"Sports as a Way of Life" Programs Getting Underway
In the past three or four weeks you've had a very busy schedule, what with academic course registration, settling into campus, etc. Now it's time to get organized with your friends in your mountain groups, form teams, participate in programs and finally get rid of that pre-semester stress.
By now you all are probably aware of how the ''Sports as a Way of Life'' program works.
But just to remind everyone, as of the 2010 fall semester all students have been assigned to specific "mountain groups" by the Sports Center (with the help of the Computer Center).
The groups are: Ağrı, Davraz, Erciyes, Ilgaz, Nemrut, Palandöken, Toros and Uludağ.
Students have the responsibility of organizing within their groups to form teams in basketball, football and volleyball in order to compete in intramural tournaments during the fall and spring semesters. Students can also participate in individual sport tournaments such as badminton, squash, table tennis and tennis, and have the opportunity to take part in runs and other special events held each semester.
How to Get Organized
It's quite simple. You can go to https://stars.bilkent.edu.tr/srs/ and follow the services menu. Get in touch with others who would be interested in forming a basketball, football or volleyball team. In any mountain group, you can form more than one team. For example, Ağrı could have football teams 1,2,3,4, etc. You can also select a group leader and a team captain to help with the organization. You can get the names of those students who want to be group leaders or captains from the Sports Center.
Once you form your team, the rest is easy. Just bring the team roster to the Sports Center, and your team will be put into the schedule.
What will you gain by being in this program? Here are a few of many reasons to participate in "Sports as a Way of Life":
First of all, you will be exercising for your health and for your heart.
You can use sports as means to relieve stress, which will in turn improve your academic performance.
You will have have a chance to be part of a group and a team, and widen your network.
If you are a second-year student, you will receive points for GE250.
The programs you can participate in are:
A) Team Sports
Basketball
Football
Volleyball
Tournaments will be organized, and your team will play a minimum of three matches.
B) Individual Participation
1) "Learning to play" courses in badminton, squash, table tennis and tennis are offered every semester. There, you can learn and develop the basic skills of the sport of your choice.
2) You can also participate in continuing programs such as aerobics/step and Pilates to improve your overall fitness.
3) Sports festivals are held twice a year, featuring sports, exercise, music and lots of fun. Don't miss them.
At the end of the academic year, the winners in each category of the "Sports as a Way of Life" program are determined, with awards given to the top finishers. Plus, the names and photographs of the winners will be published in Bilkent News and on the university website, and posted in all Sports Halls on the Bilkent campus.
Now it's your turn: get ready and get moving. For information and assistance, you can contact the Sports Center staff.
a) Main Campus: Ahsen Küçükdurmaz Tel: 0535 277 07 03
e-mail: ahsen@bilkent.edu.tr
Selma Ömer
Ulaş Bektaş
b) East Campus: Kağan Eynak
Tel: 0532 324 93 52
e-mail: eynak@bilkent.edu.tr
Ercan Turgut