Recreation Center provides fitness and fun for students

The Hansel E. Tookes Student Recreational Center provides physical activities for Florida A&M University students who want to stay active during their time on campus. 
Photo Submitted by Loren Lyons.

The Hansel E. Tookes Student Recreation Center provides physical activities for Florida A&M University students who want to stay active during their time on campus. The mission of the recreation center is to have a safe space for students to develop leadership skills, good sportsmanship and encourage students to stay active, free of charge.

Coordinator of Intramural Sports, Wayne Pye is passionate about getting more students to enjoy the resources the recreation center has to offer.

“I want to develop character in these students and promote their self-esteem,” Pye said.

Activities at the center include a gym workout station, rock climbing, Zumba, weightlifting, volleyball, massage therapy and more.

Pye said he would enjoy bringing other schools together for an olympic style game in the future.

“This is a community, like a family reunion and we want to get everyone involved, this needs to happen,” Pye said.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. while the outdoor courts are open from Sunrise to 1:00 a.m. The recreational center is also open to faculty, alumni, staff, and retirees for an annual fee of $150.

Since the center is free for enrolled students, it can be a great way for students to stay active and release stress from everyday life. Nutrition education, body composition testing and group fitness classes are offered for free.

Graduate student and assistant basketball coach, Marquies Brown said he enjoys working out six days a week at the gym.

“I’m very consistent with working out so when it's open, I love it,” Brown said.

The recreation  center also has competitive sport teams. Students are only required to create an IMLeagues account to sign up for the sport they are interested in.

Flag football, swimming, lacrosse, tennis, soccer, and boxing are just a few of the teams students can choose from. In the past, the wrestling and flag football teams have won and placed in tournaments around the community.

The Building supervisor Kamiya Davis said she enjoyed meeting new people since she has worked at the center. 

“I like seeing the same individuals every day, building a relationship with them, seeing their progress, and just the overall campus community,” Davis said.

Ultimately, the Recreation Center wants more students to take advantage of what they have to offer.

The center is currently looking for students to be a part of the indoor and sand volleyball teams. The league will begin on Wednesday, March 27th.

For more information about the recreational center, visit their website on FAMU’s Student Activities page.