The Student Recreation Center (SRC) lobby is becoming a hub of activity with the move of the game room equipment down to the first floor.

Now students are using the pool tables, ping pong table, air hockey table, plus the two new Xboxes and PlayStations with increasing frequency. Two new 40-inch televisions flank the 65-inch plasma TV, and there are comfortable recliners from which to watch TV or play the games.

The glass-enclosed fitness center adjacent to game area heightens the activity level.

New game area in Student Recreation Center lobby gets increased student use.

Mike Reca, assistant vice president for auxiliary services, said that the game room, which was located on the second floor of the SRC, averaged 75 visits per week last year, and this year the new game area is averaging 400 per week.

He credited the Student Government Association (SGA) with taking the leadership for improvement in this area. “The SGA approached me last year, and felt that the game room was not getting utilized as it should,” Reca said. “Numbers were very high in group exercise, the fitness center, and in general intramural and recreation. It was felt that with this many people using the new building (which officially opened October 19, 2005), we should have a higher percentage using the game facilities.”

Students throng the new game area in the Student Recreation Center.

Reca added that Perry Whitely '06, last year’s SGA president; Steve Klemchalk '07, current SGA president, Nick Barbati '06, SGA vice-president and other SGA representatives were instrumental in leading the effort. The SRC steering committee also became involved, and together the idea grew to possibly use the lobby area.

“Perry took the idea back to the SGA, and it built momentum. The SGA also wanted to add the Xboxes and PlayStations,” Reca recalled. “They said they would raise the money and pay for the bulk of it. We also went to OIT. Carol Kondrach (associate vice president for information technology) and her staff were very enthusiastic, helpful and supportive of what we were trying to do.

We then took the idea to President Rozanski and he gave his full support. Tony Campbell (associate vice president for student affairs) also loved the idea. So, we went for it.”

Over the summer a moving company was hired to haul the heavy pool tables and other equipment down to the lobby. Jill Nowicki, manager of events and operations, worked closely with the SGA and OIT and devised the floor plan.

“We had a ton of student input. Our summer staff of students also gave us feedback in addition to the SGA and SRC steering committee,” Reca said. “We took the bulk of that and turned it into what you see now.”

The PlayStations and Xboxes, which are hooked to the 40-inch, LCD screen TVs, are a major attraction. They are linked so that eight people can compete in one game at the same time. They also have the capability to do online gaming so that Rider students could play students from other colleges and universities.

In addition, a sound system, which is tied to the building’s sound system, was installed in the ceiling above the game area. Music can be played through the ceiling, but it can be interrupted for a message or a wireless microphone can be used for an event.

It has been a very good year for the SRC. As it approaches its Thursday, October 19 anniversary, it is becoming a hub of activity. To celebrate its first year, Reca said the campus community is invited to a big anniversary party complete with cake, food, games and T-shirts that day.

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