Scott Berndes
After 34 years at UCSD, Scott Berndes is officially stepping down from his Sports and Recreation Clubs Director position and getting ready to enjoy the retired-life in beautiful San Diego. Scott completed his undergrad at UC Riverside while competing on their intercollegiate baseball team, and became Intramural Sports Director at UCR. However, when the Assistant Intramural Sports Director positioned opened up at UCSD, he quickly snagged the job to return back to his beloved hometown. He has been flourishing in the department, and had the opportunity to ascended to the Sports Clubs Director position in 1993, and has been there ever since.
Jane Hinderson
Even when Jane was thousands of miles away from home, she able to pursue her passion in traveling, studying, and engaging in an unforgettable trip. Jane definitely learned a lot from her position in the marketing department, but even more so, from her journey to unfamiliar places and finding herself along the way, through fitness and through life.
Out of the many accomplishments that Scott has achieved here at UCSD, he is particularly proud of his efforts that helped expand the Sports Clubs department. When he first started as a director, there were only 8 sports clubs teams, and the program has grown to 28 sports, including a full-time assistant and two full-time athletic trainers. Scott has also contributed to the creation of many campus traditions such as the UnOlympics, Welcome Week's main event in which the six college compete for the bronze shoe and some bragging rights for the rest of the school year. Other fond memories that Scott recalls are: Recreation Casino Nights on campus, the creation of the Fall Festival on the Green for student organizations, all-night volleyball tournaments with Intramural Sports and plenty more.
Although Scott has had so many accomplishments from his position, he says that his friendships with his co-workers has been one of the highlights of his career at UCSD. He has the upmost respect and praise for Mike Hipp, his supervisor, friend and mentor, and also the Director of Intramural sports. He has enjoyed working with students by helping them organize and run their sports clubs, and is also so proud of the participants, who have no scholarships or subsidized costs and play at their highest level for the love of their sport.
Scott will continue to share his love for sports and fun, even after he leaves UCSD, as he plans to stay involved with the Hickman Youth Athletic Areas in Kearny Mesa and promote youth sports in the community. Recreation will miss him so much, but we know that he will continue to touch the lives of many with his passion and drive for the love of the game! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our department, they will not be forgotten as the traditions will stay for many years to come.
Jane Hinderson
As an intern for the UCSD Recreation marketing department in during the Fall Quarter 2011, Jane Hinderson is the epitome of the adventure-seeking and hard working student/employee! Jane is an international student at Extension, and carried her love for traveling all the way to San Diego from Sweden. As a participant of the Business Essentials program at the UCSD Extension, she has enhanced her marketing skills here at recreation while experiencing the fun and excitement offered here at the department as well.
In addition to practicing her English skills, Jane has had the chance to create new friendships with other students here at UCSD by partaking in the Outback Adventures horseback riding trip in Mexico. Since she had the background of riding horse back home in Sweden, Jane was ecstatic to be able ride again. As she states,
"I had not ridden a horse for more than two months, love riding and so was happy to find out about this trip. On arriving at the ranch, my first impression was that it was very beautiful, surrounded by hills, and when you take a deep breath into your lungs, you feel calm and free. The tours on horseback were even better. Can you imagine riding on top of a giant hill with a huge dip on your left side, just because you want to enjoy the most amazing view you've ever seen on your other side? That is when a rider and a horse become a team. You trust you horse and your horse will do anything for you to be safe on the trail."
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Pule Wang
One of our very own Recreation workers took a big step this past year when he decided to follow his passion for travel and sports. It brought him from his hometown in China to Southern California. Who is this brave man who took a leap of faith and traveled here from across the world? His name is Pule.
Pule didn't want to give up his passion for sports and saw the importance of personal fitness. He found out that Recreation was a perfect fit for helping him improve his communication skills and lead a balanced lifestyle.
Now, he's an employee at our Weight Room at RIMAC and is doing well. He has a great opportunity to do all the stuff he came here for and practice his English skills.
Pule says : "Do not be afraid, if you see a change to do something don't let language communication problems hold you back."
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Our Blue Smurf
Who’s the dude behind all of those cool videos being posted on the Recclass facebook page? Who is the guy with the blue face behind the lens? To us, over at RecClass central, he is know as Smurf, a beloved Knock Around Kids’ Camp counselor. But, stepping outside of the summer months Smurf, a.k.a. Nathan Murphy, is a senior Visual Arts major (minor in business) who is a whirlwind of creative energy and innovative business scheming.
How did Nathan and his size 16 pair of basketball shoes land on UCSD’s terra firma? Originally from Spokane, WA but high schooled in Mesa, AZ Smurf was the whiz kid of his high school’s athletic program playing basketball, volleyball and pretty much anything that involved projectiles. He was All-State on his HS basketball team, a status which showered him with offers to seven different Division I schools. Unfortunately, the big guy broke his right elbow before he had signed on the dotted line and the Division I suitors dropped him like a hot potato so off to UC San Diego he went and the rest is history.
And just what does he do with his time when he’s not working for Rec Classes as a Program Assistant and basketball instructor? Smurf is all over that project as he juggles life on campus as an R.A. in Eleanor Roosevelt’s International House with all of his other outlets including his newest passion, Gymnastics . “I like learning to feel comfortable with being uncomfortable and feeling in control with being slightly out of control,” he said. But for now his big shoes and big presence make for a big impression over in the land of Rec Classes. Try out one of Smurf’s basketball classes offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. or join him in the South Balcony for some crazy fun gymnastics.
______________________________________________Exhibiting Excellence in Rough Seas
On the behalf of all the Outback staff, we would like to thank the outstanding performance of the guides on staff training in their encounter with a real-life injury situation. After a guide acquired a back injury which left him uncritically hurt but unable to paddle a kayak or sit up for a day, the guide staff worked around the clock to ensure his health and comfort and to deliver him safely from location to location.
Upon first hearing of the guide's injury, the team effectively weighed risks and decided it would be best to transport him across the bay on the deck of a tandem kayak with an experienced kayaker. Even though they had to paddle him through rough seas and under the intense heat of the sun, they were able get him safely ashore at the next destination, and ultimately to shore at base camp.
The injured guide is now back to normal health and the guide team has gained invaluable experience in dealing with emergency health situations. We applaud them and all of their quick, level-headed thinking; may they continue to do the same if a situation like this arises in the future.
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Randy Ewing---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of our UCSD Recreation student employees is hard at work providing assistance and support for injured athletes in the winter action sports community. Last Thanksgiving Randy suffered a serious injury while skiing at Mammoth Mountain. After his month long stay in the hospital he had to relearn how to walk and use his hands.
Now back at UCSD, he is dedicated to helping people who have been in his situation but not receiving the tremendous amount of support needed to regain their strength. Randy has teamed up with High Five Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping athletes who have been injured. By teaming up with Red Bull and UCSD Outback Adventures he is able to hold the fundraiser, ‘Get Back At It’, for the High Five Foundation. This event will be held on Thursday, November 10, at 6pm in Price Center Theater. This fun filled event will include a double movie premier featuring The Art of Flight and Rettalack, UCSD student bands, and a raffle. Admission is free for UCSD students and staff and 5 dollars for the public. So make sure to come out on November 10th and support a great cause!
