Greetings from the Director:
It has been an amazing 4 1/2 years since we opened the expanded and renovated CoRec. We are serving more students and faculty/staff than ever before. The CoRec has become one of the primary and most energetic facilities for students to gather and connect. The facilities are among the top in the country and are vital to supporting student success on campus.
Everything that we have become today is built on the strong foundation laid by the past students and staff of our facility. We are excited about what the future holds as we look for new ways to inspire the campus through recreation, wellness and exercise.
Move More, Achieve More
Howard Taylor, Director of Purdue Recreation & Wellness
Meet Charlie Waterhouse
Senior in Purdue Aerospace Engineering, Intramural Sports Head Supervisor & Head Soccer Official
On his experiences working at the CoRec:
"By working at the CoRec, I've learned: To lead by teaching others. I have been head soccer official and am currently a head supervisor. I have been responsible for training soccer officials and helping them grow and develop their skill sets. I now assist with program management, staff development, leadership and office administration."
"My favorite memory was winning the outdoor soccer championships with a team of officials. Another memory I have is getting home after a head supervisor shift and realizing I still had the CoRec’s walkie talkie still clipped on my pants."
LAUNCHING IN 2018: Space Clutter Project....This semester, Charlie is leading a team of student engineers as the student project manager for the Aerodynamic Deorbit Experiment (ADE) which has been selected to go into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket in 2018. This experiment seeks to demonstrate how technology can reduce “space clutter,” a collection of debris and defunct satellites which are accumulating in orbit around the Earth and is a serious concern for future space exploration.
LIFE AFTER PURDUE: Charlie is a licensed pilot, but when asked if he wants to be a pilot after graduating he said, “I think it’s good to have the knowledge of flying, but I don’t want to be a pilot. I want to be an aircraft engineer. The comparison I always make is it’s like a chef developing cooking tools. If you are a chef, then you’ll know exactly what kind of tools a chef would want in their kitchen. Likewise, if you’re a pilot, you’ll have a better idea of what a pilot would want in an aircraft. So, a pilot’s license gives me the perspective and insight of a pilot, which will help me as an engineer designing aircraft.”
We've changed our name to Recreation & Wellness!
Student Wellness (previously at PUSH) joined the CoRec in July 2015 and it has been great to have them as part of our team. We collaborated with this office for many years and adding Wellness to our name more accurately reflects the services we offer to students.
However, we all know that the new name won't change what we've affectionately been called for more than 50 years. We were, are, and always will be called "The CoRec!"
For more information about Purdue Recreation and Wellness, visit purdue.edu/recwell
Alumni High Five!
- Amanda Elmore: She never rowed before joining the Purdue Crew team. However, through her hard work and perseverance, West Lafayette native, Amanda Elmore, became the first Purdue alumna to win an Olympic gold medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics. “Purdue taught me a lot of the values that I've been using throughout my whole rowing career. How to work hard, how to work with a team, and how to communicate. Purdue taught me never to set any limits on myself,” Elmore said before a reception in her honor at the Purdue Boathouse in September. Congratulations to Amanda and her accomplishments!
- Dustyn Waite: Dustyn is a former Member Services employee who graduated in 2010 with a degree in Liberal Arts. He now works as a Studio Researcher for FOX Sports & FS1’s TV programming. He primary works with The Herd with Colin Cowherd gathering stats and information to add substance to what Colin is saying during his shows. Dustyn also works with FOX’s NFL Pregame show strengthening the on air talent’s perspectives and providing stats that encourage “good football conversation.” Dustyn’s talents got him to the Super Bowl this year and provided him the opportunity to work with the team covering the game.
- Katie Hake: While at Purdue, Katie was studying Dietetics and Nutrition and working as a GroupX instructor and Personal Trainer. Since graduating in 2015, Katie has become a registered dietitian and a Master Trainer for BeachBodyTM LIVE. She has eight other certifications related to fitness and she, along with fellow GroupX alumni Lauren Wrighton, created an iTunes podcast called Fit Friends Happy Hour where they provide inspiring health and fitness tips.
- Daniel Lestinsky: Mr. Lestinsky is a former intramural sports supervisor and official who graduated in 2008 with his Bachelors in Social Studies education. He is currently a social studies teacher at Carroll Middle School in Fort Wayne, IN where he also coaches football. Dan was nominated for an Alumni High Five by his former coworkers because he was awarded The 2016 Northwest Allen County teacher of the Year. Way to go Dan!
- NOMINATE A RECWELL ALUM FOR A "HIGH FIVE" IN THE NEXT COREC CONNECTIONS: Email Brian Smith at smithbm@purdue.edu with the accomplishment(s) and contact information of your nominee. We know more alumni are doing great things and we’d love to give them a High Five!
NORTHWEST FIELDS PROJECT
We are in the midst of a major field project located at the corner of Cherry Lane and McCormick Road. The Northwest Fields will be home to 9 of our Club Sports and will also be available for reservations. Lights, drainage, irrigation, bathrooms, and much more are a part of this project. We are excited to take this step and move our Club Sports to a premier field facility.
FACILITIES UPDATES:
If you have not visited us in the past 4 1/2 years, you certainly wouldn't recognize the place! We are so lucky to have one of the most comprehensive collegiate rec centers in the country. Let's be serious–it is the best! The Purdue community can now climb a wall, take swim lessons in a recreation pool, learn how to cook in our demonstration kitchen, play soccer on an indoor turf, workout in a multitude of fitness spaces that contain more than 240 pieces of cardiovascular equipment and approximately 500 strength stations.
Recent updates to our facilities have included:
- Increased Olympic Lifting Platforms from 4 to 8
- Increased Squat Racks from 7 to 16
- Added lights to Pickett Park Volleyball Courts and Orchard Field (north section of Gold Fields)
- Currently in the process of improving the grading of the Gold Fields and installing in-ground irrigation
ALL TOGETHER–on April 26th for Purdue Day of Giving
Remember the CoRec! Please help us continue to support student well-being at Purdue. Choose how your gift helps:
- Student Success Fund. This fund will help our student employees in various ways; professional development, certifications, and other financial needs.
- RecWell General Fund. We will be sure to put your gift to good use to help thousands of Purdue students stay active and well.
- Club Sports General Fund. This fund will help all 31 of our clubs financially. A major project on the horizon is our Northwest Field Project. Equipment such as bleachers and scoreboards are a definite need.
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