RecFest displays club sport choices

With loud music blasting, more than 1,500 freshmen gathered Friday night in the North Fee Lane fields for IU's annual RecFest, an event put on by the Division of Recreational Sports.\nRecFest brought many club and intramural sports teams together so members could introduce themselves to new students. \nB97's Pam Thrash was broadcasting live and interviewed several group promoters.\n"We're here to get (freshmen) interested and get them on a bike to ride," said Jonathan Nall, a student with the cycling club. "This is a good way to get our club out there for new people to see and for freshmen to see what's on campus."\nWhile the Tae Kwan Do club demonstrated martial arts for an audience, a five-member group representing the Student Recreational Sports Center group exercise sessions performed an aerobic demo class on the stage. \n"We want to showcase the Division of Recreational Sports and for kids to see the intramurals and clubs," said Chris Geary, assistant director of special events for the Division of Recreational Sports. "This is a great place to inform kids of what we have."\nLong lines of students formed in front of the rock climbing wall and near free food from Marsh Supermarkets.\nThe rock climbing wall was so popular that some students got back in line for a second try.\n"I was the first girl up the wall; it was awesome," said freshman Rebecca Herr. "I think I might do the climbing club."\nCouncil Travel sponsored a free trip for two to New York City, an offer which drew a large crowd to the booth.\n"We put this on so the freshmen can come see what recreational sports offers," said Steve Heeter, assistant director for member services. "We've brought in some vendors and do a showcase to get freshmen involved right off the bat."\nSeveral groups were excited at the chance to entice freshmen interested in something new or those looking to continue with something they had been involved in at home.\n"We just want to attract to new members and let people know about it," said Eva Rosenblatt, a student and member of the Equestrian Club. "Many people don't even know there is an equestrian team, and we are happy to publicize the sport."\nMembers of the recreational sports staff also looked to help freshmen find things to be involved with.\n"The impressive part is the student-led recreation programs and how they are trying to encourage students," said Kimberly Ruff, director of marketing and sponsorship. "This is a really neat way to do that and has worked really well with the students coming over from Assembly Hall."\nWith contests and more promotion this year, staff members agree that this year's RecFest was one of the largest ever.\n"I think from the club sport side, the hardest part is getting students back in time but they definitely realize the value in (RecFest) because almost all of them are here," said Stacey Hall-Yannessa, assistant director of intramural and club sports.\nStudents were led by a path of balloons and loudspeakers to RecFest, which followed the Traditions and Spirit of IU at Assembly Hall.