Meet the Candidates: Athletics & Campus Recreation Executive Director
Mikenna Slader
Hi, I’m Mikenna Slater, and I’m from Wellsville, so from the Valley. I also am a junior here at Utah State, and I’m a pre-vet major running for the athletics and campus executive director.
In your words, how does campus recreation contribute to mental health of campus?
For me, I think that campus recreation really helps people just have more fun at college. I know that sometimes a lot of people think that it’s all about just getting good grades and doing well, but for me, being sporty or doing sports and having recreation helps me just have fun while enjoying school life.
In what way will you bridge the gap between athletics and students through this role as athletics and campus recreation director?
For me, I want to really help just get everyone involved. I want to get more students at the events. For me, I love going to the games and everything like that, so just really reaching out, getting people involved and showing them that there are some awesome Aggies that are really good student-athletes too.
If the university chose to sanction another sport, what would it be and why?
I think for me, if there was another sport, I would probably say maybe skateboarding or something. I know there’s a lot of kids on campus with skateboards or longboards. Maybe they would get into that.
Natalie Baker
My name is Natalie Baker. I’m running for USUSA athletics and campus recreation executive director. I’m a sophomore, a marketing major, and I’m from Tacoma, Washington.
In your words, how does campus recreation contribute to mental health of campus?
Campus recreation, in my opinion, contributes to the overall health of every student because our campus recreation programs provide so much support in so many different areas for students. For example, intramural sports, nutrition help, any sort of wellness — that all falls under campus recreation, and all of those are super important for student health.
In what way will you bridge the gap between athletics and students through this role as athletics and campus recreation director?
I think the role of athletics and campus recreation director is all about raising awareness for students about sporting events and then incentivizing them to attend those events, whether that’s through tailgates, giveaways, that sort of thing, and then also just helping students find a place where they feel like they really belong in athletics, so that comes with not just promoting football and basketball but every aspect of campus athletics as well.
If the university chose to sanction another sport, what would it be and why?
If USU were to sanction another sport, I think that they would sanction hockey. I think that hockey has become really popular in Utah the last couple years, especially with the Mammoth coming to Salt Lake, and so that would be a really fun one to see our students support more.
Caleb Burns
Hi, I’m Caleb Burns. I am a sophomore here at Utah State studying psychology, minoring in disability studies and mental health advocacy and awareness. I am from Skeen, Texas.
In your words, how does campus recreation contribute to mental health of campus?
I think it really provides an opportunity to get students both outdoors but also connected with their students through intramurals and Campus Rec. We have a very new building with brand-new facilities, and it’s a great place — very positive environment to connect with other students.
In what way will you bridge the gap between athletics and students through this role as athletics and campus recreation director?
How will I bridge the gap between athletics and students? Continue the promotion of HURD Premium. It’s a great opportunity for students to fundraise for other students and give the opportunity to give back immediately to them through watch parties, tailgates and just the overall game experience.
If the university chose to sanction another sport, what would it be and why?
Okay, if Utah State could sanction other sport for both men and women, I would choose rugby. I’ve met our club rugby team. They’re extremely passionate. They’re also pretty good. We compete very well with the U and BYU, and I think those are our two main competitors, so go Aggies.