Points of Pride!
Impact on the GPA
A four-year study of the impact of the Sanderson Center on the GPA and retention of freshmen found that those who use the Sanderson Center periodically (one to five times a week) have significantly higher GPA’s (2.84) than non-users (2.61) and are 15% more likely to persist to graduation.
Named Outstanding Recreation Facility 2000, 01 by NIRSA
The Joe Frank Sanderson Center was named an “Outstanding Recreation Facility” by the National Intramural/Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) in 2000. The RecPlex was named an “Outstanding Recreation Facility” by NIRSA in 2001.
Outdoor Adventures
Our newest program began in the spring of 2005. Outdoor Adventures offers trips and clinics for a variety of outdoor-related skills, and sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, and other outdoor gear are available to rent. In the fall of 2005, Outdoor Adventures hosted clinics in rock climbing, canoeing, wilderness first aid, backpacking, and orienteering, and took students on trips to the caves of Kentucky and mountain biking in Alabama.
Club Sports program grew 200% (2004-06)
Our Club Sports program grew from 8 clubs in 2004 to 24 clubs in 2006 (an increase of 200%). Club Sports has over 25 active clubs for recreational and competitive activities.
Big Dawg Challenge Course and Bulldog Disc Golf Course
In 2005, the Department of Recreational Sports began management of two new facilities - the Big Dawg Challenge Course, a 9-element ropes course, and the Bulldog Disc Golf Course, an 18-hole course designed by members of the Disc Dawgs sport club. The Big Dawg Challenge Course has several low ropes elements and a repelling tower.
Level-II workout space opens in Summer 2006
This summer, we will open Level II, an additional 3,300 SF workout space on the second floor of the Sanderson Center offering 18 additional pieces of strength and cardio training equipment.
Largest Collegiate Cricket Tournament ever held in the United States
In July 2005, the MSU Cricket Club hosted the largest collegiate cricket tournament ever held in the United States, the Bulldawg Championship, at The RecPlex.
MSU Student Intramural Sports Officials
In the fall of 2005, 10 MSU student intramural sports officials participated in extramural tournaments held at UAB, MTSU, West Florida, Nebraska, USM, and Ohio State. Over fifty MSU students participated in extramural tournaments at West Florida, USM, and UAB.
Sanderson Center named Best Fitness Center by Mississippi Magazine
In the July/August 2007 edition of Mississippi Magazine, the Joe Frank Sanderson Center was named the Best Fitness Center in the state. For more information, check http://www.mismag.com/BestofMS07.pdf
