FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2007

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724-738-2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

Foster wins inaugural James ‘Gym’ McFarland Award

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. − Jason Foster, a Slippery Rock University senior from Smethport majoring in both sport management and marketing, has been awarded the inaugural Dr. James “Gym” McFarland Award. The award honors James “Gym” McFarland, who served SRU from 1974-2001 as professor of parks and recreation, men’s and women’s tennis coach and as the first intramural sports coordinator for campus recreation. McFarland died last year.

            Robert N. Aebersold Student Recreation Center staff created the award as part of its Outstanding Student Employee of the Year honor. The award includes $400 and inclusion of Foster’s name on a plaque mounted near the Welcome Center. Campus recreation team members voted on the nominees. The award was presented at the department’s end-of-semester celebration.

            Foster has been a campus recreation student worker since 2005. He has twice been recognized as a Campus Recreation All Star. For the McFarland award, he was cited for his work with the National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Tournament and his work in early shifts, weekend duty and lock-in rentals.

            My college career and experience would have been entirely different without the activities that campus recreation provided. I feel the most at home and most comfortable when I am at the ARC, working or playing, or on the IM [intramural] softball fields or playing racquetball at the field house. I can’t even begin to express the gratitude I feel toward the professional staff, ARC co-workers and other SRU students for what they have contributed to my campus recreation experience. The one thing I can promise is that after graduation, one of my first purchases will be an ARC membership,” Foster said.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

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