Students Work Out to Win Free Spring Tuition

December 8, 2011

Students at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) have the opportunity to win free tuition for the upcoming spring semester.  The winner will be announced at the Associated Students, Inc.’s Winter Wonderland in front of the Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) on Dec. 8.

To be eligible to enter into the drawing, students must be members of the SRWC and accumulate 30 points in designated categories by Dec. 7.  Students registered at the SRWC front desk between Aug. 29 and Sept. 25.

The purpose of the program was to get members involved and acquainted with every aspect of the SRWC and to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Participants were able to accumulate up to one point a day and 4 points for the whole week. For a total of 12 points, two points must be in each of the following categories: aquatics, fitness, group fitness, intramural sports/open recreation sports, the rock and outdoor adventures, and beach balance.  The remaining 18 points could be acquired by repeating any of the activities in those categories.

Students who accumulated 30 points were automatically entered into the drawing for free spring 2012 tuition.

There was an extra opportunity to be entered into a separate drawing to win a beach cruiser bike.

The winner will be announced Dec. 8 at ASI’s Winter Wonderland.

The SRWC is a 126,500 square feet recreation facility located at the east end of the CSULB campus that provides recreational activities, programs, and opportunites to the students, associates, and affiliates of the university.

Abusement Park Claims Championship Title

December 8, 2011
The intramural men’s 6ft and under league played in the main gym of the Student Recreation& Wellness Center (SRWC) for the Fall 2011 championship title on Wednesday Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

The championship game was between Abusement Park and Bugatti.  Bugatti won the tip-off and scored the first basket of the night. 

The game was close and at 47.3 seconds left in the second half, the score was 55-54 with Bugatti trailing by one point.  Bugatti fouled players in last-ditch efforts to advance the game into overtime, but Abusement Park’s nonverbal communication and fast passing skills prevailed and ended the game with the final score of 58-54.

Playoff games began Nov. 16. On one court, Abusement Park defeated team Scout Team 71-63, and thereafter Bugatti defeated Double Team 49-43.  On a separate court, Larry Hoover defeated NJB 70-54 and Showtime defeated Team Kevin Lee 60-57.

On Nov. 30 during the following week, Abusement Park defeated Showtime 74-47 and Bugatti defeated Larry Hoover 57-45, which led to the championship game on Dec. 7.

The 6ft and under league began on Sept. 28 with two pools of 10 teams.  Pool A consisted of Neighborhood All Stars, Bangerang, Fighting Lions, Team Kevin Lee, Bugatti, NJB, LB Young Guns, Abusement Park, Hoopers, and Free Agents #1.  Pool B was comprised of K-Cru, Them, The Underdog, Recking Crew, Scout Team, Double Team, Showtime, Free Agents #2, Larry Hoover, and Playmakers. 

Registration for spring intramural leagues will be Jan. 23-Feb. 17.

The SRWC is a 126,500 square feet recreation facility located at the east end of the CSULB campus that provides recreational activities, programs, and opportunites to the students, associates, and affiliates of the university.

SRWC Hosts 1st Annual Bench Press Competition

December 7, 2011

The Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) fitness division hosted their first annual bench press competition at California StateUniversity, Long Beach (CSULB) from 3-6 p.m. on Dec.7.

Forty contestants signed up for the competition and 35 competed. Contestants signed up for specific weight classes and were verified when they weighed-in between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Dec.6.

There was one female category and five male categories.  The male categories consisted of weight classes 140 & under, 141-155, 156-170, 171-185, 186-200, and 200 & over.

Contestants were expected to complete a proper bench press and had only three chances to find their maximum weight.  If a contestant made a mistake within his or her first two chances he or she had one last chance to complete the weight. If they failed to complete a lift on their 3^rd chance, their previous completed weight would be recorded.

The contest began at forty pounds, 20 pounds on each side of the bar, and was raised in increments of five pounds.  When a weight was called, activity director Tony Nunez would allow for five seconds to elapse allowing contestants to attempt the weight before moving on to the next higher weight.

The requirements for a proper bench press was feet must be planted on the floor, back, shoulders, and head must remain on the bench during the left.  Contestants must complete the lift by extending your arms completely before putting the weight back on the rack.  Throughout the event there was a spotter to help in case the contestant could not complete the lift and to ensure the safety of the contestant.

Prizes included an ASI reusable tote bag, a SRWC water bottle, a t-shirt, a stick of deoderant, Jelly Belly sport beans, and $10 in U-bucks to use at the CSULB University Student Union. 

Winners!!

Female                        (Weight Completed)

Alicia Lashley                                    (105)

Male                           (Weight Completed)                            [Weight Class]

James Potter                                       (215)                             [140 & under]

Kevin Nguyen                                      (240)                             [141-155]

Sennai Merid                                       (300)                             [156-170]

Jimmy Rellis                                        (280)                             [171-185]

Charles Christman                               (300)                             [186-200]

Cesar Paga                                          (440)                             [201 & over]

The SRWC is a 126,500 square feet recreation facility located at the east end of the CSULB campus that provides recreational activities, programs, and opportunites to the students, associates, and affiliates of the university.

Students Prepare for Finals

December 5, 2011

Beach Balance, a partnership with Student Health Services (SHS), Disabled Student Services (DSS), and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) that focuses on holistic personal well-being, hosted a Getting Pumped Up For Finals Workshop on Tuesday Dec. 5 at the Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) in the Beach Balance office at 6 p.m.

Michael Barraza, CAPS psychologist, used confidence building, positive thinking, and anxiety controlling to maximize performance during finals.  He offered five tips to prepare for the upcoming finals week to the 13 students who attended the workshop.

1.) Visualize- Look at finals as a challenge and not a burden. Visualizing will allow you to see that you can demonstrate what you have learned throughout the semester rather than test your knowledge can prevent you from setting yourself up for failure.

2.) Eat Well- Eat something you are familiar with and know will digest comfortably. Barraza suggests not trying new foods that might upset your stomach and distract you during the final.

3.) Visit the Learning Assistance Center (LAC)- Visit the LAC in the Horn Center if you are at a loss for how to study or what to study, they may be able to offer great assistance.

4.) Study in Groups- Find different study habits that work for you and learning in a group may make the final seem less stressful and scary.

5.) Visit Professor’s Office Hours- It is never too late to visit the professor’s office hours, and if you are busy or uncomfortable with talking with your professor try e-mailing your question.

Barraza also demonstrated a controlled breathing exercise: “Rate your level of stress on a scale of 1-10 and keep it in your head.” With one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest and engage your diaphragm: inhale for 3 seconds, exhale for 3 seconds (about 6 times or until you feel more relaxed).  When you are done, evaluate your stress level again to see if there is improvement. “When you are relaxed, you see more choices, and in turn make better choices,” Barraza explained.

Other workshops Barraza has facilitated through Beach Balance are Get a Good Night’s Sleep and Stress & Relaxation Skills.

Barraza has worked at CSULB for two and half years where he has worked with community mental help, hospitals, and students. Currently Barraza is a psychologist at the CAPS office. Barraza is an alumnus of CSULB where he received his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies.  He continued his education at the California School of Psychology where he received his master’s degree and doctorate in clinical psychology.

The SRWC is a 126,500 square feet recreation facility located at the east end of the CSULB campus that provides recreational activities, programs, and opportunites to the students, associates, and affiliates of the university.

Juwanna Man Take Championship Title

December 1, 2011

Juwanna Man and On Fire, women’s intramural basketball teams, competed for the championship title on Thursday Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Main Gym at the Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC).

The championship game consisted of two 20 minute halves. Juwanna Man led the game by one point at the end of the first half 17-16. In the second halfOn Fire gained another 21 points, but could not catch up with Juwanna Man’s additional 27 points. Juwanna Man defeated On Fire 44-37 and claimed their second consecutive title.

Among the 50 in attendance, including players, spectators watched as their family members and friends competed for the same title. From a spectator’s perspective, “Juwanna Man had really good shooters and took advantage of the turnovers,” John Rivera commented.

The women’s basketball league began Thursday, Sept. 29 and played every Thursday from 6-11 p.m. until Nov. 10. From there, the top four teams advanced to the playoff games held on Nov. 17.  Of those four teams, the two winners faced each other in the championship game.

The eight women’s teams that participated in the Fall 2011 Women’s Basketball League are as follows: On Fire, Lightning Lightning, Free Agents #1, Snow White & 7 Dwarfs, Juwanna Man, Free Agents #2, Love & Basketball, and Harajuku Barbies.

Only four went on to the playoffs: On Fire, Free Agents #1, Juwanna Man, and Snow White & 7 Dwarfs.  On Fire defeated Free Agents #1 and Juwanna Man defeated Snow White & 7 Dwarfs in the playoff games on Nov. 17.

To participate in the women’s basketball league, SRWC members formed teams, signed up by Sept. 22 at 2 p.m., and paid the $100 intramural fee. The minimum requirement for a basketball team at the SRWC is four and the maximum is 15.  Individuals who did not have a team but still wanted to play were free agents and were either placed on a team that needed more players or on a separate team with other free agents.  

The SRWC is a 126,500 square feet recreation facility located at the east end of the CSULB campus that provides recreational activities, programs, and opportunites to the students, associates, and affiliates of the university.

Students Sweat to Honor Veterans

November 12, 2011

In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) hosted “Sweat for a Vet” on Saturday, Nov. 12 for the first time in the Farber Fitness room of the new facility. 

“Sweat for a Vet” was created by Ayla Donlin, CSULB kinesiology lecturer and SRWC spin class instructor, to raise money to buy fitness equipment for disabled veterans.  In May 2010 the first “Sweat for a Vet” event was held at Frog’s Fitness Center, and in November 2010 it became a national event.

The three-hour spinning event was sponsored by Project VisAbility, an organization that provides fitness resources for disabled veterans, and was promoted by the CSULB Fitness Majors Association. CSULB participants began at 6:30 a.m. and concluded at 9:30 a.m. Local and international fitness facilities participated in “Sweat for a Vet” simultaneously by watching a live web video link.

Donlin instructed via live web video link from the Tysons Sport and Health Club in Virginia while CSULB spin instructors helped motivate and coach cyclists at the SRWC when technical difficulties occurred.

Raffle tickets were given to each participant and prizes including SRWC water bottles, Nike gym bags, and “Sweat for a Vet” t-shirts were. 

Fifty-two community members participated in “Sweat for a Vet” and raised $1,152. The SRWC will use a portion of the funds to purchase a krank cycle, a cycle accessible for someone in a wheelchair, and the remaining amount of donations will be contributed to the national campaign promoting fitness for disabled veterans.

The SRWC is a 126,500 square feet recreation facility located at the east end of the CSULB campus that provides recreational activities, programs, and opportunites to the students, associates, and affiliates of the university.