Photo Credit: Sarah Underwood
By: Sarah Underwood
Milligan students are taking advantage of the new rentals at the Gilliam Wellness Center. Chris Webb, coordinator of wellness and recreation activities at Milligan, made the announcement one week ago and said the center has already rented out two basketballs, camping gear and one football.
The new rental service allows students access to a wide range of sports and camping equipment (basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, footballs, Frisbees, tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves and tarps) without putting a hole in their wallets. It also gives students more opportunities to enjoy activities outside the gym.
The idea for the new rentals started with some budget planning by the Wellness Center. Ryan Reynolds, head tennis coach and intramurals coordinator, and Mark Fox, vice president for student development and sports development, combined their budgets to “give students options” according to Webb.
The Wellness Center’s effort toward student wellness has not gone unnoticed. Dr. Curtis Booher, assistant professor of Christian ministries whose daughter often uses the Wellness Center’s resources, thinks the new rentals are a good way to “help get students active without dictating use of the wellness center.” Booher commended Webb, Reynolds and Fox on their decision to spend the budget on rental equipment, saying that this cause is “worthy of budgetary monies.”
He went further to say that he “hopes students will take advantage of it.”
And take advantage of it they have.
Haley Wolfe, a Milligan freshman majoring in exercise science, plans on using the new resources. Not only is she excited that it is free, but she is also excited about the new and different opportunities to exercise.
“If the weather’s nice and I wanted to go camping, I would definitely go to the Wellness Center and rent some of their gear,” Wolfe said. “It gives everyone an opportunity to see part of nature.”
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