Your campus HQ for fitness and fun.

Here at the Campus Recreation department, we'll get you going. From team sports to personal fitness to active fun, you'll find it all here.

We're located in the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. The Center offers 170,000 square feet of indoor recreational space plus an outdoor social area that includes The Falls (a zero entry pool with 7-foot waterfalls), two sand volleyball courts, and leisure spaces. So come check us out and find the active way you want to live.

FAMILY RECREATION HOURS

In pursuit of cultivating the healthy student, we deliver opportunities that foster lifelong well-being through programs, services, and facilities. We focus on developing an inclusive and safe environment that allows students to explore social, emotional, and physical well-being through programs such as intramural sports, group fitness, personal training, outdoor adventure, sport clubs, spirit, band, and the Rotunda yearbook.

APPLICATION

If you are a student interested in working at the Dedman Center, click the button below to be redirected to SMU Handshake to view active job vacancies and apply.

NOW SEEKING CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS TO BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AND DEDMAN OPERATIONS ASSISTANTS.

APPLY HERE

If unable to access job announcement in SMU Handshake, please email dchamber@smu.edu. 

AQUATICS

Lifeguard

• Responsible for maintaining surveillance of the Dedman Recreation Center recreational pool and outdoor fountain area to enforce rules, prevent injury and perform American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR-PR and First Aid techniques as needed
• This position requires a commitment to work two shifts per week at the Dedman Recreation Center Recreational Pool and at least one weekend per month.
• This position also requires a current certification in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.  

OPERATIONS

Operation Assistant

The Operations Assistant position is responsible for front line operations, organization, cleanliness, and safety within Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports and the included exterior premises (Falls and Sand Volleyball Courts).  Dedman Operations provides year-round employment, on-campus convenience, work scheduling flexibility, advancement with positive performance, and marketable hospitality/customer service resume experience.  Early morning, nights, and weekends may be required. Position Qualifications are:

• Strong Customer Service skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Approachability, enthusiastic, and friendly; proactive and ability to anticipate patrons' needs
• Federal Work Study will receive priority

Requirements of the position include but are not limited to:

• Adhere to and enforce standards and procedures set forth by the Dedman Center Membership Standards and Operations Area Employee Manual.
• Attend monthly meetings as scheduled
• Ability to lift and carry 45 lbs
• Work a minimum of 3 shifts/week

GROUP FITNESS

GX Instructors

Duties and Responsibilities:

Teach fun and exciting fitness classes at SMU. Must have a general understanding of all SMU group exercise and fitness policies and provide excellent customer service to all instructional class participants and patrons of the Recreation Center. Instruct fun and safe instructional classes in accordance with certifications and within experience and training. Flexible hours and in-house training.

Qualifications:

• High level of responsibility
• AFAA or ACE Group Exercise Certification
• Current CPR/AED Certifications

Previous experience teaching group exercise classes preferred.

Personal Training

SMU Personal Training program only employs trainers who have the following primary Personal Trainer Certifications: ACE, ACSM, AFAA, NSCA, Cooper Institute and NASM. This position is the highest-paying job for students on campus, and is in high demand. Completing Personal Trainer Prep does not, by any means, guarantee you of a job as a trainer for the SMU Personal Training program. Positions will be offered on a need-be basis each semester to select students who meet the criteria described above.

This position requires:

• Current Adult CPR certification
• One-on-one personal train
• Attend monthly meetings
• Work events and providing Orientation Sessions
• Keep Current Certification
• Attend two workshops in a year for CEC's/CEU's ("Continuing Education Credits/Continuing Education Units")

INTRAMURALS

Join the intramural program on the other side of the whistle. Enjoy an atmosphere where you get to make friends, make money, and make the call! No experience is necessary as all training is provided by the intramural program. You will just need to attend the trainings associated with each sport to enter the hiring process and be eligible for hire.* You will not need to complete an application prior to attending the first training session. Games are played Sunday-Thursday in the evenings and scheduling is very flexible. Officials are still able to participate on teams in the league.

All trainings will get started in Dedman Center Classroom 1 and athletic attire is required.

Basketball:

Wednesday, January 20, 6 - 9 p.m.

Tuesday, January 26, 7 - 9 p.m.

Wednesday, January 27, 6 - 9:30 p.m.

All required


Indoor Soccer:

Tuesday, February 2, 6 – 9 p.m.


Softball:

Wednesday, March 16, 6 – 9 p.m.

Please contact Bonnie Hainline with any questions or concerns.

*Attendance to training does not guarantee hire

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

SMU Outdoor Adventures (OA) is one of the Best Leadership Development Programs on Campus! We change lives and positively impact others. SMU OA transcends recreation and focuses on preparing future leaders for life after SMU. Whether designing and delivering outdoor recreational trips and workshops, mentoring and instructing peers, or working shifts at the Rental Shop and Climbing Wall, the SMU OA Leader is positively impacting the lives of others. We get to do this using fun, exciting and challenging activities like rock climbing, backpacking, canoeing, caving and more. And did we mention it's paid?

Outdoor experience is not the most important qualification; what is important is true motivation, a passion for the outdoors and the desire to teach others. Training and development opportunities are made available. Leadership opportunities are available year-round (if desired) extending throughout the university career or as long as is desired and is beneficial to the individual and the program. Leader training takes time, energy, commitment and dedication to the Leader Mission:
We, as Leaders of the SMU Outdoor Adventures program, strive to enrich ourselves, the SMU community and the program. We role model leadership by constantly building and maintaining interpersonal, educational and outdoor skills, a high level of self-awareness, and an atmosphere of excellence. We create an environment that improves lives and reaches beyond the program and ourselves.

Applications are accepted year-round, however, hiring of leaders will be determined by program needs at the start of fall and spring semesters. Vacancies will be advertised.

Interested in gaining life-long transferrable leadership skills, finding a community and impacting others positively?

Application Process:

1. Submit an online application via HANDSHAKE. Applications submitted incomplete will not be considered.
2. Application review by the Hiring Committee.
3. Interview by Hiring Committee.
4. Interview by program administrators.
5. Trip Leader applicants must complete the Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT) trip.

For any questions please contact the Outdoor Adventures Office at 214-768-9918, 214-768-4822 or email outdooradventures@smu.edu.

Main Desk Phone: 214-768-3374

Email: dedmancenter@smu.edu

Physical Address:
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports
Southern Methodist University
6000 Bush Ave
Dallas, TX 75205

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 750161
Dallas, TX 75275

PROFESSIONAL STAFF  Bonnie Hainline Director of Campus Recreation Ph: 214-768-3367 | bhainline@smu.edu

David Chambers

Associate Director of Operations

Ph: 214-768-4823 | dchamber@smu.edu 

Zack Jones

Assistant Director of Fitness

Ph: 214-768-4818 | zacharyj@smu.edu 

Dr. Albert Mitugo

Assistant Director, Outdoor Adventures 

Ph: 214-768-4822 | amitugo@smu.edu

Gabe Cruz

Assistant Director, Sport Programs

Ph: 214-768-6104 | gabrielc@smu.edu 

Angelie Lara

Assistant Director, Operations and Aquatics

Ph: 214-768-9916 | amlara@smu.edu

USING DEDMAN CENTER

What is required to purchase a membership or guest pass option?

• The membership or guest pass option must be sold to the individual that will be using and the individual must be 18 years of age or older and present an SMU, Dedman Center Member Card, or government issued photo ID to the front desk.

I attended SMU.  Is there a discounted membership?

•  Alumni (completed all academic requirements to earn a degree from SMU) are eligible for a discounted membership.  See Memberships.

Is there an option to purchase memberships or guest pass options online?

•  The Dedman Center’s Online Member Portal does permit the purchase of memberships and guest pass options online.  See Online Member Portal for more information and instructions.

I did not attend SMU.  Can I enroll for a membership?

•  The Dedman Center offers a variety of memberships and guest options for non-SMU affiliated individuals.  See Memberships.

I just want to use the indoor pool or climbing wall.  Is there a special membership of fee?

• Unfortunately, no.  Due to the design of the Dedman Center, a membership or guest pass option allows access to the entire facility and services provided.  Note, some services may have an additional charge. 

Can I use my Guest Pass Package for a friend or family member?

• Unfortunately, no.  Guest Pass Package is non-transferrable and only valid for the person it was sold.

Can I train in a private area if I do not want to work out in front of other people?

• Please let your trainer know and he/she can train you in a less exposed area of the gym or in a studio room (if it is available).

MINORS/CHILDREN

I am a member here, and I want to bring my grandkids/kids' friends to the Rec Center. Am I allowed to do this?

• Our current policies do not allow for grandparents to bring their grandchildren unless the grandchildren live with the grandparents as dependents. Our policy reads that we allow children in with parents who are members of the facility. It reads that "Children are only allowed in with their parents", which alleviates grandparents from bringing their grandchildren.

I am a member and my child wants to bring his/her friends here to spend the day. Can I do that?

• Children under 18 can only be admitted with his/her own parent present; and that parent MUST be a member of the facility (i.e. Fac/Staff/Student/Member).

What are my kids allowed to use at the Rec Center?

• As long as you are with them, they may use anything in the building, except the workout equipment on the weight room floor, and the cardio overlook on the second floor. But, YOU must check out equipment; minors may not check out equipment for their own use.

SPACE RESERVATIONS

I would like to reserve space in the Dedman Center.  Is that possible and what do I need to do?

•  The Dedman Center does not reserve space within the facility to individuals.  Space within the Dedman Center may only be reserved by recognized SMU student organization or University department.  All others including non-SMU affiliated groups and organizations would be considered Special Events and require a facility rental contract with associated rental and other fees.  See Room Reservations.