Recreational Sports

Story by Laikyn Carnes -- Outreach Student

I recently sat down with Leah Hall Dorothy, our new Director of Recreational Sports, to learn about who she is and what she has in store for Recreational Sports.

Canada, eh? I laugh with Dr. Hall Dorothy as she spells out her hometown of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. “The joke is ‘C-eh-N-eh-D-eh’ is how you spell Canada,” she says as we start our interview.

For most of us, Dr. Hall Dorothy’s arrival to Oregon State University was a quiet one. We went away for Winter Break, and when we returned she was sitting in the Director’s Office at Dixon Recreation Center. It’s true that some of us had the opportunity to get to know her through the extensive search process, but the rest of us are left wondering… what might this mean for our future?

Q: Leah, why did you want to come to Oregon State University and specifically Recreational Sports?

A: Recreational Sports at OSU is a nationally known program that is very well respected across the country in the campus recreation profession. I like the current direction of Student Affairs here, too-- like the focus on transformational experiences for students. I’m not just saying that because that’s the word to say on campus right now;  I was excited about the opportunities, about how Student Affairs entities like University Housing and Dining Services, Student Health Services and the Memorial Union work together. I really wanted to be a part of it.

And I won’t lie, the warmer climate did play a factor [laughter]! A fun example – on December 30^th the moving truck pulled up to our house and it was negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit. That same day, when we landed in Eugene, people were talking about how cold it was. It was positive 30!

Q: What is most important to you in the field of recreation?

A: Lots of things! I think people should be involved in recreation at a level they’re comfortable with. I want it to be welcoming. I want you to be able to see something for yourself here. Whether it’s coming in and using the equipment or actually playing on a team. I want to make it less intimidating for students that may not have experienced that kind of well-being.  There's a sense of community here. You may go to a fitness class and not know anybody, but you can feel like you're part of a smaller community in this twenty-six thousand person campus. I want people to find a connection that’s meaningful to them.

Q: What changes can our members expect to see in the near future?

A: Ah, that’s a good question! I really think it’s understanding the needs of students and members as we go from year to year. We need to be responsive. So I don’t actually have a “thing” that I think we’re going to change, but you may see some different things offered. For example, integrating more with Student Affairs and the First Year Experience with UHDS is somewhere we can grow and become a support.

Q: What do you hope to be your legacy at Recreational Sports?

A: I think you create your legacy every day. I don’t think your legacy is just something you do at the end. I think every day is a part of that, and I think everyone I work with and everyone I see is building that for me. At the end, I’m just hoping that students have an amazing place to go and complement their academic life with their physical well-being. We want everything to have value in the future if you work for us or are a part of our program.

Leah is truly a gem! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about her lifelong focus on community and family. Over the past twenty years, Leah has spent a majority of her free time at athletic and music/theater events for her children, as well as being involved in various community groups. Her passion for community shines, and she and her husband are excited to become involved in the Corvallis community. I am really looking forward to the exciting things Leah will do at Recreational Sports and beyond as she leads us into the future!

Congratulations to Dr. Hall Dorothy for winning the NIRSA Annual Service Award for her dedication and involvement with the Canadian Collegiate Recreation Association. The NIRSA Annual Service Award (formerly the National Service Award) annually recognizes up to six professional members and up to three student members for their outstanding contributions to NIRSA and the field of collegiate recreation. Presented during the NIRSA Annual Conference, the awards are given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional performance during the previous year in leadership and development of NIRSA programs, policies, events, special projects, or committees.

We're so excited to have her as our new Director!