2008 Woodie Awards
Sports Complex explored: Local residents, sweaty students
Doors open at 6 a.m. for waiting residents; aerobic dance classes taught to 82-year-olds
Joy Pavelski
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Sports
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Before teaching her 4 p.m. aerobic dance class at Hillsdale College, personal trainer Alesia Aumock tightens the laces on her Rykä shoes because, she says, tight shoes make her younger.
An hour and several pounding techno remixes later, 30 sweaty college students pour out of the dance studio with raspy breath and satisfied smiles. They clatter down the stairway from the dance studio to the gymnasium, passing volleyball players with squeaking shoes on orange hardwood floors before walking out front doors guarded - always, it seems - by an elderly woman.
The Roche Sports Complex may be where the largest number of Hillsdale College students interact with faculty, staff and local residents outside of conventional meetings in class, at work, and while running errands. Tucked into a hillside at the southwest corner of campus, it is a Petri dish of people, their schedules and ambitions. One of
Aumock's classes has students ranging in age from 18 to 82.
"There's a diversity of people in fitness levels, and we all motivate each other," Aumock said. "You can come to the sports complex and take a class not just for credit, but for your own good."
For many people, fitness is a part of their routine. Six to 14 young adults come every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon to play pickup games of basketball courts for free.
Often, a line of six to 10 people wait at the doors for the sports center to open at 6 a.m.
"We have a tremendous amount of people who come in here before work," said Athletics Staff Assistant Claudia Gillette. "It's part of their routine to get their workout in the morning. It's the same way during lunchtime."
Those who use the sports center early in the morning or during the lunch hour are usually Hillsdale residents who have purchased membership at the sports center and use it like an area fitness center. Their membership cards are like a credit card in shape and texture, of black plastic with gold ink.
An hour and several pounding techno remixes later, 30 sweaty college students pour out of the dance studio with raspy breath and satisfied smiles. They clatter down the stairway from the dance studio to the gymnasium, passing volleyball players with squeaking shoes on orange hardwood floors before walking out front doors guarded - always, it seems - by an elderly woman.
The Roche Sports Complex may be where the largest number of Hillsdale College students interact with faculty, staff and local residents outside of conventional meetings in class, at work, and while running errands. Tucked into a hillside at the southwest corner of campus, it is a Petri dish of people, their schedules and ambitions. One of
Aumock's classes has students ranging in age from 18 to 82.
"There's a diversity of people in fitness levels, and we all motivate each other," Aumock said. "You can come to the sports complex and take a class not just for credit, but for your own good."
For many people, fitness is a part of their routine. Six to 14 young adults come every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon to play pickup games of basketball courts for free.
Often, a line of six to 10 people wait at the doors for the sports center to open at 6 a.m.
"We have a tremendous amount of people who come in here before work," said Athletics Staff Assistant Claudia Gillette. "It's part of their routine to get their workout in the morning. It's the same way during lunchtime."
Those who use the sports center early in the morning or during the lunch hour are usually Hillsdale residents who have purchased membership at the sports center and use it like an area fitness center. Their membership cards are like a credit card in shape and texture, of black plastic with gold ink.
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