Iowa State University
Ames, IA
MISSION
The mission of Iowa State University Recreation Services is to create an environment, through exceptional recreation facilities, programs, and services that inspires, educates, and empowers students and members of the Iowa State community to cultivate lifestyles that enhance health and wellness.
ISU Recreation Services is committed to becoming a recognized leader in student-focused, innovative collegiate recreation. Our dedicated professional and student staff strive to positively transform lives by offering exceptional facilities, programs, and services.
Our core values serve as decision-making gauges for our team members and leaders. They drive and influence how we approach our job, relate to one another, and they are a reflection of our organizational culture and brand. Our core values are: A Passion for Recreation, An Ability to Have Fun, and Being a Team Player.
FACILITIES
Iowa State University Recreation Services is fortunate to have three different recreation facilities. State Gymnasium is the oldest recreation facility (circa 1910), located on the west side of campus; however it was completely renovated and added onto in 2012. This facility houses the administration offices of Recreation Services and the Outdoor Recreation Program and Fitness and Wellness Suite offices, while also housing two tracks, two basketball gyms with five courts in total, a recreation pool with a vortex, 3-meter diving platform, and 16’ by 9’ TV screen, and a 40’ foot rock climbing wall.
Lied Recreation Athletic Center was built in 1990, located on the east side of campus, and houses two indoor tracks, a 50 yard by 60 yard artificial turf, 6 racquetball courts, 20 basketball courts, and the newly renovated bouldering wall. Beyer Hall is located across from State Gymnasium and houses 3 basketball courts, 5 racquetball courts, 2 squash courts, a functional training room, and a competition swimming pool.
PROGRAMMING
There are a variety of programs offered through Iowa State University Recreation Services. Through Group Fitness, over 100 classes are offered, ranging from Pilates, to kettlebell, to cycling. Through our Outdoor Recreation Program, numerous weekend trips and extended trips are offered. Even customized trips can be organized! Our Intramurals Program is one of the best in the country and we offer over 50 exciting different competitive sports for students each year.
FUN FACTS
- Lied Rec Center’s Running Track is the third largest indoor track in the world!
- The Intramural Sports program offers Intramural Champion T-shirts to the winning teams of each intramural tournament. These T-shirts are the most coveted pieces of clothing at Iowa State making the tournaments fun but extremely competitive.
- The ISU Sport Clubs program offers over 50 clubs, ranging from regional to national competition. The ISU Hockey Club is one of the best known hockey teams in the nation; we even have an ISU Quidditch Club!
- The Group Fitness program offers many group fitness classes that are included in the recreation fee. Individual person training for students is an additional cost but very affordable. A student can also get body assessments and have fitness orientations to get started on a workout plan.
- The Outdoor Recreation program lets students check out outdoor equipment, from canoes and paddles to tents and cookware. They even offer bike maintenance services.
- Iowa State University Recreation Services hosts a variety of different external events at our facilities. These events range from the Oddessy of the Mind World Finals to hosting the National and Iowa Special Olympics and Annual Iowa Games tournaments.
- The outdoor Southwest Complex is home to many sport clubs including rugby, paintball, archery and baseball. The legendary Cap Timm baseball field underwent a complete renovation is collaboration with a Senior/Graduate Level Architecture design class who designed and built the project over the Spring 2016 semester
