother Hall said the intercollegiate athletic teams at Ricks now serve about 280 athletes. Through the new on-campus athletic activities program, he projects serving many more students after the programs are phased in.
The performing and visual arts area will focus on art, dance, music and theater. Some activities will include art displays, dance performances, auditioned and non-auditioned musical groups and ensembles, and theatrical productions.
The personal development area will include leadership and service opportunities on campus and in the community as well as social and recreational opportunities ranging from dances, talent shows, recreational outings and large campus-wide events.
"I believe we can deliver a program that will make a significant difference in people's lives and involve many more people," he said.
