Cedars, March 2019

by Josh Stevens S ports and activity classes offered at Cedarville are benefiting students on campus in a variety of ways. Activity classes ranging from tennis, backpacking and disc golf give students the chance to be physically active, learn about a sport or activity and gain new, fun experiences for college credit. Mark Matthews, director of Campus Recreation and Facilities, has served on campus since 1982, and has enjoyed teach- ing many sports and activity classes over the years. He teaches racquetball, backpacking and rock climbing and will begin teaching disc golf this spring. Matthews said these classes can benefit all students for many dif- ferent reasons. “They introduce students to a wide va- riety of sports and lifetime recreational ac- tivities,” he said. Matthews highlighted multiple avenues that allow students to benefit from these classes. The students learn more about a sport, and correctly teaching the sport is one of the main aspects of Matthews’ job. “I love teaching sports skills to students and seeing them learn how to play a sport at a higher level,” he said. “It’s the coach down inside of me.” Students also benefit by gaining addi- tional skills in the sport or activity. Some play volleyball even though they may not have had the ability to play competitively in college. Others, however, learn to rock climb or backpack even when they have no experience doing so. These classes give stu- dents a way to learn and enjoy the activities they provide. Students can also benefit through having fun with other students. Matthews described it as the “social aspect” of these classes. These classes give students oppor- tunities to interact and compete with oth- er students, and can allow them to make friends along the way. Of all the benefits these classes can have for the students at Cedarville, perhaps the most important is the community. Mat- thews believes that these classes can be used to influence the community at Cedarville in a positive way. “They’re open to all students, athletes and non-athletes alike,” Matthews said. Though students might think these classes are geared toward specific, sports-re- lated majors, Matthews says the students and majors represented in the classes are more “random,” meaning any student, whether they are an exercise science, com- munications or engineering major, can par- ticipate. Matthews says the students benefit by adding more exercise into their schedule. Taking these classes can give students a rou- tine to remain physically active, something they can continue even after they graduate. While the general education course, Physi- cal Activity and the Christian Life (PACL), encourages students to be healthy and phys- ically fit, Matthews says these sports classes can further that way of living for students. “We are stewards of the bodies God has given to us,” Matthews said. “And we are re- sponsible to steward our bodies well.” Matthews also made it clear that these classes are ultimately used to follow the commands that God has given us about our bodies and about fellowship with other be- lievers. “We are not interested in fostering a culture of self-absorption and self-focus,” he said, “but are rather interested in fos- tering a culture of godly stewardship, one which honors and glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.” Joshua Stevens is a junior journalism ma- jor and sports writer for Cedars. He enjoys rooting for the Tennessee Titans and listen- ing to old-school music. March 2019 18 SPORTS Students Reap Benefits of Sports Classes Online M.B.A. M.S.N. M.Min. Residential M.Div. M.Min. Pharm.D. Ready to take the next step? We’ve created accelerated completion plans for 10 popular majors (with more on the way!) that allow you to complete your bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. in as little as four years, saving you time and money. Interested in a different grad program? Talk to your advisor about customizing a plan just for you! Access the free, fast-track application just for Cedarville students: cedarville.edu/gradapply