Staying Active in Community

Although it’s one of the smallest residences on the University of Waterloo campus, Conrad Grebel University College still has countless ways for students to jump into the action with athletics.

Grebel’s Student Council maintains a private fitness room students can access any time of day or night, and includes free weights, a rowing machine, pull up bars, and other standard gym equipment.

The gym is not the only avenue students have to stay active at Grebel. Fourth-year Math student Cam McMahon is one of two Athletic representatives on the Larger Leadership Team this term. “I first became an athletics rep because it provided the perfect opportunity to combine my love of sports with my desire to get more involved with Grebel,” he shared. “Now in my third term in this role, I continue to find enjoyment in devising creative athletics events for students to enjoy.”

Athletic Reps set up intramural teams through the University of Waterloo’s intramural program. The cost of participating is included in Grebel student fees, and there are a variety of sports open to all skill levels, like volleyball, basketball, hockey, and soccer. The friendly community at Grebel can make it less daunting to join an intramural team with other Grebelites. Sign-ups happen in the first week of the term, and thanks to the Athletic Rep enthusiasm, 47% of first years signed up for at least one intramural team this term. 78 Grebelites are playing intramurals this fall, with nearly half of them playing Ultimate Frisbee.

“I knew I was going to enjoy the gym, but I did not see myself playing intramurals,” said Evan de Bruijn, a first year Environment, Resources, and Sustainability student. When intramural sign-ups opened this term, Evan decided to join an Ultimate Frisbee team. “I’ve really enjoyed chatting with people that I usually wouldn’t hang with and meeting new people and upper years too.”

As a fourth-year Grebel student studying Pure Math, Michael Wu wasn't always involved in athletics, but when he began prioritizing physical activity, it was easy for him to join one of Grebel’s innertube water polo teams. “It’s a fun way to get exercise and connect with new people,” he said.

In addition to facilitating intramurals, Athletic reps maintain the games lounge space and run additional sports-related events, like Superbowl watch parties. “We are bringing back Conrad Coaches,” Cam announced. In his first term as Athletic rep, Cam and his partner introduced this event. “Conrad Coaches brings Grebelites together by asking students to dress up in fancy attire to go cheer for Grebel’s intramural teams.” Cam and his partner this term, Joseph Schuurman, also plan to run the Grebelbowl, a football game between first years and upper-year students that has been a tradition at Grebel for decades.

Cam played sports his whole life before coming to Grebel. “I knew I wanted to find fun ways to stay active when I entered university,” he said. “I never anticipated getting involved this heavily in a leadership role! It's certainly been a unique experience that has allowed me to make fantastic connections with my fellow sporty Grebelites.”

5 students in suits wearing sunglasses in a serious pose — Cam McMahon (left) and other Grebelites dressed for Conrad Coaches

Elly Vandermeer, a fourth year Biomedical Sciences student, swam on the Waterloo Warriors varsity swim team in her first year while living at Grebel. “The ‘Fill-the-Table' tradition has a special place in my heart because it’s the main way that I connected with the community as a varsity athlete,” she said. “The people I sat with during mealtimes were always very interested to hear how my swimming was going and I was delighted to answer their questions.”

As she was reflecting on her first year, one story stood out to Elly. “It was a few weeks after move-in, when a group of Grebelites came to cheer me on at a swim meet on campus,” she said. “A few people I regularly had breakfast with after morning swim practices encouraged me to share the details of the meet. My roommate made a poster and had people sign it, which she brought to the meet, and then we put on our door afterwards.”

A sign on a door that says "just keep swimming Elly" and other people have signed their name — Grebelites made this sign to cheer on Elly at her swim meet.

“I had the biggest cheering squad of anyone at the meet, and I was so blessed by their support!” Elly said. “I felt that I was a valued member of the community, and my talents and uniqueness were not only accepted, but were celebrated.”

From varsity athletes to the casual gym user, there is space and opportunity for every level of physical activity at Grebel, and many people to encourage and support each other. Participating in athletics at Grebel is a great way to stay active, both physically and in the community.