Last Saturday afternoon, the University of San Diego launched its inaugural Wellness Olympics, transforming the Wellness Center Multi-Activity Center Gym and outdoor area into a hub of competition, fun and nonstop energy.
Students, coaches, athletics staff, and recreation and wellness team members gathered together not just to compete, but to connect. Across 10 fast-moving events — from pickleball to ping pong to beach volleyball … and just about everything in-between — spirited competition underscored a strong sense of camaraderie.
“The goal was to build stronger connections between the general student body and our athletics department, and to create more energy, school spirit and support as we head into next season,” said Kimmel Yeager, director of the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center.
That goal played out in real time: both in conversations and unexpected partnerships. For USD men’s basketball head coach J.R. Blount, those moments matter.
“Events like this allow us to be seen, and to connect with other groups on campus,” Blount said. “There’s a lot of positive energy [at the event] and that’s exactly what we want to see and hear at our games in the future.”
"Events like this allow us to be seen, and to connect with other groups on campus ..."
By the end of the event, the scoreboard felt secondary. What mattered was something more lasting: a heightened sense of community, and momentum for meaningful cross-campus collaboration in the future.
— USD News Center