NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University has announced that the Office of Recreation & Fitness will move under the guidance of SCSU Athletics and Director of Athletics Chris Barker, effective for the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year. In addition to Recreation & Fitness now working more collaboratively with the Department of Athletics, club sports and intramurals will also become part of SCSU Athletics.
"This partnership between Athletics and Recreation & Fitness couldn't be better timed," Vice President of Student Affairs Tracy Tyree said. "As we are elevating focus on the importance of students finding their connections and places of belonging at Southern, we know that varsity sports, club sports and intramurals are all important and meaningful experiences for our students. Combining the expertise of staff and enhancing coordination in both of these departments will most certainly increase the opportunities for our students to have high quality competition and fun."
Recreation & Fitness staff will work more closely with Athletics staff, which will be rebranded as SCSU Athletics & Recreation. Coordinator of Recreation & Fitness Andrew Marullo will now report directly to Barker, while the athletic administration will provide additional support. Additionally, it will also signal an expanded partnership between SCSU Blue Crew and SCSU Athletics as the Owls welcome its largest on-campus support group.
"We're very excited to bring Recreation & Fitness, club sports and intramurals back to Athletics," Barker said. "SCSU Athletics is always looking for ways to improve the student, and student-athlete, experience and this is another step in that direction."
SCSU Athletics is comprised of 19 varsity sports and competes at the NCAA Division II level. The Owls are members of the Northeast 10 Conference, while gymnastics competes in the Gymnastics East Conference. Southern Connecticut boasts more-than 800 All-Americans, all-time, as well as 10 team and 81 individual NCAA Division II National Championships, including 2022 NCAA Division II Javelin National Champion Jordan Davis. Academically, the Owls have been recognized with conference, regional and national academic awards on an annual basis.
"I'm excited that Recreation & Fitness, as well as club sports and intramurals, will now be part of athletics," Marullo said. "Chris Barker and his staff do a tremendous job in building successful athletics programs and partnering with other areas on campus and I'm thrilled to be a part of what they do."
Over 250 Southern Connecticut students compete across 13 club sports on an annual basis, with teams ranging from recreational to competitive. Club sports offered by SCSU are men's rugby, women's rugby, cheerleading, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, Esports, taekwondo, Steppin' Up Drill Team, SCSU Dance and the Symphonic Pulse Dance Company. Additionally, over 500 students participate in intramural sports including football, basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer, softball and floor hockey.
The Fitness Center and Open Recreation operate over 100 hours per week and are free for all students at the University. Over 2,000 students, faculty, and staff utilize the facilities each year. The Fitness Center includes free weights, selectorized equipment, cardiovascular machines, and functional training spaces. Open Recreation at James Moore Field House includes access to the pool, basketball courts, weight room and indoor track.
Opening in Fall 2022, the Esports Lounge will be used for students to participate in all types of e-gaming, from recreational to competitive. This space will have recreational hours for all students and will also be the designated home arena for our Esports teams to practice and compete.
RECREATION STAFF
