Chris Wise named director of recreational sports; two others receive promotion

Chris Wise of Blacksburg has been promoted to director of Virginia Tech's Department of Recreational Sports. Recreational Sports, part of the Division of Student Affairs, enhances the quality of life for all students, faculty, staff, their families, and the community by providing a variety of recreational and fitness opportunities.

“I am honored to have been selected and given the opportunity to lead the department,” said Wise. ‘Virginia Tech is a great university that has been home to my family and me for the past 20 years. I have a lot of pride in this institution, in the Division of Student Affairs, and specifically in the Department of Recreational Sports.”

During his 20 years of service at Virginia Tech Wise has served in various capacities including, a graduate assistant, intramural coordinator, coordinator of extramural sport clubs, and most recently as the associate director of recreational sports.

Wise received his master’s degree from Virginia Tech in 1989.

In addition to Wise's promotion as director, other notable promotions have recently occurred within the Department of Recreational Sports. They include:

• Dave Shuster, War Memorial Hall facility manager, has been named assistant director of facilities and informal recreation. Shuster has been with the department since 1994. He is also the women’s assistant coach for the Virginia Tech Crew Club. Shuster is a Virginia native and received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Virginia Tech.
• Sam Van Curen of Blacksburg, facility scheduler, has been named facility coordinator/War Memorial Hall assistant manager. Van Curen has been with the department since 1991. He is also the faculty advisor for the Racquetball Club. Van Curen completed both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at Virginia Tech, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

For more information on Virginia Tech Department of Recreational Sports, visit www.recsports.vt.edu or call the Recreational Sports’ main office at (540) 231-6856.