CIA Students Take on a Variety of Sports and Intramurals
Author Tina M. Cortez ’26 is a Food Business Management major.
CIA isn’t just a place about food, it also strives to create a fun, energetic, and social campus environment. CIA students have so many opportunities to have fun outside of the kitchens, one of the many choices includes staying active on campus like the student recreation center, fitness classes, and sports: volleyball, tennis, basketball, soccer, and softball.
CIA not only offers sporting events and activities but it’s also one of the few culinary schools with a top-quality athletics program featuring two co-ed teams—CIA Steels basketball and soccer teams. These teams compete with other specialized colleges across the Hudson Valley. Fun fact, the soccer team is coached by Chef Jesse Jackson!
Now to move on to the sporting events and activities which happen almost every week. These include things like an annual soccer scramble, a game of HORSE on the basketball court, a staff/faculty vs. students softball game, tennis, and open gym volleyball. Also, the best part about the “competition” sporting events like HORSE, is that the winner almost always gets extra gold points towards their meal plan!
Don’t worry, even if you are not the best at sports, these events are still enjoyable. For instance, I am horrible at volleyball and by horrible, I mean still to this day I hit the ball backwards, but it is still so much fun.
“None of us are really good, but it’s fun,” says Natalie Peña Ramirez ’26.
It’s also a great way to make friends, “It’s the same group of kids every time, so we all get to really know each other,” says Keylahni Elion ’26.
But out of everything CIA offers my personal favorite is the Student Recreation Center aka the gym, and the fitness classes. The gym is made up of a cardio room, weight room, and group fitness room. On top of that we also have a pool, track, gymnasium, and sauna. Then every week, Monday to Wednesday, fitness classes are offered. It depends on the day but some of the possible classes include a 45-minute HIIT class, Yin Yoga, all levels yoga, and a Body Sculpt class.
As you can see if you’re a sports person, don’t worry, there are plenty of fun options for you. And even if you don’t like sports give these things a try, they’re a great way to socialize and meet new people.