USU Wellness Award goes to Kevin Kobe
Kevin Kobe, Utah State University’s Campus Recreation director, feels that having a healthy lifestyle should not be difficult. He said, “It’s not a huge secret to be healthy. People think that there’s a secret to it, but just by doing some basic things it keeps you healthier.”
Kobe thinks that being healthier doesn’t have to be a huge change, all at once, but a gradual change. He said, “If you feel like you want to make some changes maybe start drinking a glass of water a day.” He feels that you need to break down the changes you want to make. Kobe said, “Break down your nutrition, your exercise, and your overall wellness.” He feels that breaking these areas down will make your goals more manageable and easier to accomplish.
Growing up in a family with 6 boys, Kevin Kobe was active from the beginning. Competitive sports and recreation played a huge role in his upbringing in Wisconsin. When he moved to Utah after high school, the thrill of outdoor recreation grew into a way of life for him. Skiing was the main motive that beckoned him to the intermountain west and still plays a role in his life.
Kobe speaks passionately about increasing awareness that one of the most amazing aspects of Utah State is where it’s located: between two wilderness areas (Naomi and Wellsville) and lots of public land for recreating. He is someone who can now speak for outdoor recreation at the campus level.
“The students deserve a broader definition of recreation,” he says.
Campus Recreation is an umbrella term which involves not only outdoor recreation but club sports, aquatic, fitness programs, and intramural activities. Kevin says that his job has, “broadened my view of wellness.”
Kobe suggests that students get involved in the programs offered through the recreation center to assist their wellness goals. He said he feels that people need to find something that’s fun for them but that keeps them working hard.
Kobe said, “All of our programs are going to make you move. You’re not going to just dabble in it, you’re going to sweat.”
He said he feels that if students really put themselves out there and search through the programs offered through campus recreation they will find something that they really enjoy doing. Kobe said, “When students get into something for the first time, all of a sudden it’s almost like they discover another half, or part of themselves.”
“I believe you’re happier when you’re healthy and being happy and really getting the most out of life is one of life’s greatest pleasures,” said Kobe. He would like to see everybody make a lifestyle change toward be healthier. He said he feels that by doing this you can find the joy that comes from being healthy, especially when you’re having fun in the process.
He said, “It’s really cool to set people on these courses for life long health and wellness.” One of the goals Kobe works towards along with his entire staff is to help students get on a course of healthy living and continue down that course through out their entire lives.
Recently, Kevin along with university administration and ASUSU representatives, are striving to expand students’ idea of wellness by traveling the country in search of the most promising model to create a new Student Athletic Center on USU main campus. Around 40 school and community recreation centers have been scouted for their use of rock gyms, exercise classes, social commons areas, and even artificial, turf grass playing fields for indoor and outdoor intramural sports.
“It’s going to be a state-of-the-art Taj Mahal of athletic centers,” Kobe said, with a big smile. “It will definitely be the central facility that will really build the fabric that can create contact between students like no other building has done. Period. There’s something in it for everybody.”
He described with vigor that this structure will give students a main zone to spend time and be active together. Construction plans for the new rec center are underway. There are high hopes for a referendum to be initiated amongst the student body in the coming school year. Kevin says that “a central recreation center could become the catalyst to get other projects and programs completed.” He is pleased with the volume of students who receive training and experience through employment with campus recreation and is eager to create more opportunities. He has been a tireless advocate for student involvement.
Kevin’s enthusiasm as a leader in campus recreation is embodied in his personal lifestyle. His profession has helped him get back to his roots.
“Being introduced to club sports and aquatics has gotten me involved with triathlons.” He is an avid cyclist, runner, winter recreation enthusiast, and disc golfer. Kevin even plans to make a cross country bike tour next year.
“Fun motivates me,” he says. “Pushing yourself is a warped sense of fun! I guess one could say I have a warped sense of fun!”
Kevin Kobe models a happy and healthy lifestyle, motivates others, and has implemented policy and opportunities to help create a culture of wellness at USU. He remains approachable and has passion to help all audiences change their health behaviors.
— contributed by Mandi Burton and Karlee Ulrich