University of Alabama Outdoor Recreation holds rock climbing competition at Witt Center

By Moseley Mason

February 7th, 2023

Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center (Photo by: Moseley Mason)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The University of Alabama Outdoor Recreation’s 15th annual T-Town Pull Down was held Saturday, Feb. 4 at the climbing wall in the Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center.

Students of varying skill sets arrived at 8 a.m. to compete in various rock climbing competitions throughout the day.

“We have two sides of the competition; we have the boulder competition and the top rope,” Hannah Shead, a sophomore volunteer for University of Alabama Outdoor Recreation, said.

“Top rope is here with the blades, where you are connected to one of the Outdoor Recreation Staff members…top rope is for much higher heights than boulder,” Shead said. “For bouldering, it is a lot shorter, you don't wear a harness or any protective safety gear, but you do have crash pads.”

Indoor rock climbing has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, according to the Climbing Business Journal.

“I think (rock climbing) is really getting a lot more popular … I really enjoy it,” Charles McBride, a senior at Auburn University said.

2021 also saw the highest net increase of indoor climbing gyms opened in the United States, despite the pandemic, the website read.

McBride said he traveled to participate in the competition. “It's a great way to just let out some energy. It's a full body exercise,” he said.

Students participating in the T-Town Pull Down had the option to compete in the top-rope competition, the bouldering competition, or in both.

“It's been really fun to see not just people from our school climbing here, but people from Auburn and JSU,” Shead said. “We've had some of our hardest routes get climbed in this heat of the competition.”

Prizes were given to the climbers with the highest scores at the end of the day. Climbers with the highest combined scores held the title of Event Champion.

“I thought it was really fun, mainly because there were new sets and props put up. They reset the whole gym and that was super cool. I got to try new stuff,” Chance Jones, a four-year climber and participant in the morning’s bouldering competition, said. “I try to (climb) at least three times a week… It's just a sport I choose to do.”

Saturday of service: UA students volunteer across Tuscaloosa

By Moseley Mason

March 6th, 2023

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama Center for Service and Leadership held their bi-annual community service event on Saturday, March 4, at the Student Center.

The event, titled Hands on Tuscaloosa, started with volunteers meeting at the Student Center at 8 a.m. Volunteers then met with leaders of different non-profit groups on campus, traveled by bus to serve at different sites around the city and convened at the Student Center at noon to reflect on the day.

Students assist Habitat for Humanity to repair a home in West Tuscaloosa (Photo by: Matthew Stumpf)

“I really enjoyed serving with Volunteer Bama. They give us a lot of options as far as different sites we can go to,”Asia Smith, a nursing major and volunteer, said. “It definitely gives you a wide range of what the Tuscaloosa community actually looks like … I didn't realize how much poverty Tuscaloosa was in.”

Those who served could volunteer at the community soup kitchen, Moundville Archeological Park and other locations with several on-campus service organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, which assisted in repairing an existing home in the Tuscaloosa area.

“I love Habitat for Humanity because you can see in real time the impact of what you’re doing. Every nail you hammer in is getting somebody one step closer to having that house,” Matthew Stumpf, Habitat for Humanity University of Alabama Chapter president, said. “(Service days) are so rewarding … they give you a perspective to more than just UA.”

Some students who volunteered found new opportunities to expand their community service experience by serving in Jeremiah’s Community Garden.

“We replanted some garlic, we got a bed ready for some new stuff to plant and we refertilized some trees. It was really fun,” Amiyah Smith, another volunteer student, said. “I do plan to open a non-profit, but the garden really inspired me, maybe I’ll start my own garden, too.”