The focus of the Center for Sports and Recreation is development of students through intercollegiate and recreational sports, and fitness promotion for all students. Recreational programs such as intramurals are also under the supervision of the Sports and Recreation Center.
Intercollegiate Athletics
Intercollegiate athletic competition plays an important role in the lives of Clarion students. Clarion University is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Division II), Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, and the Eastern Wrestling League.
The present athletics program includes six men and ten women's varsity programs. The men's programs are baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming and diving, and Division I wrestling. The women's programs are basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.
Facilities for intercollegiate athletics include Memorial Stadium and the Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium-Natatorium. The stadium seats approximately 6,500 spectators. The football field is surrounded by an all-weather track. The facility also includes a baseball field, softball field, soccer field, practice football fields, and parking areas. The gymnasium-natatorium, seating approximately 4,000 spectators, is used for both physical education and athletic activities. A weight room, located in the gym, is used for intercollegiate athletics and physical education classes.
Club Sport Program
Douglas Knepp, M.Ed., director of club sports
106 Student Recreation Center
393-1667
dknepp@clarion.edu
Website
The Club Sport Program is administered by the Sports and Recreation Department located in the Student Recreation Center. The designation of club sport is given to recognized student organizations (RSOs) choosing to participate in athletic competition with outside organizations in a non-varsity status. To obtain club sport status, an organization must meet stipulations set forth by the Intramural, Recreation, and Club Sport (IRCS) committee. Club sports operate on a year-to-year basis contingent upon student interest. Examples of club sport programs at Clarion are men and women's rugby, equestrian, ultimate Frisbee, roller hockey, men's volleyball, and soccer.
Intramural Programs
Douglas Knepp, M.Ed., director of intramurals, recreation, and fitness
106 Student Recreation Center
393-1667
dknepp@clarion.edu
Website
Intramural and recreational programs are provided for students by student activity fees allocated by the Student Senate. Programs are planned and supervised by the Department of Sports and Recreation. Intramural competition is available for more than 50 activities, including flag football, soccer, volleyball, chess, bowling, table tennis, basketball, wrestling, badminton, billiards, swimming, softball, in-line hockey, water basketball, golf, and racquetball. The intramural office is housed in the Student Recreation Center and many of the intramural events are held in the facility. Ongoing fitness counseling is available, as well as instruction on the use of the strength and cardio equipment. The department also offers a fitness component intended to help students develop and maintain a healthy and physically fit body through strength training programs, aerobics, and body fat percentage screening tests.
Student Recreation Center
Lori A. Sabatose, M.A., manager
104 Student Recreation Center
393-1667
lsabatose@clarion.edu
Website
The Student Recreation Center opened in October 1999. The student fee-funded facility houses three multi-purpose courts that may be used for basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, floor hockey, or badminton. It also contains a four-lane running/walking track, a 32-by-25 foot climbing wall with four belay stations, a stretching area, and cardiovascular area, and a 4,700 square foot weight room. Equipment includes a variety of steppers, elliptical cross trainers, treadmills, stationary bicycles, and rowing machine. The weight room combines free weights, plate-loaded stations, and variable resistance weight training machines. Outdoor recreation equipment, such as camping gear, bicycles, cross-country skis, and roller blades, may be checked out for a minimal fee. Indoor equipment, such as basketballs, volleyballs, and tennis balls, and racquets are available as well.
The center also contains men and women's locker/shower rooms, a multi-use room, a meeting room, and office space for the recreation center director and the intramural, recreation, and fitness director. A majority of the programs sponsored by the intramural department are held in the Student Recreation Center. All students enrolled at Clarion Campus are admitted to the facility and have use of all equipment by simply presenting a valid Clarion University ID card.
