Alumni Updates
Main Content
2012 Alums
Brianna Goen, 2012
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Management CSA
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Finding Baxter the cat just chilling in the ARC. And the numerous bar crawls and classy parties :)
What's new with you?
Moving to Chicago for UIC Pharmacy School in the fall!
2011 Alums
Samantha Mager, 2011
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Worked as an FA and CSA
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Hmmmm ... Well, when the eliptical machine lit on fire spontaneously that was a pretty good one. Also, I loved reading the "comment on crec" blog and the alumni updates. The barcrawls and christmas parties were a blast, plus all the people I worked with made it pretty awesome too!
What's new with you?
Starting a new job in a few weeks in the Chicago area where I will be in the Quality dept. of a pie manufacturer (I'll think of Ethan everytime I'm eating all the delicious pies =))
2010 Alums
Elizabeth Bennetts, 2010
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee - lifeguard / head lifeguard
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Lifeguarding all summer at the outdoor pool!
What's new with you?
I still work in Aquatics! I am a graduate assistant to the Aquatics Coordinator at UIC where I am a Masters in Public Health candidate.
Emily Divan, 2010
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The occasional number I was offered during hockey game intermissions. I never took one, but I was quite flattered.
What's new with you?
Not a whole lot really, just looking for a job up here in the suburbs!
Jordan Norville, 2010
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working at the Ice Arena.
What's new with you?
Internship in Boston right now at Longwood Cricket Club. I work on the groundscrew.
Kevin Shotas, 2010
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
C.R.I.A.A.C.
Katie Waskevich, 2010
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What's new with you?
I start work at Accenture on August 2, 2010.
2009 Alums
Sarah Blatti, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Intramurals (SA, Club Sport/Field Supervisor, PA, Student Director)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working with IM coworkers, getting to know the professional staff.
What's new with you?
Physical Therapy school at Midwestern University.
Natalie Carino, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Communication Intern
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
All the awesome people.
What's new with you?
Traveling, looking for a job.
Adam Jackson, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Management (Team Leader, Customer Service Assistant, Student Director, Facility Manager, Program Assistant). Worked as General Staff at the Ice Arena. Helped out with Adventure Rec over a break period.
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I used to really enjoy the end of the year campus rec picnic. The staff was very close knit back then, and a group that I looked up to very much. I also really enjoyed the staff olympics this year - it was a lot of fun and great to see all of the energy and enthusiasm.
What's new with you?
Work for the Transaction Services Group at KPMG in Chicago.
Paula H. Johannesen, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working hockey games
What's new with you?
Auditioning for orchestras and performing groups on violin.
John Joya, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee (Zamboni Driver) and intramural champion (crucial member of the 2009 ice hockey squad known as the dbagrs)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Zamming my first hockey game.
What's new with you?
Nothing really. Trying to find a job.
Noel Kite, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Wellness
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Blueprints
What's new with you?
Chiropractic school.
Alyssa Madsen, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena (Instructor and LTS Coordinator)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Ice shows and competitions.
What's new with you?
Grad school here at U of I - Speech Pathology.
Lynn Mueller, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena (General Staff)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Socializing with coworkers after hockey games.
What's new with you?
Returning home to Korea to work.
Stephanie L. Murphy, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working hockey games and public skates.
What's new with you?
Just trying to find a job!
Kati Oakes, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena (FA and CSA), Marketing Intern, worked as FA in CRCE/IMPE for a summer
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Meeting Oscee, and all the other great employees. Campus Rec has really taught me some great lessons in life and I think has really prepared me for the real world. It has been a pleasure to work for Campus Rec my four years at U of I.
What's new with you?
Trying to find a job in an advertising agency or in sports marketing.
Jennifer O'Connell, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
FM and Personal Trainer
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Meeting and getting to know everyone and working at the ARC when it just opened.
What's new with you?
Midwestern University Physical Therapy
Tim Olson, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Lifeguard, Ice Arena staff (Facility Assistant and Zamboni)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The banquet.
What's new with you?
Grad school here at U of I.
Rachel Palkoner, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Management (FA, CSA, FM, PA)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
All of it.
What's new with you?
Teach for America - Baltimore.
Maggie Phillips, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Coaching LTS and working the ice shows the first couple of years of my employment.
What's new with you?
Dancing and choreographing in St. Louis, giving the skates a break for awhile ...
Kimberly Redeker, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Group Fitness
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Senior Recognition Night
What's new with you?
After graduation I will be attending a 2 week study abroad in Curacao. Afterward, I will be working full time with Verizon Wireless in sales for the summer, and teaching group fitness classes with Campus Rec. Eventually, I am looking for a job in either online sales and operations/related field, or possibly gym management/personal training.
Ryan Richards, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Intramural Official and FM
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Watching a couple of kids get in a fist fight over a broomball game.
What's new with you?
Working on the Family Farm in Cholchester, IL.
Ashley Rodriguez, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Intern
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Retreat, cookout, Olympics, learning from/working with Tony and Heather.
What's new with you?
Grad school. It has been a wonderful ride and I can't wait to stick around next year.
Quinton Scott, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Personal Training
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Facilities.
What's new with you?
Grad school.
Kelly Siegel, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Aquatics (Lifeguard, LTS Instructor, LTS Coordinator)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The start of each swim lesson sessions. Seeing all the old and new faces.
Ryan Stack, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena (Facility Assistant and Instructor)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Commroderie between all employees at the Ice Arena.
What's new with you?
Find a job in Illinois.
Eric Steckling, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Intramurals (Official and FM)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Fun times with coworkers, overnights to regional championships.
What's new with you?
Grad school here at U of I.
Kelsey Thelander, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Lifeguard, Headguard
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working over the summer because I got to know all of the staff really well.
What's new with you?
Working in a hospital while applying for PA school.
Liz Vales, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Aquatics (Swim Instructor), Ice Arena (Concessions, Cashier, Ice Monitor), Facility Management (Student Director/Facility Manager)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The people I worked with, friends I made (ARC grand opening!!)
What's new with you?
Working for a consulting/investment firm - Mercer as a consulting analyst in downtown Chicago.
Caitlin Vitosky, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena, CRCE/ARC (TL, CSA, SD), Fields staff, Secretary at STRATA
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Too many.
What's new with you?
Grad school here at U of I.
Andrew White, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Aquatics Lifeguard, Ice Arena (FA, Zamboni, CSA, EM)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Time I spent with coworkers. I met some of my closest friends through the Ice Arena.
What's new with you?
In the process of testing with the U of I police department.
Amanda Wind, 2009
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Having fun with co-workers on and off the clock.
What's new with you?
I don't have a job yet so there is nothing new to report.
2008 Alums
Renee Anderson, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL and CSA
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Making a ton of great friends!
Julien Baburka, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
CSA, Facility Manager, Student Director
Elizabeth Bauer, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
CSA
Mrugesh Bavda, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Manager
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
FM meetings at El Toro.
Jaleigh Brill, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena Employee, CSA, etc
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I loved working the hockey games, especially my freshman and sophomore year when the building was so full that the downstairs were two to three people thick.
What's new with you?
I'm working at home for the summer. I have a job and an apartment in Paxton for the fall where I will be teaching third grade special education.
Dawn Cedeklund, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Management, CSA/TL
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Meeting my fiancé and Tuesday closing shifts, Spring 2008.
Brant Davis, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL, CSA, SD
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Reunion, FM crawls, Monday 8-4 shifts and IMPE with Liz, Megan and Steve.
Megan Delaney, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Program Assistant and Facility Manager for IMs
Lina Dovilas, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What's new with you?
I'm staying at UIUC for Master's in Food Science.
Megan Downey, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL and CSA
Nicole DuBois, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Learn to Skate coordinator at the Ice Arena
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Many
Carrie Flott, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL, CSA, FM
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Too many to pick one
Laman Francis, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL, CSA
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
End of the year picnic 2007
Jared Hegberg, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Bill Zeman
What's new with you?
I'm going to Law School at the University of Georgia, in Athens, GA.
Christopher Hobson, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL, FA
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I have too many to write, but I have enjoyed all of the people that I met over the years.
Jeanne Huguelet, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Student Director, CSA, TL
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Passing out valentines to patrons on Valentine’s Day.
Adam Jackson, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL, CSA, General Staff, Facilities Manager, and SD
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Pranking Johnny Nunez on the phone and pranking Bob Campbell.
William Jones, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Team Leader and CSA
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The varnish smell at IMPE.
Edward Kelley, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Personal trainer and Corporate Sales Rep
Erin Kelley, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL, CSA, Facility Manager
Jeff Korande, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
All, except Aquatics and Intramurals
Andrew Leonard, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
EM, GA at Ice Arena
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working at ice rink.
Elena Madaj, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena Employee
What's new with you?
Attending graduate school at University of Indianapolis for forensic anthropology.
Colleen McGuire, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Lifeguard
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Friends I made while working.
Joann Merritello, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Manager
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Tuesday night shift at CRCE, FM meetings
Anthony Murphy, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
CSA, instruction, general staff
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Retreat
Marty Norris, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Staff Assistant and club supervisor
Leah Okner, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
GA, Strength and Conditioning
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Teaching (attempting to teach) and belly dancing.
Ellen Picklesimer, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
TL, CSA, PA in Intramurals
Lance Rabemort, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Official, Intramural FM
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working with the other employees.
Lauren Raman, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Instructor
Rick Ramas, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
IM, FM
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Just working with the people I did. They’re great!
Jonathan Reinche, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Zamboni driver, EM
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Meeting Kevin Shotas.
Rene Ruzicka, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena Employee
What's new with you?
Moving to Chicago this fall and starting as a grad student at Rush University for Speech Language Pathology.
Kevin Shinsako, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Head Lifeguard
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Making connections on shifts and spending time together with co-workers during events.
Christa Unangst, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
CSA
Danielle Urban, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Lifeguard
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Guard Wars 2007, summer 2007, and many memories
Christina Wallace, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Manager for Facility Management
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
There are so many that I honestly cannot choose one. Lots of laughs.
Jared Wallen, 2008
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
ASC, Head Guard, Lifeguard
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Meeting a ton of great people and learning from the great professional staff
2007 Alums
Mike Kaplan, 2007
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena (Monitor, Head Monitor, Zam Driver); Old CRCE/IMPE (CSA, FM); New CRCE/Old IMPE (CSA, Student Director, Facility Manager)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Closing Old CRCE for the last time ... and the 2007 Campus Rec Retreat
What's new with you?
I’m working as a Fitness and Sports Manager (soon to be Director) for the United States Air Force. I’m currently at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, with prospects to be moving elsewhere within 2 years!
2006 Alums
Lindsay Allen, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Management Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Learning to play Four-Square at work
What's new with you?
Working with Fisher Scientific in the Chicago suburbs.
Kyle Benefield, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working with all the great people
What's new with you?
Moving to Mexico
Carina Chen, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena Instructor
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Annual Spring Showcase at the Ice Arena
Eric Golden, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Student Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
William Ellis
What's new with you?
Hitting up the real world in Naperville working for the man (Liberty Mutual) having to be the bad guy (claims specialist)
Kristi Hanlon, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee, Intramural participant
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working with all the Campus Rec employees – I will miss everyone soooo much!
What's new with you?
I'm working as a Special Education Teacher in the Chicago area.
Sarah Jacobson, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Student Director
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
It's hard to pick just one!
What's new with you?
Working on my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
Kim Kirzow, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee – Personal Trainer
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Having my client be able to play with his children again.
What's new with you?
Working with the Atlantic Club in NJ and getting married in Sept. 2007; top sales and session performer at Atlantic Club; a trainer on the soon-to-be-aired "In the Works with Lifetime."
Alison Koch, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Management (CSA/TL)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Only girls on a shift, so had to check guys locker room and ran into a very self-confident older gentleman that had no problem talking to me while sporting full frontal nudity!
Erin Miller, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee, Facility Management (Rep, TL, CSA)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
After 4 years, there are so many! I met some of my closest friends by working at Campus Rec!
What's new with you?
Working on my Master's degree in Political Studies at UIS.
Kim (Kirzow) Moye, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Personal Trainer
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Using fitness to transform lives.
What's new with you?
Got married Sept 7th, 2007. Opened and incorporated my own business "Kim's Optimum Performance Inc." One-on-One Personal Training Studio Oct 2007.
Rie Ozeki, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Fanny packs!
What's new with you?
Living in Chicago.
Erin Sand, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Facility Management (Rep, TL, CSA, FA, Student Director)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Harold
What's new with you?
Working on my Master's degree in the School of Psychology at National-Louis University.
Marina Sarychev, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee – Co-LTS Coordinator at Ice Arena, Instructor
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Planning and performing in the 2006 Spring Showcase.
Brian Schneider, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Riding the Zamboni during my last hockey game.
What's new with you?
Working in Chicago.
Tim Slazinik, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Student Director, CSA, TL
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working with Erin Miller and Bethanie Skinner at the old IMPE. And, of course, all the 7am SD meetings.
Christa Stiening, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Intramural Sports Staff Assistant/Club Sport Supervisor
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Cook outs at Charles' house.
Leslie Sutton, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Bobbi Hein Intern
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Nick Bennett's mock survey that asked "How many shoes does Heather Horn own?"
What's new with you?
Graduate School
Casey Tester, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Intramural staff/program assistant, participant, and champion
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
There are too many to name . . . Intramurals rocks!
What's new with you?
Teaching freshman English at my old high school. I'm very excited.
Scott Thompson, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Student Director and Intramural Supervisor
What's new with you?
Working at Shell Chemical in New Orleans.
Julie VeSota, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
ActiveLEAD/facility management employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Climbing Wall in Allerton.
What's new with you?
Attending grad school at the U. of I. for Speech and Hearing Science.
Emily Waddington, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Intramural Staff and Program Assistant
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Staff Meetings!
What's new with you?
Living in Peoria and working for Caterpillar.
Elizabeth Watt, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Student employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Freshmen year with all "the boys" – Schnake, Nagele, Sam, Peterson
Stacey Wichman, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee, Intramural champion, Women's Club Water Polo captain
What's new with you?
Attending UIC's Medical School, but will finish last 3 years of Medical School in Peoria.
Stephanie Wypasek, 2006
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee – Rep/TL/CSA/Membership Assistant
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
All of them . . . after working there 4 years, I can't think of just one!!
What's new with you?
Went to South Africa last summer and started graduate school in Memphis, TN in the fall.
2005 Alums
Natalie Magiet, 2005
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Illinois Synchronized Skating Team Co-Founder and President
What's new with you?
Finishing Grad School at Washington University in St. Louis, MO!
2004 Alums
Dana (Grossnickle) Duff, 2004
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee, (Rep, TL, CSA, FA)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Meeting so many wonderful people, especially my husband, Mike Duff.
What's new with you?
Mike and I are proud parents of our little girl, Anya, who was born April 25, 2007.
Aya Ozeki, 2004
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
"Bar Crawls" and Broomball
Becki (Golden) Sand, 2004
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Friday morning shifts with William after a night of "partying" as Harold would say. Also see Angie's referenced head slide into wall.
What's new with you?
Working/Living in Chicago and Matt and I just got married!
2003 Alums
Jami Barenthin, 2003 (and 2006)
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
While working the Campus Rec table at Fresh Start I was also charge of taking broomball sign-ups. A group of guys came up and had to join a team of girls. Their only question: "What do these girls look like?"
What's new with you?
Working at the UI Ice Arena - who knew working for Kristin entering membership data could get me so far!
Deborah Ehler, 2003
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Angie Francisco - need I say more?
2002 Alums
Angie Francisco, 2002
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Former Custodial Engineer
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The day Cal Welch quit and Doug Boyer forever referenced him with fists in the air. Closely behind in second is Becki Golden going head first into the ice hockey wall during Broomball after playing "Uno."
What's new with you?
I'm currently a professional dog walker in Chi-town and also manage a Chili's. Everyone loves our queso.
Andy Schweickert, 2002
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee; Campus Recreation Referendum Committee Chair
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The glorious 75% approval of the referendum in 2002!
What's new with you?
Working in the Chicago area.
2001 Alums
Kelly Castaneda, 2001
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee (1997-2001)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
A lot!!
What's new with you?
Works for the Will County Health Dept in Joliet as a Community Health Educator.
Chrissy (Hochstein) Schochet, 2001
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Ice Arena Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The friends I made! And, driving the Zamboni!
Betsy Meyer, 2001
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee at the Ice Arena
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
"Building a Boat that Floats" out of cardboard and duct tape with Amy and Chrissy until the wee hours of the morning at the rink. Unfortunately, the "Zamboni" didn't win, but we had fun!
What's new with you?
Got married two weeks after graduation, and husband began flight school with the Navy. I'm currently employed with Pepperdine University doing marketing for their Advancement Dept. The most exciting news is that we're expecting our first baby.
Amy Sponsler, 2001
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Barcrawls!
What's new with you?
I currently serve as the Director of the Office of Volunteer Programs at UIUC.
2000 Alums
1999 Alums
1998 Alums
Tim Engrav, 1998
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Graduate Assistant - Facility Management / Outdoor Adventures
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
1997 Fall Break Smokey Mountains Backpacking Trip - Our Thanksgiving meal ended up all in one cooking pot (turkey, gravy, dressing, and even the cranberries) and the group loved it! (ok, I confess that the group was hungry)
What's new with you?
I'm working for the US Forest Service as a Recreation and Wilderness Manager on the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota.
Tom Thompson, 1998
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee - Ice Arena / IMPE / CRCE
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working hockey games and happy hours ;)
What's new with you?
Living and working back in Chicago in the logistics / supply chain management industry. Just got back from trekking in Nepal. Headed to India right before Homecoming for work. So glad it's football season again!!
1997 Alums
Joe Buan, 1997
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Grad Asst - Ice Arena; Employee - Ice Arena (Supervisor, Zam Driver); Teaching Asst. (Kines-Ice Skating/Ice Hockey); Participant Intramurals; Participant Men's Lacrosse Club
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Illini Hockey Games; Refereeing IM hockey; Spring LTS Extravaganza (ice show)
What's new with you?
Not much. Family (wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs), Work (Philips Healtcare), Activities with one or more of the kids pretty much every night.
Mark Johnson, 1997
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I have fond memories of opening IMPE at 6:30 am and sitting in Room 140, trying to wake up after a long night of....studying. And then, a deer ran through the front window, down the back stairs and out the back sliding doors. That was an interesting phone call to Dale Carruthers.
What's new with you?
Nothing significant to report. Wife, 2 kids, lots of soccer practice and travelling for work. Coming back to campus for home game against Ohio State. Can't wait to tailgate at home!!!
1996 Alums
1995 Alums
Joanna (Schmid) Williamson, 1995 (and 1997)
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Former Student Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer and Graduate Assistant for Fitness (1992-December 1996)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Quad Day Fitness Demo every year (and heat exhaustion once :)), Coordinating the Fresh Start Sponsors with Doug Boyer the summer before Grad School (for Fall 1995), teaching step classes in the early 90's that would "sell out" (we would have 65 people + some on the floor!) at CIRCE when it was just a gym (Phase I)!! Getting to know the ropes of management as a GA. The skills I learned with in various student jobs and as a graduate assistant prepared me very well to become a fitness director. My training was state of the art. I see people now from college who tell me that my fitness classes that they took while they were at Illinois started their fitness habit that still continues today! (occasionally I run into people from those "sell out" classes while in Chicago!)
What's new with you?
I am now with University of Texas at Austin in RecSports (Personal Training & Asst. Coordinator, teaching spinning, yoga and--of course group classes like step, sculpt and Kickboxing). I have been married for 12 years (he is now a UT Professor) and we have fraternal twin boys who will enter kindergarten in the fall. I love triathlons (did my first 70.3 1/2 Ironman last year), running 1/2 marathons, and playing with the kiddos + two dogs.
1994 Alums
Chanda Dowell, 1994 (and 1996)
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Undergrad Employee, Graduate Assistant, Intramural Champion and Participant
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Courtney's deer story is a favorite, getting everyone to sing the Illinois Loyalty song on the radio, driving that prisoner-looking pick up truck to the Complex, Schick SuperHoops, not checking the saunas (seriously, did anyone?), and of course Frisbee Golf.
What's new with you?
I've been married to Mike Keup since 2001. He wants to be a stay-at-home parent, but we don't have any kids and our two black labs really don't require all-day home care so he has to keep working. I work as the Vice President of the Black Hawk College East Campus and am supposed to be writing my dissertation. Instead, I learned to play golf and try to get out to play whenever possible. We got a new TV to watch our Illini and it's big enough that I don't have to read the sports scores to Mike anymore!
1993 Alums
Laura (Baylor) Ellison, 1993
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Worked at IMPE and CRC, IM participant and club sport participant.
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Watching CRCE be built and open with greater cardio and strength equipment (instead of dark rooms in the basement of IMPE).
What's new with you?
Still working in the worksite health promotion field since graduation. Married to another UIUC alum and have 2 children.
Mary "Courtney" (Carpenter) Sneddon, 1993
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee, both undergrad and grad. asst., IM Champ, Sport Club - Soccer
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
A deer broke through the front window of IMPE, ran around the lobby, down the hall toward Gym 1, and out the back window!
What's new with you?
I'm married and a stay-at-home mom of 2 girls. We live in the Pittsburgh suburbs (Go Steelers), and I watch every Illini game that I can.
1992 Alums
Holly (Schmidt) Hampton, 1992
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I was working the turnstiles at IMPE as a freshman in 1988-89. Two men came in without their ID. Taking my job seriously, I would not allow them to enter. The men were upset with me and said, "Don't you know who we are?" I said that I didn't, and later found out that I had turned away Kendall Gill and Irvin Small. These two men helped take the Illini basketball team to the Finals of the NCAA tourney in 1989. They got second place. I was forever teased by my IMPE co-workers that if I would have let them in to practice, they would have WON the NCAA tourney. Gill went on to play professional basketball, and when I'd see him play on TV, it always made me smile to think about my funny experience at IMPE.
What's new with you?
Taught middle school for 10, but then decided to stay home full-time and focus on raising my family the best I could. I miss my profession, but don't think I'll have any regrets.
Mike Mansfield, 1992
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Graduate Assistant/Indentured Servant
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Frisbee Golf – for those who may remember it
What's new with you?
Working for Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity as Regional Director, consulting and developing programs for SAE fraternity chapters in 10 states. And, recreating as much as possible.
David Pocs, 1992
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee - Lifeguard
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
12 toes
What's new with you?
Kid #3 is on its way!
1991 Alums
1990 Alums
Stan Macasieb, 1990
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
IM official (football supervisor, soccer)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Going to work as a football supervisor Thurday nights at FAF; riding my bike from ISR to IMPE, then driving the pickup to FAF down St. Mary's Road. Championship night was the best time of all, when every game on the schedule had a title on the line!
What's new with you?
Living in Worcester, MA. Married since 1997, two children.
1989 Alums
Margaret Kent, 1989
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee (First Aider)
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The Rugby Club's first game of the season. The captian yelled, "O.K., Let's see some blood out there!"
What's new with you?
I went on to receive a Master's in Recreation Management because of the fond memories that I have of IMPE. I'm now staying home to raise my children.
Valerie Mann, 1989
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
weight room supervisor
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I helped conduct a body-fat test one Saturday morning. A student-athlete (track) came through my line. Getting a pinch of his skin was like trying to grab spandex, several sizes too small, off of your body. I finally said, "Are you kidding me? Buddy, why are you even here?"
What's new with you?
I'm a professional artist, mother and instructor. Fitness is still a love of mine and my kids are on the high school swim and waterpolo teams and on a travel soccer team.
Ronna (Reckman) Renken, 1989
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee - Lifeguard
What's new with you?
Teaching English at Edwardsville High School
Amy (Iben) Wills, 1989
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Women's Intramural Manager
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Interviewing incoming Women's IM Managers and the laughter it inspired. Also, discovering through this volunteer position that I needed to pursue a career in Campus Recreation.
What's new with you?
I'm presently working at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a Recreation Specialist for Aquatics and Outdoor Recreation.
1988 Alums
Kim (Ufkin/Hursey) Felsen, 1988
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
IMPE brown shirter!
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working at the IMPE building with all my old brown shirt friends! I loved the back door. We always let people in. Roving the rackball courts was always a good break. Does anyone remember Huff and Kenney gym as well? Those were the good old days with Johnny Turner on maintenance, and Judy up at Kenney gym. Please contact me if you worked for Campus Rec between 1984 and 1988.
What's new with you?
I do membership sales at a Martial arts academy and am a Mom of twins and a third child.
Linda (McGill) Smith, 1988
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Best campus job I ever had.
What's new with you?
Packing up my oldest daughter to go to U of I today (surprise!) — she'll be a freshman. Ran across this Campus Rec guide while sorting through her stuff. Brought back good memories.
1987 Alums
Margie Ruble, 1987
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee – back in the "brown shirt days!"
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
For the most part, it was the people I worked with. I enjoyed NEARLY everyone of my fellow employees.
What's new with you?
Have returned to school to pursue medical assisting. And, I'd love to get in touch with anyone who worked from about 1985-1987. I know you are out there and missing those brown shirts and days of actually checking stickers on the back of ID's.
1986 Alums
Mark Bittner, 1986
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
IM Manager,IM Champ
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Driving the university truck back to IMPE from the "new" (back in 1985) athletic fields. I will admit that the truck often made stops on Daniel St. before its return to the rear of the building.
What's new with you?
Working as a real estate appraiser in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Pamela Galowich, 1986
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
IM Manager, IM official, IM office worker, Campus Rec Committee student member
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
All of them but especially memorable ones: reffing men's frat basketball (kinda scary as a female!), hanging out in the IM office and winning one of the badminton doubles IM championship my freshmen year.
What's new with you?
Just completed a master's degree in physician assistant studies and passed my national board exam to become a PA-C (certified) and am now looking forward to starting a job 10/08 as a surgical PA in Philadelphia PA.
1985 Alums
Tom Esch, 1985
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Worked at "IMPE" for a year or two (1983-1984) when they had 34 racquetball courts.
1984 Alums
Calvin C., 1984
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee - I remember the brown shirts and the year we started using them. Craig said that people would feel less threatened by us because it was a passive color. It was the 80's. Earth tones were in.
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
To this day, working at IMPE is still one of my favorite places that I have ever worked. It was really a great group of people.
What's new with you?
work in the Silicon Valley in the semiconductor equipment industry.
Hey, Tom....How are you? What are you up to these days?
Hey, Grant...Nice to hear from you.
Hey Jim....You were one of the best head supervisors. Was I the one who trained you?
Gayle Gatch, 1984
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Lifeguarding at IMPE! Lifeguarding for the Men's Water Polo Team, really rough swimmers!
What's new with you?
Managing a guest ranch outside of Yellowstone National Park.
1983 Alums
Grant Marozas, 1983
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Working Camp IMPE and the people. Forgetting the key to open on a Hot Summer Saturday and having to call Craig while 50 people were upset with me.
What's new with you?
Work at Mayo Clinic.
1982 Alums
Jim Hvizd, 1982
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
The best IMPE Head Supervisor Craig Stinson ever hired!
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
The creativity of excuses used when students showed up at IMPE in late January and found that they left their ID's at home. I met my fiancé that way!
What's new with you?
I'm a Vice-President with Raytheon, a large defense contractor, running an aircraft production program for the Air Force and Army.
Laura Knuffman, 1982
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee, Facility Management
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
There are so many!
What's new with you?
Moving to Boston
1981 Alums
1980 Alums
1978 Alums
Maddie (Singler) Kelly, 1978
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Worked and played Campus Rec all 4 years. Loved every minute!
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
There are so many it's hard to pick one! I loved working at IMPE and still have dreams that I'm still working there. I hate to wake up!! One of my fondest memories is of winning the all campus co-rec softball championship. Although I was pre title 9 in grammar school and high school, Campus Rec allowed us to play all the sports. My favorites were volleyball and flag football. IMPE's indoor pool is my all time favorite workout facility and I try and get my laps in every time I'm back on campus. (Can't wait until it opens again). I'm sad to see the tennis courts go because that was another great memory for me. Play an hour of tennis and then cool off in the outdoor pool. Life was grand, and Campus Rec was probably the best part of my college experience!!
What's new with you?
I stayed in my field and have now been the director of the Oak Lawn Park District for 12 years. My daughter graduated in RST two years ago and my son is going into senior year in Kinies. We're all loyal Illini and are devastated by the Chief!!!
Joyce (Bartczak) Waskelo, 1978
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
Worked as a “guard” at the Ice Rink for a few years and played intramural racquetball.
1974 Alums
Cynthia Watson Veronda, 1974
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Student Employee
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I was thrilled to see the article about Tony Clements, who has earned his retirement. Thirty-three years ago, I had the privilege of working under Tony’s guidance at IMPE. His smile was infectious, as was his energy. What he doesn’t know is the importance of IMPE in my life ...
While working at IMPE, behind the court reservation desk, a handsome young man came in to seek a refund for money lost in the pop machine. He recognized my name and face, as “someone he should know”. We met, and as the saying goes, “The rest is history”! Bill Veronda (Business ‘73) and I (LAS ’74) have been married for 28 years! To think that it all started over a lost quarter at IMPE! As parents of three, we are hoping that our youngest chooses the U of I to further her education.
1969 Alums
Alan Chapman, 1969
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
Sophomore IM Manager 1966-67, Junior IM Manager 1967-68, Senior IM Manager 1968-69
Active participant in many IM activities 1965-69
Employee (basketball official and equipment room) 1966-68
What is your favorite Campus Recreation memory?
I have great memories of road trips to other Big 10 facilities during the planning stages of the IMPE Building. The facility was constructed after I graduated. IM basketball in Huff Gym, soccer out on Lincoln and Kirby, 16" softball at First and Kirby, volleyball in the Men's Old Gym, and tennis on the Huff Gym courts were all very important parts of my Illini experience. The IM office was always a great place to gather, with friendly people all interested in developing, administering and maintaining a great IM program for the entire University community.
What's new with you?
I returned to my hometown, Normal, IL, after graduation and served as an educator in the Unit 5 schools for thirty-five years. My wife and I are now both retired educators, enjoying our adult children and our grandchildren. Our daughter and younger son both graduated from the University of Illinois, and all of us remain loyal Illini fans.
1958 Alums
Daniel A. Damon, 1958
What is your connection with Campus Recreation?
IM Manager
