Purpose & Principles

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission  

Rec Sports fuels UWL’s commitment to mind & body with student-led experiences that foster growth, self-discovery, community, and holistic well-being in an environment where everyone feels welcomed and encouraged to show up as they are. 

Vision 

Lay the foundation for lifelong well-being  

Values 

Safety 
We prioritize proactive and ongoing risk management through training, policies & procedures, and shared responsibility, so participants can challenge themselves in environments that are as safe as reasonably possible. 

Student Centered 
Students are at the heart of all we do. We design our programs, spaces, and employment experiences around student needs. 

Growth 
We prioritize personal & professional development through learning experiences that build confidence, skills, and leadership through recreation. 

Stewardship 
We show pride in UWL Rec Sports by caring for the spaces, resources, and relationships we’ve been entrusted with. 

Community 
We strengthen connection by working together to create shared purpose and meaningful relationships. 

Welcoming 
We provide something for everyone where inclusion, accessibility, and service facilitate belonging. 

Innovation 
We stay curious, seek feedback, and anticipate the needs of our community. 

Integrity 
We entrust everyone to do the right thing even when it’s hard or no one is watching. 

Joy 
We strive to be the best part of everyone’s day where having fun is a priority.   

Let's Move

Movement means more than fitness or competition—it’s about finding what feels right for you. Whether it’s playing a sport, lifting weights, spending time outdoors, gaming, or simply taking a mindful walk, we believe everyone deserves a way to move that fits their life, their goals, and their identity. Let’s Move is our invitation to explore, connect, and discover joy in motion—on your own terms, in your own way.

Something for Everyone

We celebrate the idea that recreation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re looking for competition, relaxation, social connection, personal growth, or just a break in your day, there’s a place for you here. Our spaces and programs are designed to meet a wide range of interests, abilities, and goals. Something for Everyone reflects our commitment to creating an environment where every student can find their own way to engage and thrive. Programs/services include: 

• Open Recreation
• Fitness Equipment
• Group Fitness
• Personal Training 
• Outdoor Connection: Equipment Rental, Trips & Green Bikes
• Climbing Gym
• EZONE: Esports & Gaming
• Intramural Sports
• Sport Clubs
• Instructional Programs
• Mitchell Hall Pool
• Special Events

Everyone Welcome

You don’t need to be an athlete, have prior experience, or meet a certain fitness level to take part. Our programs and spaces are built on the belief that recreation is for every student—whether you’re trying something new, building healthy habits, or just looking for a fun way to connect. Everyone Welcome means no barriers, no prerequisites—just an open invitation to move, play, and belong.

Every BODY Welcome

At Rec Sports, everyone is welcome to move, explore, and connect without pressure to change their bodies or meet a specific standard. Past experiences shaped by comparison or expectation can affect how people show up, so we aim to create an environment that feels supportive, accessible, and free from judgment. Health is not defined by appearance, but by how people care for themselves. Choice, accessibility, and opportunities for enjoyable, meaningful movement are at the heart of Rec Sports.

For Students, by Students

UWL Rec Sports is powered by students, for students. With more than 200 student employees serving in roles that range from officiating and fitness instruction to facility operations and outdoor leadership, our programs are built on peer-to-peer support and connection. This student-driven model not only provides valuable jobs and leadership opportunities, but also ensures that the experiences we create are designed with the student perspective at the center. For Students, By Students means every part of Rec Sports is shaped by the community it serves.

An Active Tradition

UWL Rec Sports is one of the most popular programs on campus, with more than 86% of UWL students engaging with Rec Sports every year. At the heart of campus life, Rec Sports brings students together through movement, connection, and fun. When you join Rec Sports, you’re joining a community that most UWL students are already part of—and one that’s always ready to welcome you.

Mens Corpusque

UWL’s official motto, mens corpusque (“mind and body”), reflects an educational philosophy that recognizes each student as a whole person and aspires to enhance both mind and body through the search for knowledge, truth, and meaning. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle supports that mission by helping students perform better both in and out of the classroom.

PERMANENT Model of Well-Being

This model, created by the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being at UW-Superior, has adopted three domains of Martin Seligman’s PERMA Model, and has been expanded to include six new domains that encompass a more “mind, body, spirit,” or holistic, approach to well-being. Each domain of this model is backed by established scientific evidence and teachable/learnable skills that have been shown to increase an individual’s well-being.

• Present Moment Awareness
• Emotional Intelligence
• Relationships
• Meaning
• Achievement
• Needed Sleep
• Exercise
• Nutrition
• Thinking

NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, is the leading resource for professional and student development, education, and research in collegiate recreational sports.  

WIRSA, the Wisconsin Intramural Recreational Sports Association, fosters and enhances the quality of collegiate recreational programs in various settings throughout the state of Wisconsin. 

AORE , the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education is an organization developed by and for outdoor recreation and education professionals and students.