April 30, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Norrito is preparing students to see sport not just as an industry, but as a powerful force for social good. The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is pleased to welcome Alessio Norrito as a postdoctoral research associate. Norrito brings with him an […]
Author: Ethan Charles Simmons
What two RST students gleaned from internships abroad
May 15, 2026 | Ethan Simmons These Recreation, Sport and Tourism undergraduates landed summer internships abroad. Here’s what they learned Every year, students studying Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign venture across the United States for professional internships. Some even find work outside of the country. The College of Applied Health […]
Spring 2026: Message from RST Department Head Carla Santos
May 13, 2026 | Carla Santos Our alumni play a vital role in sustaining the strength of our community Hello alumni and friends of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, As the spring semester comes to an end, I am pleased to share the latest edition of the Recreation, Sport and Tourism newsletter with […]
An online RST master’s degree affirmed Haupert’s career in the arts
May 16, 2026 | Ethan Simmons A “theater kid through and through,” Haupert (RST ‘21) helps realize the artistic dreams of her community as Palatine Park District’s first-ever cultural arts manager. From an early age, Laney Haupert dreamed of working in the theater—not acting on stage, but managing her favorite productions behind the scenes. But […]
In RST event management course, preparation is the main event
May 15, 2026 | Ethan Simmons In this capstone course, recreation, sport and tourism undergrads plan events from start to finish. The class has created several community highlights Tournaments for pickleball, spike ball and wheelchair basketball, a “yappy” hour at a local brewery with dogs invited, a fairy tale ball at a local library: Each […]
Prepared for the unexpected: How Bedford Park and RST built a living laboratory for safety
May 15, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo A sponsored partnership serves as an experiential learning opportunity for Recreation, Sport and Tourism students On any given weekend, the parking lots around the Wintrust Sports Complex fill with minivans and team buses, their passengers streaming through the doors with duffel bags and folding chairs in tow. Inside, basketballs […]
How ORPR is shaping the future of parks and recreation
May 15, 2026 | Laura Payne The Office of Recreation and Park Resources is making tangible impacts for communities and nonprofits On any given day, a graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign might be found leading a focus group in a small Illinois town, presenting data to local officials or helping design the […]
Full circle: Illinois alumni reunite through friendship and the U.S. Open
May 15, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo These three RST graduates “always knew” they’d be working together again someday More than a decade after their time together at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, three alumni from the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism have found themselves reunited in a place far removed from campus, yet deeply […]
From the lab to the concert hall, virtual reality plays a growing role in acoustics studies
May 05, 2026 | Ethan Simmons Virtual reality helps “bridge the gap” between lab environments and the real world At the Speech Accommodation to Acoustics Lab, researchers are trying to solve a common problem for teachers and vocal performers. How can they be heard and understood without straining their voices? Pasquale Bottalico, associate professor of […]
Our 2026 College of Applied Health Sciences award winners
May 08, 2026 | Ethan Simmons At the spring college meeting for the College of Applied Health Sciences, our faculty and staff gathered to celebrate this year’s college award winners, and give send-offs to two faculty leaders who are entering retirement: Speech and Hearing Science Professor and former Department Head Pamela Hadley and AHS Professor […]