The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- September 13, 1999

End Zone -- Rutgers boosts esprit de corps with addition of 'Color Games

BY KAY HAWES
STAFF WRITER

At the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference this summer, student-athlete leaders from all over the nation identified lack of school spirit, lack of attendance at athletics events and improvement of inter-team relationships as issues they would like to address on their campuses.

Perhaps they can borrow an idea from the student-athlete advisory committee at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick.

Before summer break this year, the Rutgers SAAC hosted "Color Games '99, A Day for All Athletes." Student-athletes from various sports were randomly assigned to different color teams and then brought together to compete in different activities against other student-athletes from Rutgers.

The event, now in its fourth year, was designed to unite student-athletes, provide athletics department unity and improve inter-team association.

This year's events included an obstacle relay race, a tug of war, kickball, balloon toss and volleyball. The day concluded with a barbecue for the student-athletes and the volunteers. Photos of the winning color team will hang in the athletics department all year.

"(The SAAC) wanted a large turnout, so we tried to make it as fun as possible," said Debbie Dejong, a Rutgers SAAC representative and a softball student-athlete.

The event also was designed to create a sense of community among the Rutgers student-athletes.

"Because Rutgers is so big, sometimes you will see a student-athlete from another team, either in class or in the weight room, but you don't say hello because you're not really sure if you know them or if they know you are an athlete, too," Dejong said.

Mike Jones, a football player and SAAC representative, said some people had to be persuaded to attend, but once there, they were glad they came.

"A lot of guys on the team were not sure if they wanted to go, but once we were all there it turned out to be a lot of fun," Jones said.

This year's event was Rutgers' largest so far, attracting nearly 200 student-athletes from all 30 of Rutgers' varsity teams. Coaches, administrators and staff members also came out to show their support and lend a hand.

"One of the biggest complaints I hear from student-athletes is that they commit so much of their time to athletics and academics that they don't have time to meet athletes from other teams," said Eric Rienecker, the SAAC advisor and the director of Rutgers' CHAMPS/Life Skills program, called RU STRONG (Rutgers University Student-Athletes Total Resource Opportunities for Necessary Growth).

"The event was designed to permit athletes from different teams to interact with each other in a fun environment," Rienecker said.

Robert E. Mulcahy, director of athletics at Rutgers, gives the credit for the program's success to the Rutgers SAAC. "This event was successful because of the student-athlete advisory committee. Their involvement in the planning and organization of any life skills program is crucial."

And, thanks to the SAAC's efforts, there may be some additional fans in the stands at Rutgers this fall.

"It was fun because we were able to meet athletes from other teams," said Shannon Nagle, a Rutgers SAAC representative and a soccer student-athlete. "And now I want to go to their games and support other Rutgers teams."