Hampton University News

HPER Chair Dr. Chevelle Hall stands with students in Munich, Germany in route to Innsbruck, Austria.

HU HPER student Jordan Bridges (second from left) stands with other volunteers on the ski slopes in Innsbruck Austria. 

HPER students volunteer at Winter Youth Olympics

Students from the Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Department traveled to Innsbruck, Austria to participate in the Winter Youth Olympics Jan. 13-23. This was the first assembly of its kind to host an international, multi-sport and cultural festival event, celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games.

The students traveled with HPER Chair Dr. Chevelle Hall and volunteered in various capacities throughout the games. Several medal events were demonstrated at the event, including ice hockey, figure skating, alpine skiing, and snowboarding. 

Junior Sport Management Major Dymond Bush volunteered on the Ice Crew in the Curling Hall.

“I scraped ice and shoveled snow to make the ice playable. The ice had to be smooth with no snow on it so that the curling rocks could slide faster and curl more,” Bush said. “I learned a lot about facilities management, as well as the fact that winter sport facilities require a lot of care and attention.”

Hall wanted students, a total of seven took the trip, to gain experiences that will sustain them after their time at HU.

“My goal was to provide an outstanding experience for the students,” she said. “I also wanted them to network, and they did.”

Hall said the students enjoyed the variety of the opening ceremony.

“It was great seeing all the countries represented and the U. S. got the biggest applause,” she said.

To participate in the event, Hall contacted its Human Resources and Volunteer Director to make arrangements for students to volunteer. There were more than 1, 400 volunteers and 70 countries were represented. In addition to Bush, HPER students Omari Miles, Jordan Bridges, Phil Faxio, Ashleigh Eubanks, Sunday Bejide and Taryn Williams took the trip.

Hall said she was pleased with the overall experience, especially for students’ sake.

“They have walked away with friends from several countries as well as internship possibilities,” she said. “The goal of HPER is to graduate our students to employment.”

Leha Byrd