ROGERS JAFFARIAN
PRIDE STAFF WRITER

Located between Campus Way and the two new baseball fields the M. Gordon Clarke Field House or “The Clarke,” as it’s known to most students, holds many events and activities for CSUSM students and faculty.

“Last year, we had 1,300 student events in the building,” Jamie Rose, events coordinator for The Clarke, said.

The campus constructed The Clarke in 2003 and the building is the designated fitness center for students and Cougar athletes.

“The gym is for all students – a totally student fee funded building,” Rose said.

Requirements to join The Clarke include a “sign-up for membership, scan card and review policy instruction,” Rose continued. The athlete to non-athlete student population among Clarke members is about half and half.

According to the campus Sports Information Director, Kyle Trembley, and Assistant Sports Information Director, Brett Campfield, The Clarke’s location will become more visible after the construction of a soon-to-be-built arena. Both Trembley and Campfield look forward to the future of CSUSM athletic programs.

“[Campus athletics have] grown rapidly in the past few years” Trembley said. “In 2005, only three sports were on campus: track and field, golf and cross-country,” Trembley continued.

Students receive free admission to all CSUSM sports events with campus ID, but not all games are held on campus. Basketball home games are relocated to MiraCosta Community College and local high schools.

The Cougar Athletics Department is not huge, but The Clarke and its staff have much to offer. The Clarke is composed of three departments: the ASI Campus Recreation Department, The Clarke University Student Union and various organizations. The ASI Campus Recreation Department includes Intramural sports, chosen team set-ups with friends and peers. CSUSM may not have National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) football, but it does have Powder Puff, a series of football games played by women.

ASI also includes excursions like paintball and deep sea fishing (though these activities cost a small fee). Fitness classes are also available for students to attend.

The Clarke and Student Union run the building operations, which include handling events and the Fitness Center.

Organizations are exclusive; many include high school athletes with partial scholarships, including the CSUSM Athletics Department, baseball, volleyball, track and field and golf.

Hugo Lecomte has acted as Director of Campus Recreation for the past four years.

“[ASI’s] mission is to promote wellness and physical activity for students, staff and faculty,” Lecomte explained.

Whether students want to watch a live sports game in their royal blue and white campus gear, join one of the 14 intercollegiate sports teams or sit in The Clarke’s Cougar Den and watch TV, the building offers a healthy, fun place to live and thrive during your college years.