Let’s say you wanted to be the next Patches O’Houlihan. Where would you go? Say you wanted to shoot free throws like Shaq never could. Where would you go then?
The Young Men’s Christian Association—also the YMCA or plain “Y”—is yet another commonplace for Sun Devils. The facility has the works—weights, machines, a pool and a basketball court. What it also has and above all, is a sense of unity; the YMCA brings together the Arizona State student body whether it be intramural sports or the daily workout.
“ASU is expanding,” says Will Hirachita, the Membership Director in the Downtown area. “We’re here. Why not use the Y as a rec center? We help make it happen and facilitate it.”
There is a YMCA currently in the Downtown Phoenix and also in the Tempe area. The Polytechnic and West Campus still have their own recreational facilities but according to Executive Director Lance Gray, “they are in the discovery stage.” The Downtown Phoenix facility requires only a Sun Card for membership while the Tempe location charges monthly at a discounted student rate.
With a partnership through Arizona State University, it allows students to bond and in a healthy way. Offered intramurals include: floor hockey, bowling, football, volleyball, capture the flag, basketball and glow in the dark dodgeball. There will also be the opportunity to run a half marathon, a 5K walk/ run.
Matches made in heaven: peanut butter and jelly, steak and potatoes and now, the YMCA and Arizona State. The facilities on campus allow for a healthy lifestyle and to ultimately kick the freshman fifteen. But you can also kick it with a few pals in the meantime.
“We see an influx of students coming to the Y,” says Hirachita says. “We even expanded our hours (Downtown Phoenix) for ASU students. We want to serve whoever walks in.”
So what does this mean for ASU students? There is a facility for the athletes who are not NCAA bound, there is a weight room for everyone seeking a healthy lifestyle and there is always someone new at the door. The YMCA covers the needs for the general student body.
“Student involvement is definitely bigger because of the campus. Year after year there are more students. Students always come over in packs,” Gray says.
Intramural sheets are at the front desk of each facility. Moreover, to promote campus camaraderie, all intermural sports involve all campuses. For example, a Phoenix team might dook it out against some Tempe players.
Opportunity strikes for the Sun Devils looking for physical and social development. The only thing left to do is…
“Bring your sneakers and your Sun Card!” Hirachita says.
