Everything Auburn Podcast: Get in the Game

Auburn senior Jake Yohn didn’t just choose the referee life — he inherited it.

“I’ve always felt at home here, just really enjoy the campus, the people and what Auburn's all about,” said Yohn.

As a student assistant in Auburn’s competitive sports program, the Montgomery, Alabama native is responsible for daily venue and equipment operations, as well as officiating intramural and club sports games.

Wearing the referee stripes runs in the family.  His father David held the same position at Auburn back in the 80’s.

“It’s been cool to do the whole full-circle family thing,” Yohn said.

Today’s collegiate competitive sports aren’t your daddy’s pickup flag football — they’re faster, fiercer and on a whole different level. Across the nation, intramural and club sports are now millions of students strong and gaining sway.

According to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, more than half of college students say it was the rec center that influenced their choice of school during college searches. Studies show two-thirds of U.S. college students utilize their campus rec centers each year, most on a weekly basis.

This rise in popularity has given campus recreation departments increasing value among students and stakeholders. 

“Honestly, I saw the Sportsplex facility when I first came and visited and the ability to offer competitive sports there is really what sold me,” said Keegan Ashbee, who arrived at Auburn five years ago to become the director of competitive sports.

Auburn’s recreational facilities are second to none. The 240,000 square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center has a 1/3-mile indoor track, two 50-foot climbing towers, six basketball courts, weight and cardio spaces, group fitness studios, a leisure pool, tennis and racquetball courts, and more.  The Sportsplex and intramural fields offer more than 15 acres of lighted green space, multipurpose fields, two softball fields, and sand volleyball courts. There’s also Auburn Outdoors where students can rent tents, bikes, kayaks and sleeping bags for adventures in nature. 

“We give tours daily – it’s a major stop on the college tour process,” Ashbee said.

COMPETITIVE SPORTS GAINING TRACTION

Auburn has more than 40 intramural sports, everything from flag football and basketball to sand volleyball, soccer  and more.  There are 44 club sports, involving numerous student organizations competing against other university teams across the nation. Club sports include baseball, bass fishing, ice hockey, lacrosse, pickleball, rowing and ultimate frisbee, to name a few.

Participation in Auburn’s competitive sports program is open to all currently enrolled students, regardless of skill level.

Both Yohn and Ashbee say emerging technologies like digital group fitness management tools, live steaming of championship games and social media are elevating intramural and club sport popularity.

“Now, I see a lot of Instagram pages and more connection with the campus,” said Yohn. “We have a lot of different organizations involved and more buy-in from friends and family.”

Last year, almost a quarter of Auburn’s student population participated in intramural and club sports.

“Sports brings out something different in people. There's a lot of passion for sure,” Ashbee said.

A BIGGER PURPOSE

For Ashbee, it’s about more than just the game.

The Delaware native’s main role is hiring, training and developing employees and student assistants like Yohn to run programs in the evenings.

Ashbee’s mission is about purpose and possibility – helping students see success both on and off the field. He says it’s not just about playing sports; it’s about learning how to solve problems, lead people and develop life and career skills that matter most.

“I can highlight student after student and their personal growth,” said Ashbee.  “They go from keeping to themselves to being out front and leading. Those are the things I love.”

Yohn, a political science major, is one of about 100 students employed by the Rec Center. He aspires for a career in politics and says it’s translatable qualities like collaboration and time management that will stand out on his resume and open doors.

“It's such a unique job that teaches you so much,” said Yohn.  “You learn how to talk to people, how to make connections and really just empathy.”

A GREAT TIME TO GET INVOLVED

Aside from competitive sports, Ashbee says there are unlimited ways to get active – and the month of January is a great time to turn it up a notch.

“Physical activity really helps reset you,” explained Ashbee.

The Rec Center offers about 80 group fitness classes each week, including Tiger Pump, yoga, Cycle 45 and more.

“If you're new to fitness, we've got personal trainers, wellness coaches and class instructors that can help you feel more comfortable in the gym,” explained Ashbee.

Ashbee says the Rec Center’s website is your one-stop-shop for getting in the game.

“Whether you want to create a competitive sports team, join a team as a free agent, take a group fitness class, or go kayaking, that is the place to go,” Ashbee said.

For club sports, check out the RWC Connect registration website. For intramural sports, the IMLeagues website is your go-to for finding the sport you’re interested in playing.

If becoming an Auburn competitive sports program assistant like Yohn is your calling, applications are available online. 

“You grow relationships,” said Yohn. “You get to know each other by name, and those connections make the whole experience better.”