UT RecSports

44 years of service. Countless student lives shaped. One legendary Longhorn. 🤘

Join us in celebrating former Intramural Sports Director Bob Childress, who was recently awarded the 2026 Arno Nowotny Medal. This prestigious award recognizes retired Division of Student Affairs staff who have rendered exceptional, meritorious service to students and the University.

From creating the nation’s longest-running campus recreation student survey to helping establish a student employee scholarship program, Bob’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of RecSports.

Read more about his inspiring legacy in our latest blog post: https://bit.ly/3RTCMPz

Celebrating the Team RecSports Class of 2026! 🎓🤘

We are so proud of our 127 Team RecSports graduates and the incredible impact they’ve made during their time on the Forty Acres. From leading adventure trips to keeping our facilities running smoothly, these student leaders have truly embodied what it means to be a Longhorn.

In our latest blog, we spotlight 11 of our seniors from across the department as they reflect on their journeys and share what’s next for them. Meet these soon-to-be Texas Exes here: https://utrecsports.medium.com/team-recsports-class-of-2026-spotlights-022b8b05f0ce

It’s no secret that our people are the heart of everything we do. This year, we’re highlighting six incredible staff members who were honored with awards from across the Forty Acres, including the President’s Office and the Division of Student Affairs!

We couldn’t be prouder of how these individuals represent RecSports every single day. 🤘

Pictured from left to right:

Kennedy Grigsby, Sr. Administrative Human Resources Associate
2026 President’s Exemplary Service Award

Ryan Becerra, Sr. Software Developer/Analyst
2026 Outstanding Staff Award

Cecilia Lopez Cardenas, Associate Director - Communications
2025–26 Texas Parents Staff Merit Award

Three of our team members were also honored with the 2026 President’s Staff Service Award:
- Rhonda Cox, Sr. Assistant Director - Membership and Guest Services (25 years)
- E.J. Patterson, Associate Director - Facilities (20 years)
- Manny Torrez, Maintenance Worker II (20 years)

Read about these award winners in our latest blog: https://bit.ly/4cQqzDz

Our student employees are the heartbeat of RecSports, and this year, we’re celebrating 18 exceptional individuals who received RecSports scholarships in recognition of their work. These student leaders, who represent almost all areas of the department, make everything we do possible.

We are also incredibly grateful to our donors. Thanks to your generosity, we awarded $64,000 in scholarships this year! 🤘

The 2026 recipients are:
- Aaditya Krishna
- Ana Martinez
- Brady Grennier
- Bridgette Marné Bordeaux
- Cameron Pratt
- Christian Torrez
- Chyloe Vargas-Booth
- Corrie Lise Jarrett
- Dom Martinez
- Emma Hunt
- Jocelyn Lee
- Kelly Tang
- Lilly Ojeda
- Rachel Cottrell
- Sarah Johnson
- Tanvi Agrawal
- Taylor Johnson
- Zoe Fisher

Read more about each of our recipients in our latest blog: https://medium.com//meet-the-2026-recsports-student-employee-scholarship-recipients-938abd99962e

Excellence in action. 👏 Help us congratulate our four finalists for the 2026 President’s Student Employee of the Year award!

We’re so lucky to have Christy, Kaleb, Rachel, and Zoe on our team. Check out the full story on their contributions: https://bit.ly/4tSLc7K

We're proud to be the featured campus rec department in the latest edition of Campus Rec Magazine!

Read the story and get the scoop on how we continue to innovate to enhance the participant experience at Texas. We're so grateful for every member of Team RecSports who makes it all possible. 🤘

Good news — the March/April 2026 issue of Campus Rec Magazine is here!

In this edition's cover story, discover what makes Recreational Sports (RecSports) at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) truly remarkable — it's dedicated team, century-long intramural history and creative revenue streams. With seven recreation facilities amounting to over 400,000 square feet and 40 acres of outdoor recreation space, the physical attributes of RecSports are impressive — but the people truly make up the heart of the department.

Plus, don't miss the rest of the content from this issue:
➡️ A Q&A with Bryan Haunert from Illinois State University.
➡️ Campus rec staffing strategies to help build teams that last.
➡️ How departments are structuring fitness certification training models.
➡️ A look into the education for the 2026 Campus Rec Leadership Summit.
➡️ How UMass Boston's ice-skating program turned into a campus rec staple.
➡️ And more on facility development, operations, leadership and staff development.

Check out the full issue now: https://hubs.la/Q0462-f90

Calling all Austin-area alumni! 🤘

Join us for the inaugural Friends of RecSports Pickleball Open.

It's all happening on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Whitaker Courts. Limited spots are available, so grab a teammate and secure yours!

Find all the event details here:

Friends of RecSports Pickleball Open Join us in Austin for this inaugural alumni and friends pickleball tournament!

Advancing the well-being of Longhorns is at the core of everything we do, and we invite you to join us on this journey as a RecSports Champion.

Your monthly gift, no matter the size, allows us to transform spaces, expand existing programs and events, and innovate new ways to play and move.

Learn more about becoming a RecSports Champion at utrecsports.org/champions.

Every year, The President’s Staff Awards formally recognize contributions of staff at The University of Texas at Austin. This year three members of the RecSports staff were recognized in the Staff Service Awards category and one staff member was honored as one of thirty Outstanding Staff Award recipients.

Join us in congratulating Travis Hilterbran, Sylvia Ramirez, Ross Rodriguez, and Jennifer Speer for their much-deserved recognition! 🤘

RecSports Staff Recognized with President’s Staff Awards Every year, The President’s Staff Awards formally recognize contributions of staff at The University of Texas at Austin. This year three…

There are few places that bring people together from across the Forty Acres like RecSports does! For Valentine’s Day, we asked you to share stories of the connections you’ve made through RecSports. From best friends to workout buddies, from teammates to life partners, we heard awesome stories about the people who make this campus feel a bit more like home for you.

In our most recent blog, we highlight five stories of marriages, friendships, and even summer love.

Your RecSports Story: Valentine’s Day As a part of campus life, RecSports has undoubtedly brought people together in countless ways. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we asked…

Met your bestie or found love at RecSports? Or maybe even met your favorite workout buddy? We want to hear your story! Drop a comment below for a chance to be featured on Valentine's Day.

Congratulations to the RecSports Hall of Honor 2023 Inductee Class!

Each year, we recognize individuals and groups who have had a significant impact on RecSports throughout its long history. Among this year's honorees are individuals and teams with outstanding accomplishments in intramural sports, former RecSports employees, and adventure trip guides who have led trips for the program for over 30 years.

This year's honorees include:
- Cande Mejia
- Celeste Hamman
- Daniel Rincones
- Jackie Boston
- Mark Baletka
- Meta Talley
- Pat Goodson and Jill Harding Goodson
- Pelicans
- Thumpers
- Tommy Upchurch

Meet each of the honorees and learn more about their impact on RecSports in our latest blog:

Meet the 2023 RecSports Hall of Honor Inductees Established in 2017 as part of the department’s Centennial Celebration, the RecSports Hall of Honor recognizes influential alumni, staff…