As we emerge from the lazy quiet of COVID and start moving around more freely, many people are looking forward to getting back in shape – both physically and mentally. And Campus Recreation Services (CRS) wants to help that happen. That’s why – in addition to setting up various activities and games at the Johnson Center and Silcox Gym, with open recreation hours – they are asking faculty and staff for their input regarding lunchtime and after-work social leagues and pickup sports.

This summer, the Johnson Center and Silcox Gym are open to faculty and staff with a valid Cougar Card, weekdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to the track and the second-floor exercise deck – complete with treadmills, free weights, recumbent bicycles, weight machines, elliptical machines and rowing machines – there are badminton and pickleball nets, pingpong tables, a miniature golf course, volleyball courts, a golf simulator and a batting cage (contact Freddie Lipata for an appointment).

CRS is also gauging faculty and staff’s interest in participating in social leagues and/or pickup days at lunchtime (12–2 p.m.) and/or after work (5–7 p.m.) during the week. Please email Freddie Lipata, assistant director of CRS, at lipataf@cofc.edu to express your interest in any of the following:

  • badminton
  • pickleball
  • pingpong
  • volleyball
  • miniature golf
  • simulator golf

In addition, Lipata hopes to get enough interest to bring back the Faculty/Staff Softball League and asks that those interested let him know. If there aren’t enough people to run a league, the plan is to have weekly social games throughout the summer.

“COVID has definitely made it more difficult to make connections, and we would love to help continue to bring our CofC community together,” says Lipata. “We hope these activities will be able to add to each of our professional and social networks.”