Recreational Sports

If you happen to find yourself at Dixon Recreation Center on any given weeknight, you’ve likely been lucky enough to be in community with a special group of Oregon State University students and their friends. One such student is Roy Almog. Roy, a current senior studying Exercise and Sports Science, regularly devotes his time as a role model of independence through the “IMPACT for Life” program.  Within this Oregon State University program, Roy is paired with a differently-abled adult who he guides through various physical activities in order to promote the development of independence. This guidance builds an extremely strong and trustworthy relationship between Roy and his partner, one that they both truly cherish.

At an early age, Roy’s involvement in the Eagle Scout program and his inclination towards activity, the outdoors, helping others and learning about the human body greatly sparked his interest in the health careers field.  During high school, Roy channeled his active nature through his strong passion for sports, diving into both football and basketball at every possible opportunity.   Though he was not the strongest or fastest member of the football team, Roy credits his work ethic and determination for leading him to the honor of becoming a two-way starter on the varsity football team.  Situations such as these demonstrate the determination and active nature that Roy embodies.

“I always believed in myself, and I knew that if I fought hard to show the coaches that I really loved the game, I could earn my right to be out there playing on Friday nights.  That’s why I play hard and always put forth my best effort, because I love the game,” explained Almog.

Unfortunately, an ACL injury came between him and his passion; however, this did not stop the young man from finding a silver lining in his situation.  He became extremely curious in regards to the physiological aspect and kinesiology of the body when involved in diverse athletic situations.  This curiosity brought Roy to Beaver Nation, where there was an excellent opportunity to study Kinesiology within the Exercise and Sports Science program.  He was able to conduct research upon injuries such as the ACL tear that he previously suffered.

Immersed in studies about human physiology, Roy understands that in order to be successful in the medical or health professions, one must be able to personally and psychologically relate to another individual.  Thus, seeking out an opportunity to partake in the IMPACT for Life program seemed like a no-brainer, as it presented a new and exciting challenge to learn about interacting with diverse individuals.  As expected, Almog loved and embraced this experience, as he could share his passion for sports and physical activity with his paired participant.

“The best feeling is when I see the pure enjoyment on my participant’s face, and I am so thankful that Recreational Sports is willing to play host to a program like IMPACT for Life,” expressed Roy.

The values of Recreational Sports and Roy’s kind-hearted spirit go hand-in-hand, and it is this spirit that will translate directly to his future plans.  Roy strives to continue his studies in order to promote health as a doctor in medicine, with a greater emphasis on prevention rather than treatment.  Similar to the principles of Recreational Sports, Roy believes that the best way to stay healthy is to stay active.

With a warm smile on his face, Roy stated, “In order to keep a healthy mind, one must keep a healthy body.”

Written by: Suchit Kapur, Recreational Sports Membership and Sponsorship Student