College of Education and Human ServicesCOEHS

'Help wanted: disco skate, four-square skills'

RPTA students get hands-on opportunities via Campus Recreation

By Teresa Koltzenburg ‘92

Nick Knowles photoActivities like disco skate and four-square tournaments may not sound like matters of business, but for many newly minted college graduates heading into the recreation, leisure and/or tourism field, that résumé entry illustrating a student has assisted with such special events can demonstrate experience, as well as the commitment and willingness to serve.

Now WIU recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA) students have the chance to prove involvement in philanthropic, recreational or sport tourneys or helping out with organizing a community-based activity, thanks to a new partnership between Western’s Campus Recreation and RPTA department.

Through an informal training program, Nick Knowles ‘02 MS ‘07, assistant director of sport clubs and facilities for Campus Recreation, in conjunction with faculty members in the RPTA department, is providing RPTA students with a number of hands-on opportunities in special event planning. Not only does the program provide students with choice résumé content, but it also helps Campus Recreation organize and conduct stellar special events.

“For Mom’s Weekend in Fall 2008, we held our own ‘Amazing Race,’ based on the television show format. The students’ planning help for that event was huge,” Knowles explained. “We have also had students help us with disco skate and the Trot for Tots events. In addition, we have had students help us with different sporting and activity tourneys, include four-square and golf tournaments.”Disco skate photo

Winners All Around
Last year, when Knowles was in charge of planning and executing special events at Campus Recreation, the only staff he had to help was himself and a few graduate assistants, he said.

“Many of our events need anywhere from five to 20 additional workers, so that’s where the relationship with the RPTA department has helped. Because I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in RPTA, I know that getting experience with planning and conducting special events is essential,” he said. “I approached the faculty in the department to see if they would be interested in working with me to help out Campus Recreation and to give RPTA students the opportunity to gain some experience.”
Knowles’ approach has worked well; he noted the RPTA department’s effort to help make these opportunities possible for students has been key to the success of the endeavor.

“Dr. Dale Adkins, Dr. Minsun Doh and Dr. Mike Lukkarinen ‘97 MS ‘98 have all been big supporters,” he said. “They send many students our way. Our events are tailored to the RPTA curriculum and to that field in general, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone—the students, faculty and staff members—involved.”

Knowles noted that while some of his responsibilities have changed since last academic year, Dustin Van Sloten MS ‘01, assistant director of sports programs at Campus Recreation, will continue the program with RPTA students in Fall 2009 and Spring 2010.

Students take in a night of fun at the annual disco skate event hosted by Campus Recreation with help from RPTA students seeking event-planning experience.

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