HC Sport Management Majors take over Campus Rec

Montgomery, Ala.—Call it “hands-on,” “real-world,” “learning by doing,” or “active” learning—internships are an essential aspect of a Huntingdon College education and are arguably among the most valuable experiences supporting a student’s journey to his or her professional calling. The opportunity for students to work in their field of choice prior to graduation—to learn what they love to do, what they don’t love, where their skills excel, and where they could use a brush-up—internships weld the educational framework built in the classroom with actual experience. Three Huntingdon College seniors have signed on for fall internships that will not only inform their career choices, but will also transform the College’s Campus Recreation programming, according to Dr. Anthony Leigh, senior vice president for student and institutional development and dean of students. Leigh has appointed senior sport management majors Chris Williams, Andrew Knight, and Cam Page to plan and conduct campus recreation programming for the fall semester.

“This is a partnership between our Department of Athletics, the academic Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, the Center for Career and Vocation, and the Office of Student Development,” said Leigh. “I’m exceedingly excited to have a student-minded group of seniors who can put their understanding of the College, their academic knowledge, and their servant spirits to good use for the benefit of campus recreation and the Huntingdon student experience.”

Campus recreation is an extension of the Office of Student Development, providing fun competition for students on teams they choose and name themselves or in groups of friends not associated with an intercollegiate sport. Since Huntingdon began observing class-free “Flexible Fridays” this fall, students have extra time to enjoy campus life programming, including campus recreation. To date, the Campus Rec trio has planned a cornhole tournament for Friday, August 13; a dodgeball tournament, August 20; and a beach volleyball tournament, August 27. “They will also work with athletics to do some in-game programming and help generate turnout at Huntingdon athletic contests,” said Leigh.

“The aspect of being involved with any sporting event on campus is exciting—just the unknown of what is to come during the events is what excites me most,” said Page, who hails from Niceville, Fla., and is a member of the Huntingdon Hawks golf team. Page plans a career in sports marketing and sees this internship as a good fit as he moves forward.

Andrew Knight, a member of the Huntingdon Hawks baseball team from Vestavia Hills, Ala., agrees, saying, “I believe that this internship will help me find my true passion for sport and event management. I envision my next step after Huntingdon will be to work in operations management for a professional sports organization.”

Flag football leagues, spikeball, games during half-time of athletic events, a fall festival, sports appreciation events, and tournaments are among the ideas the trio is considering for the fall. “What excites me most about this internship is the ability to bring different people together through physical activity and the fun of competition,” said Knight.

Students who are interested in participating in campus rec events should contact Page, Knight, or Williams for more information on forming or being part of a team. Email Cameron.page@, chris_a.knight@, or pwilliams@ hawks.huntingdon.edu.

“Our goal is to make campus recreation accessible to as many students as possible,” said Williams, a baseball player from Pelham, Ala. “We plan on having sign-up sheets in the dining hall and residence halls, as well. Any student is welcome to participate!”

“It’s my hope that we will continue campus recreation as an internship opportunity, selecting three new students to plan and oversee programming for the spring semester,” said Leigh.

Huntingdon College is a coeducational residential liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church offering more than thirty programs of study and twenty NCAA-Division III athletic teams. The College also offers the Master of Athletic Training.

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