The Sarkeys Fitness Center (SFC) at the S. J. Sarkeys Complex opened in the summer of 1981 to give students a home for intramural sports and fitness. In 2003, the SFC received an addition and renovation to create a 150,000 square-foot indoor facility for a variety of programs, services, and equipment to meet the recreational and fitness needs of the OU community.
The Sarkeys Fitness Center features: eight basketball/volleyball/badminton courts, four racquetball courts, 1/6th mile indoor track, one large multi-purpose activity rooms, two weight room areas, a large cardio room with mounted flat-screen TVs, a climbing wall, and a personal training room. Membership includes use of the facilities including the Murray Case Sells Swim Complex (MCSSC), FIT classes, a locker, towel use at the SFC, and other amenities provided to faculty and staff.
The MCSSC consists of an indoor and outdoor pool. The indoor pool is an eight lane 25-yard lap pool with a 13-foot diving well with one 1-meter springboard. The outdoor facility consists of an Olympic-sized pool 50 meters by 25 yards with a 13-foot diving well and two 1-meter springboards as well as a kiddy pool. The outdoor lap pool ranges from 4’ to 5’6’’ deep and the indoor diving well ranges from 9’ to 13’.
Recreation Fields which host outdoor events such as flag football, Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and lacrosse are located two blocks east of Jenkins Avenue on Stinson Avenue. Tennis courts are located at the corner of Timberdell and Jenkins Avenue.
Fitness and Recreation is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes the right of every person to lead a healthy, balanced life. We encourage people of all abilities to participate in any programs and services offered. We provide a variety of accommodations and appreciate any comments or suggestions to improve your experience.
For information about accessible recreation through Fitness and Recreation at the University of Oklahoma contact Garry Armstrong at 405-325-3053 or email fitrec@ou.edu.
The University of Oklahoma is an equal-opportunity institution, www.ou.edu/eoo. For accommodations, please contact Fitness and Recreation at (405) 325-3053.
Resources
University of Oklahoma Accessibility and Disability Resource Center
730 College Avenue
Norman, OK 73069
Phone: (405) 325-3852 (Voice) - (405) 325-4173 (TDD)
Fax: (405) 325-4491
A variety of equipment is available for check-out at no charge through Fitness and Recreation. Indoor equipment is available at the Equipment Desk and must be returned by closing time each day.
Sweat Towels
Shower Towels
Locks (for day-use lockers)
Basketballs (men/women)
Volleyballs
Badminton Racquets*
Racquetball Racquets*
Squash Racquets*
Table Tennis Paddles*
Protective Eyewear†
Weight Belts
Dip Belts
Neck Pads
Ab Straps
Resistance Bands
Superbands
Jump Ropes
Climbing Wall Shoes (extra fee applies)
*Used racquetballs, shuttlecocks (birdies), table tennis balls and squash balls may be available. New items are available for sale at the front desk.
†Required when playing racquetball or squash.
#Please allow 24-48 hours for items to be ready for pickup
Outdoor Basketballs (men/women)
Outdoor Volleyballs
Footballs#
Frisbees#
Tennis Rackets
Soccer Balls#
Softballs#
Softball Gloves/Bats#
Cones#
Target Jerseys#
Football Flags#
Volleyball System#
Tug-0f-War Rope
Horseshoes#
Bocce Ball#
Indoor equipment is expected to be returned on the same day that it is checked out. Please return outdoor equipment as soon as possible, but no later than on the third day of it being in your possession.
• Damaged equipment is the responsibility of the member that checked out the equipment. Replacement fees are assessed to the member if misuse is determined.
• A late/replacement fee may be assessed for overdue equipment.
• Attempts will be made to inform individuals that they have outstanding equipment, by sending an e-mail message to their official OU address.
• Sponsors of guest pass holders are responsible for their guests.
The Sarkeys Fitness Center Climbing Wall is open to both experienced and beginner climbers. The wall is just under 20 feet high and contains over 450 square feet of climbing space for bouldering and top-roping. Use of the Climbing Wall is free for members and guests of the Sarkeys Fitness Center, but is only allowed during specific hours of operation. A campus board, finger board, and rock rings are also available for use during regular Sarkeys Fitness Center operational hours.
The Climbing Wall is staffed by Climbing Wall Attendants who are knowledgeable about the sport. Beginners are encouraged to seek the assistance of the Climbing Wall Attendants for instruction before climbing. No certifications are required to boulder (climbing without rope) or top-rope (climbing with a rope that runs from your harness to the top of the wall and back down to the belayer).
Climbers should wear comfortable clothing and closed heel/toe shoes. Climbing shoes are available to rent at the front desk for a nominal fee.
Belay training and certification tests are offered continuously throughout the year. Becoming belay certified allows individuals to top-rope and belay without the direct assistance of a Climbing Wall Attendant.
To “belay” for a climber involves holding the climber’s rope, taking up extra slack, “locking off” or braking (if the climber falls) and lowering the climber to the ground in a slow and controlled manner. Belay training includes instruction on harness fit, knots, belay technique using an ATC and standard climbing calls between climber and belayer.
Individuals who wish to be belay trained should ask a Climbing Wall Attendant for assistance. Depending on usage, Climbing Wall Attendants may not be able to assist with belay training during peak hours. Belay certification tests must be given at least 48 hours following training to ensure that each individual retains the information received during training. Individuals seeking belay training or certification must bring a partner to the training and testing.
Experienced climbers may choose to forgo training and move directly to the certification test. Belay certifications are valid for the current academic year (August through July) and climbers must re-certify each Fall semester.
The following Policies must be followed at all time at the Sarkeys Fitness Center Climbing Wall:
Harnesses, carabiners, belay devices and rope are all provided free of charge. Climbing shoes are available to rent at the front desk for a nominal fee.
Climbers are allowed to use personal climbing gear, including UIAA approved harnesses, climbing shoes and chalk bags. All personal gear must be inspected and approved by the Climbing Wall Staff. Belay devices and locking carabiners will be provided.
