The Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation Program is gearing up this fall semester for another busy year with a larger group of student athletes, two additions to the staff, more community centered activities and a new focus on updating the recreational facilities.
Themy Adachi, director of APER, says one of the things she’ll be pushing is providing good customer service and access for the outside community to the Mills campus pool, gymnasium and fitness center. In early August they took a step in that direction with the start of renovations of the fitness center.
The renovations, set to wrap up by mid-October, include creating a free motion stretch area covered with mats to take the place of the stereo system and cabinets towards the back end of the center. They will also be reorganizing the storage of equipment and looking to purchase low-cost upgrades of the already ancient workout machines, according to Alic Shook, the latest addition to the APER staff.
Shook, a Mills ’05 alum, joined the staff in June, replacing Catie Anderson as the operations coordinator, a position second in command to Adachi. While Shook acknowledges that September has been a busy month, he’s excited to join the staff.
“One of the things I love about this department is that not only is APER involved in the different programs on campus but they’re also involved in the community,” Shook said.
Cyclone Kickoff, which has been renamed the Girls Sports Day, will take place on Sept. 20. Student athletes will participate and lead sports clinics for disadvantaged girls ages 8 to 12. Among the event’s sponsers is Whole Foods, who will provide lunch for all of the participants.
Another new dynamic on staff is Crew Head Coach Angela Badran, who stepped up from her original role as assistant coach on the crew team to replace long-time veteran Wendy Frank. Practice has already begun for the fall crew team, whose first regatta should take place in Petaluma on Oct. 5 at the Wine Country Rowing Classic.
Soccer, on the other hand, has been in full swing with two matches already under their belt. Collette Bowler, head soccer coach, says that while the Cyclones weren’t able to secure a victory with either game, they’re definitely a step ahead of last season with a goal scored in each game.
“The focus for the team this year is to be the most fit ever. We ended last year on such a high note that our focus is to start on a higher note,” says Bowler. “Our new approach is to focus on fitness and they’re all motivated to do that.”
The soccer team moved in early on Aug. 18 to get in two extra weeks of rigorous training that included two practices per day. Their next home match will take place on Saturday Sept. 27 at 3 p.m., at the Mills soccer field.
The volleyball team, who also moved in early to get a kick-start on training, secured their first wins at the Wildcat Invitational during a Labor Day weekend trip to Oregon. Their next home game is the Mills College Alumnae Match Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
The cross country team will have their first on-campus Mills Invitational this Saturday, Sept. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Students who volunteer at the event and support the team will receive a free lunch.
