The award is presented annully to Campus Recreation's outstanding student employee as voted on by the Campus Recreation Team. Students nominate themselves as they complete an application and write a letter explaining why they believe they are qualified to receive the award. The Campus Recreation Team reviews and evaluates the applicants to identify the annual recipient.

Cody Bauman was chosen as the 2008-2009 recipient of the Dr. James "Gym" McFarland Award. Cody graduated spring semester 2009 with a degree in Elementary Education.  She has a GPA of 3.43 and has been a Campus recreation employee since the fall semester of 2006.  During this time she has worked a lifeguard, Cycle Aerobics Instructor, Climbing Wall belayer and member of the Outdoor Adventure staff.  She was one of the founders of the Brian’s Ride Triathlon who helped in organizing and conducting the event as well as a participant.  Money generated from this event goes toward sponsoring Brian’s Ride a now annual event that generates money for Cystic Fibrosis.  In addition Cody has been involved in Leave it Green, the Green Fund and Critical Mass bike rides.  Cody says “I can’t explain what an impact the opportunities that I have been able to experience while employed at the ARC have done for me.  My positions and my enthusiasm to constantly go beyond positions expectations have truly helped me to grow as an individual.  The ARC has not only offered me employment, but has introduced a family to me.  Campus Recreation has not only offered me employment, but has introduced a family to me.  I’m extremely grateful for every coworker, patron and professional staff relationship I have been able to create while working at the Aebersold Student Recreation Center.  This award in itself is a true example of what Campus Recreation is all about.  It’s about creating leaders, promoting teamwork, driving participation and building an outlet for enthusiasm.  GO ROCK!!!”

Congratulations go out to Nick Scuilli who was chosen as the 2007-2008 recipient of the Dr. James "Gym" McFarland Award. Nick has been a member of the Campus Recreation Student Employee Team for the past two years. He has been involved in a number of Campus Recreation activities including intramural sports, outdoor adventure programs, playing and servicing as the president of the men's volleyball club. He has assisted in professional preparation as a Sport Management major by attending the PIRSA (Pennsylvania Intramural Recreational Sports Association) conference, the NIRSA (National Intramural Recreational Sports Association) Student Lead ON conference and assisting with Special Olympics and the National Women's Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Throughout his involvement he has displayed the Dr. McFarland characteristics of Leadership, Enthusiasm and Teamwork. Nick says "The last two years of my college career have been filled with great times working at the ARC and in Campus Recreation.  My co-workers and the professional staff helped make these unforgettable moments.  The ARC is the one place on campus where everyone wants to work.  I felt honored over the past two years to have worked for such a great team.  Campus Recreation is a great atmosphere to work and provides many opportunities for students to improve as a person.  I can't thank the Campus Recreation crew enough for everything over the past four years of my college career.  GO ROCK!"

This year's recipient was Jason Foster. Jason is senior with a double major in Sport Management and Marketing and carries a 3.6 GPA. He has been employed with Campus Recreation since the spring of 2005 and has twice been recognized as a Campus Recreation All Star.  Jason worked extensively with the National Women’s Wheel Chair Basketball tournament, volunteered to work early shifts, weekend duty and lock in rentals.  Jason says “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 softball fields or playing racquetball at the field house.  I could not 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 upon graduation one of my first purchases will be an ARC membership!  GO ROCK!”.  

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