Chance, originally from Dripping Springs, Texas, has been working as a student employee to help pay his way through college since the Fall of 2006. A member of our full time staff recently commented, "Chance is truly deserving of this honor and exemplifies all the qualities of a great employee. He truly cares about RecSports and the participants we serve."

The Value of RecSports During my College Career
by Chance Young

More than any fraternity, organization, or employer, the Division of Recreational Sports has had the greatest impact on my college career. There are many ways in which RecSports has been valuable to me. During the two years that I have been employed by RecSports, the Division has prevented me from going insane, kept me from starving, and helped me form many friendships.

Most students look forward to college because it is a time of freedom and independence. However, university life is not all fun and games. Strenuous coursework, additional social pressures, and the challenge of trying to balance your time can be quite distressing for a college student. I have personally found that physical activity is the best way for me to relieve my stress, and RecSports is the perfect avenue for this purpose. After several hours of being cooped up in the library, doing something like throwing the football on Clark Field is a rejuvenating experience. When I have a day of difficult classes, it is wonderful to be able to blow off some steam by lifting weights at Gregory Gym. Swimming or relaxing at the amazing Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex is another excellent way to relax after a big test. After a tough week of assignments, the ultimate outlet for pent up aggression is intramural sports. Without those RecSports activities, I would most assuredly go crazy!

My love for sports and physical activity attracted me to RecSports. Being an employee has been a big part of my life, and my role with the Division is expanding. I started out as an Intramural Official, and I now additionally work as a clerical student in the Programs and Memberships office. RecSports has been my main source of income since becoming a Longhorn, and through hard work in the office and at the IM Fields, I have been able to pay for books, gas, utilities,part of my rent, and groceries. These positions are not only helping hone my customer relations and decision-making skills, but are teaching me financial responsibility as well. My various responsibilities have encouraged me to refine a multitude of skills and develop a better understanding of service, integrity, and leadership.

The Division of Recreational Sports hires a great number of students to fill its many positions. It seems like you become a part of the RecSports family once you are hired, and it is easy to make new friends. I see many people that I know from work all of the time around campus and throughout Austin. In my case, I have not only met casual acquaintances, but many of my good friends are also RecSports employees or people that I met participating in a RecSports sponsored activity. I have even met my current roommate by refereeing a game with him back in the fall of 2006. I have met more of my friends through RecSports than by any other means since coming to UT.

The Division of Recreational Sports has been an important part of my college career. Being involved with RecSports both as an employee and as a participant effects my life in countless ways, including where I park my car, the topic of my scholastic assignments and whether or not I will wear my knee brace. But more importantly, because of the influence of RecSports on my college career, I am able to be partially self-independent and I have made some pretty awesome friends. I take prode in wearing my RecSports uniform which extends beyond a staff shirt and nametag to include a commitment to excellence. RecSports and all that it has to offer, has absolutely expanded my range of future opportunities, and I am thankful that the RecSports family has extended its arms to me.