The Student Recreation and Fitness center, normally hiddenbehind the tracks, came out of hiding yesterday.
The first annual RECFEST was held from 1-3 p.m. The eventshowcased the variety of services offered by the center throughdemonstrations of group fitness classes and tours of the building.Students attending also enjoyed food, music and a chance to havefun.
"This is my first time coming here (to the center) and I'mimpressed with the facility and its variety," said VeAndreaWashington, a 19-year-old sophomore.
The event offered a 24-foot rock-climbing wall, inflatables, aniron man obstacle course and banana splits as part of the fun.
"If I was strong enough, I would climb the rock wall, but that'snot going to happen," Washington said.
Instructors and personal trainers Sharon Boone and ChristenRoland were present to demonstrate the techniques and moves thatare a part of each class the center offers. These classes includeresist-a-ball step, yoga, Pilates and kickboxing.
"Hopefully, this (event) will bring more students to our classesand help fitness in general," Roland said.
And for those that liked what they saw, information aboutclasses such as dates and times was available to students.
The main highlights of the day were the beefcake belly-flopdiving contest and the slam-dunk contest.
Contestants in the diving competition were judged on thedistinguishing qualities of the flop like noise, splash, spread andpresentation.
The winner of the slam-dunk contest received a basketballautographed by men?s basketball head coach John Calipari.
Suzanne Fenech, aquatics and safety coordinator, said the maingoal of the event was to bring students out so they could see whatthe fitness center has to offer.
Ross Tucker, an 18-year-old freshman, enjoyed the event.
"I'm excited about the recreation center because now I know whatthe center has available, and it'll help me say in shape," hesaid.
The event was held outside at the outdoor pool, and studentswere able to eat, swim and socialize poolside.
"I want to get my bathing suit," said Toni Mason, a 20-year-oldjunior.
"I'm excited about seeing everyone come out together. I had funwatching the instructors do the different workouts."
The event left the center with a promising future.
"Usually when I come over here, there's nothing going on. Nowthere is. It (was) a great way to meet people and learn about thecenter," Tucker said.
