Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at Illinois

Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at Illinois Welcome to the official page for the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism in the College of Applied Health Sciences!

https://linktr.ee/rstillinois

Our faculty and graduate students gathered for our annual graduate student picnic to enjoy good food, great connections,...
09/11/2026

Our faculty and graduate students gathered for our annual graduate student picnic to enjoy good food, great connections, and well spent time together!

Thank you to everyone who came out and made the picnic a success! 🧡💙

09/10/2026

RST everywhere you go! 📍

No matter where your adventures take you, the Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism will always be there for you! 🧡💙

Congratulations to Dr. Nathan Schaumleffel (PhD in RST, 2005) on being elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Park ...
09/08/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Nathan Schaumleffel (PhD in RST, 2005) on being elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA)!

AAPRA Fellowship recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field through their leadership, service, and professional work. It is also highly selective, with academics limited to just 25% of the Academy’s Fellows.

For Nathan, this recognition reflects the impact he has had not only as an educator and scholar, but also as someone who has continued to contribute to the profession and help shape its future. Very few academics have been selected as AAPRA Fellows, which makes Nathan’s election particularly noteworthy. He now joins a distinguished group of parks and recreation professionals who have helped advance the field in meaningful ways.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of Nathan’s work and contributions. Congratulations, Nathan! 👏🌳

A summer well spent. So proud of our RST students and all that they have accomplished in their summers! 👏
09/02/2026

A summer well spent. So proud of our RST students and all that they have accomplished in their summers! 👏

What a great way to kick-off the fall semester! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the RST Fall Social! We had such...
08/28/2026

What a great way to kick-off the fall semester! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the RST Fall Social! We had such a great time welcoming new and returning students, as well as connecting with prospective students! Can’t wait to continue making memories, like the ones made earlier throughout the semester!💙🧡

Raise your hand if you are excited for the first week of classes!🙋‍♀️A look inside the classroom with our largest freshm...
08/25/2026

Raise your hand if you are excited for the first week of classes!🙋‍♀️

A look inside the classroom with our largest freshman cohort in recent years! These future RST leaders are learning, connecting, and beginning their adventure in RST! 💙🧡

Kick off the semester by connecting with fellow RST students, faculty, and staff at the RST COLLAB Fall Social on campus...
08/24/2026

Kick off the semester by connecting with fellow RST students, faculty, and staff at the RST COLLAB Fall Social on campus!

Whether you're new to the department or returning for another year, this is a great opportunity to meet classmates, learn more about the RST major, and discover ways to get involved. If you're exploring RST as a potential major, we'd love to meet you too!

📅 Thursday, August 27
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 East Terrace, Siebel Center for Design

Come enjoy games, snacks, music, and great conversation as we kick off another exciting semester together. We can't wait to see you there!

RST is proud to recognize alum, as the recipient of the 2026 American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (...
08/17/2026

RST is proud to recognize alum, as the recipient of the 2026 American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) Best Paper (Dissertation) Award for his dissertation, The Effectiveness of Marketing and Pricing Strategies in Park and Recreation to Increase Participation of Low-Income Racial and Ethnic Communities.

Reflecting on the recognition, Juan shared:

“I am truly honored to receive the 2026 AAPRA Best Paper (Dissertation) Award and proud to represent the University of Illinois and the RST Department through this recognition. I am incredibly grateful to the RST Department for all of the support I received throughout my doctoral journey, especially from my advisor, Dr. Monika Stodolska, and my dissertation committee. Completing a dissertation takes an incredible amount of work, and having their guidance and support throughout the process made this accomplishment possible. My experience challenged me to think critically about real-world issues facing parks and recreation and helped shape the direction of my career. I hope to continue bringing research and practice together to make a meaningful difference in our profession and the communities we serve.”

Juan’s research examines how park and recreation agencies use marketing, pricing, community outreach, and culturally responsive strategies to increase participation and improve access among diverse communities. His work provides practical insights for strengthening inclusivity and advancing equitable access to parks and recreation.

RST Internship Spotlight: Michael Evans & Maddie Mayer and are senior RST students spending their summer gaining inval...
08/11/2026

RST Internship Spotlight: Michael Evans & Maddie Mayer

and are senior RST students spending their summer gaining invaluable experience with the Detroit Lions during NFL Training Camp. Building on their experience with Illinois Football, both are expanding their professional skillsets while working in one of the most competitive environments in sports.

🏈 Maddie serves as an Equipment Intern, supporting daily practice operations, preparing equipment for players and coaches, and assisting on game days as a sideline ball person.

🎥 Michael is a Football Video Intern, capturing practices and games while producing film used by coaches, players, and scouts to evaluate performance and prepare game plans.

Their internships provide firsthand exposure to the operations behind an NFL organization while reinforcing the classroom knowledge and practical experience gained through the RST program. Pictured with fellow Illini and current Lions - Luke Altmyer and Melvin Priestly.

Take your education abroad in Spring 2027 through RST's immersive international travel experiences.Discover London immer...
08/10/2026

Take your education abroad in Spring 2027 through RST's immersive international travel experiences.

Discover London immerses students in one of the world's leading tourism cities through its history, culture, sport, museums, and iconic attractions. Along the way, students gain firsthand insight into the industries and organizations that shape global tourism and visitor experiences.

RST in Croatia allows students to experience one of Europe's most captivating tourism destinations while exploring cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, destination management, and the communities that make Croatia a global travel destination.

These faculty-led experiences connect classroom learning with real-world exploration, helping students develop a global perspective, build professional skills, and discover the many career opportunities within recreation, sport, and tourism.

Where will your RST experience take you?

Address

1206 South Fourth Street
Champaign, IL
61820

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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