Proposal for the BYU Running Club

Prepared by David Murphy, Club President

Vision

To create an exciting organization where students can gather together and foster a passion for running. The BYU Running Club will promote running to help its members improve health and well being, achieve running goals, and meet new people regardless of their age or level of ability.

Mission

With strength in numbers, the BYU Running Club will be a valuable club for students who want to run. It will provide opportunities for varying levels of ability by having groups which will be aimed at distances and speeds best matched to the goals of its members. Members will uphold the high standards and integrity of Brigham Young University in all club activities and seek to bring recognition to the University through self-improvement.

Goals

1. Provide opportunities for participation in daily running activities.
2. Create an atmosphere for those with the common interest of running to gather and socialize together.
3. Give opportunities to improve personal bests.
4. Uphold the standards and integrity of BYU.

Overview

Running is an exhilarating activity, one which is participated in by a majority of BYU students. Yet many still struggle to find motivation and fellow runners. The BYU Running Club will provide a means to solve these problems and become an important part of the BYU experience. There are many opportunities that the club can create to make an impact in the lives of the members. Obviously there will be a wide range of ability within the members of the club. To help accommodate all members of the club, committees will be made for a range of ability levels. As with the entire organization, these committees will be headed by student volunteer leaders. As the club becomes more established the committees can be expanded to include:

• Recreational Runners
• 5K
• 10K
• Marathon
• Varsity Prep.

Running Times

There will be daily runs at a time that is most convenient for the members. During these times the members will meet together to warm up and stretch. The different groups will be split off during that time so there are options of runs for the participants.

Courses

Daily courses will be prepared and mapped out for the groups. This course outline can be a weekly or bi-weekly routine that can be posted on the club website and can remain constant with discretionary changes made by the group leaders. Training schedules for the Varsity Prep group can be developed with the advice of team coaches.

Road Races

Races in surrounding communities take place consistently. The club can unofficially be a means of informing members of races. Members can individually (not as part of the club) travel to races in groups and perhaps gain group discounts for these events.

Club Meetings

Conferences can be held monthly for all members of the club at which a special guest speaker can address the members. The subject can be educational, motivational and uplifting for the club members as relating to running. The purpose behind this is to increase the knowledge of running techniques and tools that will prepare them for a lifetime of running.

Leadership

The club will be entirely student led. There will be a President and Vice-President who will oversee the various committees (groups). Finances will be handled by a bookkeeper. A webpage will be set up by a technical assistant through the student connection. Students interested in leadership can volunteer to head committees or assist these committee chairs. These leaders will also be the group leaders. The organization will be based around the needs that develop for the club to provide opportunities for the members. Leadership would meet weekly or biweekly to discuss these matters of concern, events, and coordination that need to be addressed.

Liability

Members will sign a waiver for liability of the Department regarding injury and rules to abide by while associating with the club (including traffic laws). This will enable the club to be liberated to running off-campus. Any traveling to events such as races will be done on an individual basis and not as a club sponsored activity. Any problems that may arise can be referred back to the waiver, showing that the member was not following the guidelines of the club and also accepted responsibility for their involvement in the activities.

Dues

Dues can be considered to consider costs that are needed such as printing costs for flyers and advertisements. Dues would be handled by the bookkeeper.

5K

Possibility exists to establish an annual 5 or 10K race that is sponsored by the club. This would bring in revenue and excite the campus.

Sponsoring Department: Exercise Science

Mentor: Iain Hunter

120D Richards Building
Provo, UT 84602
801-422-1434
iain_hunter@byu.edu