Mechanical engineering senior Pablo Luna attempts to hit a ball during Oozeball on Sept. 19, 2025, on the corner of Summit Avenue and Greek Row Drive.
File photo / Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
UTA’s Campus Recreation is a cornerstone to helping students’ mental and physical wellness and plays a pivotal role in campus spirit and traditions.
With most of its operations at the Maverick Activities Center, the on-campus departments’ main service to students, faculty and staff is providing recreational and leisure opportunities. The department provides access and support to help ensure student success, said Chris Muller, associate director of Campus Recreation.
But the department is more than just the MAC; it builds the foundation of UTA’s community. It’s the heart of programs, events, clubs, intramural sports, campus spirit groups and some of UTA’s oldest traditions, such as Oozeball and Bed Races.
Muller, who has been with UTA for 27 years, said the programs the department has run are important and have positively impacted students. He said UTA’s long-standing traditions and events help bind the community together across generations.
“We’ve done studies before that students that come to the MAC have a higher grade point average than students that don’t,” Muller said. “We really do believe that a strong body equates to a strong mind, and that equates to academic performance as well.”
The department also has many collaborations to promote student wellness and involvement on campus, a few being with EXCEL Campus Activities and Counseling and Psychological Services. Over the years, they have worked on events such as Maverick Stampede, RecFest and Homecoming week with the annual Homecoming 5K, a golf tournament and the chili cook-off, Muller said.
Sineyda Ortiz, assistant director of fitness, said there are multiple ways for students to engage with free programs while promoting a healthy mindset and lifestyle.
Some of the most frequently used programs are Food for Thought, a class presented by a registered dietician, Mindful Moments Under the Stars at the UTA Planetarium, where students can de-stress and Fresh Check Day, an event that allows students to pause and check in on their overall health every semester.
Information systems senior Jasmine Phor, left, and business analytics senior Shaylan Patel push the bed during Bed Races on March 25 at Maverick Stadium.
Students can also do fitness assessments, used to estimate one’s current fitness level, virtual exercise classes, personal training, or group fitness, including yoga, Zumba, cycling and more.
Even with so many different programs and events, Josh Hale, assistant director of sports programs, said the department tries to frequently implement new things or add onto events to give every student a new experience. Some unique events that UTA has had include goat yoga, massage therapy or pilates classes. The department also offers sound baths, where students can take naps and listen to crystal bowls.
One of the newest implementations the department has worked on is a disc golf course that spans an estimate of 0.8 miles in Doug Russell Park, created with the help of Cale Leiviska, a professional disc golf player and course designer. They are currently working with Apartment and Residence Life to start a “de-stress fest,” which will be similar to a field day that brings students out during the final days of the semester, Hale said.
Kinesiology junior Donté Ross works at the center under the membership desk and helps as an intramural supervisor. He said the department’s mission isn’t oriented toward working out, but rather on student involvement and participation, whether they live on campus or commute.
Ross said the events and traditions help build school spirit, and he encourages students to come to the center and participate in its traditions.
“It just brings a lot of different people from different cultures together, and allows them to participate in a space where they’re all comfortable,” Ross said. “A free space where students can interact with each other and do things they love, whether it’s weightlifting, intramurals or just hanging out.”
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