All majors meet on the court with Phys. Ed. Courses
Andy Buss
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: Sports
If you wander around the campus of Hillsdale College and enters the George Roche Sports Complex on a Wednesday morning, you may see a combination of philosophy and classics majors competing - in volleyball class.
The college's approach to physical education is one often separating it from other schools.
"It has been understood since ancient times that we live life most fully when we are healthy," Provost Bob Blackstock wrote in an e-mail. "It is not enough to develop our minds and our spirits; our bodies need to be strong as well.
"In my opinion, it's taking a holistic approach toward student development - you know, mind, body, spirit," Registrar Douglas McArthur said.
The requirement of all students to participate in at least two activity courses within physical education department before graduation is often unique to Hillsdale.
"Students only have to take P.E. classes if it's in their major," a clerk in Albion College's registrar's office said. "Otherwise we do not require students to take a P.E. course."
While the required classes add hours to an already challenging core of must-take courses, students do not seem to mind the activity.
"I'm in two P.E. classes and I like them a lot," freshman Diana Eberhart said. "I think it's a good thing for students to do. It keeps people active."
Eberhart said she's currently in fitness for life and bowling. These are two of the most popular activity classes, McArthur said.
"When I think of P.E. classes, I think of lifting and stuff," Eberhart said. "I just wanted a break from that, and bowling offered another alternative."
McArthur said other very in-demand activity courses include tennis, personal safety, weight training and basic shotgun.
"Tennis probably fills up first," McArthur said. "That has a lot to do with the class sizes being really small."
At the same time, some athletes on campus feel it is a bit redundant to make student-athletes partake in P.E. activity courses.
"I think it's ridiculous that varsity athletes are required to take P.E. classes to graduate," baseball player Paul Smith, a junior, said. "We have practice every day and we get more than enough physical activity from there. If we're not practicing, we're lifting and running."
Blackstock also addressed this concern.
"Physical education requirements tend to encourage students to take up several activities they will enjoy their entire lives," he wrote.
"Many varsity sports do not lend themselves to lifelong participation. Even if one's varsity sport does invite lifelong participation, it is good for a variety of reasons to enjoy several different sports."
The college's approach to physical education is one often separating it from other schools.
"It has been understood since ancient times that we live life most fully when we are healthy," Provost Bob Blackstock wrote in an e-mail. "It is not enough to develop our minds and our spirits; our bodies need to be strong as well.
"In my opinion, it's taking a holistic approach toward student development - you know, mind, body, spirit," Registrar Douglas McArthur said.
The requirement of all students to participate in at least two activity courses within physical education department before graduation is often unique to Hillsdale.
"Students only have to take P.E. classes if it's in their major," a clerk in Albion College's registrar's office said. "Otherwise we do not require students to take a P.E. course."
While the required classes add hours to an already challenging core of must-take courses, students do not seem to mind the activity.
"I'm in two P.E. classes and I like them a lot," freshman Diana Eberhart said. "I think it's a good thing for students to do. It keeps people active."
Eberhart said she's currently in fitness for life and bowling. These are two of the most popular activity classes, McArthur said.
"When I think of P.E. classes, I think of lifting and stuff," Eberhart said. "I just wanted a break from that, and bowling offered another alternative."
McArthur said other very in-demand activity courses include tennis, personal safety, weight training and basic shotgun.
"Tennis probably fills up first," McArthur said. "That has a lot to do with the class sizes being really small."
At the same time, some athletes on campus feel it is a bit redundant to make student-athletes partake in P.E. activity courses.
"I think it's ridiculous that varsity athletes are required to take P.E. classes to graduate," baseball player Paul Smith, a junior, said. "We have practice every day and we get more than enough physical activity from there. If we're not practicing, we're lifting and running."
Blackstock also addressed this concern.
"Physical education requirements tend to encourage students to take up several activities they will enjoy their entire lives," he wrote.
"Many varsity sports do not lend themselves to lifelong participation. Even if one's varsity sport does invite lifelong participation, it is good for a variety of reasons to enjoy several different sports."
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