Carnegie Mellon Athletics to Launch an Expanded Outdoor Recreation Program

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon Athletics Department will launch an expanded outdoor recreation program this fall to provide greater extracurricular opportunities for members of the university community.

“We are excited to expand our program in a strategic way to meet the needs of our students, staff and faculty. Our ambition is to provide more opportunities for social engagement through sport, competition and physical activity,” said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. “We have strategically invested resources in a way that we feel will maximize our potential in this realm.”

The department has purchased equipment for a number of popular outdoor games, including lawn volleyball, lawn badminton, bocce, corn hole, Kan Jam, Spike Ball, washer toss, croquet, wiffle ball and ladder ball. Throughout Orientation and the first week of classes, the athletics department staff will organize various games and activities on the areas adjacent to the Cut, across from Warner Hall, daily from 3-6 p.m.   

“The intramural, club sport and recreational offerings have grown exponentially over the past few years,” said Assistant Director of Athletics Sara Gauntner, who oversees the university’s recreational programs. “It will be fun to see more community members participating in a wide range of recreational activities.”

Last spring, the athletics department offered an outdoor biking class as part of its physical education program. Students rode around campus and parts of Pittsburgh with a certified spinning instructor.

Following the first week of classes, the department will offer structured outdoor activities from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The outdoor games will be available for checkout at the CUC equipment desk at other times. The department will also expand its physical education program to include more outdoor recreational activities during the academic year. Individuals or organizations interested in participating during the 3-6 p.m. timeframe should contact Sara Gauntner.

“Our programs are intended to meet the needs of the entire community. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be taking this big step toward meeting that demand,” Centor said.