Recreation, Fitness and Wellness

The 10,000 square foot Avera Health and Wellness Center, on the second floor of the Barnett Center, offers students, faculty, and staff a full-service workout environment. The facility features 18 full power lifting racks with rubber platforms, 13 strength machines, 12 treadmills, nine elliptical machines, five stationary bikes, three recumbent bikes, and two sets of dumbbells ranging from 5 to 150 pounds. All racks are fitted with Olympic lifting platforms. Other amenities include restrooms, a drinking fountain, elevator access near the main entrance, and a large open space for stretching, warmups, and other activities. Storage cabinets are available to wellness center users.

At the Dacotah Hall Intramural and Student Recreation Center, a variety of fitness and recreational options are available to students and Northern employees. Bring your NSU ID card for swipe access at the west-facing gym door in Dacotah Hall.

Features include:

• Gaming center
• Dance studio
• Fitness room
• Golfing simulator
• Multi-use court

The court is a regulation-length basketball court with four basketball hoops, and can be converted for volleyball and indoor soccer use.

Also offered throughout the year are fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, Taekwondo and others - all free to students! Equipment for badminton, disc golf, ping pong and other activities is available for checkout. Dacotah is home to NSU intramurals, offering a variety of fun, casual sport options throughout the year. Center staff are on hand during open hours to assist with any questions.

Follow intramurals on Twitter: @NSURecreation

The NSU Athletic and Recreation Fields offer a variety of recreational options to students, faculty and staff including a football field, soccer field, and futsol field. All playing surfaces feature state-of-the-art turf that drains quickly and provides a level, sure-footed experience. The soccer field also has full stadium lights for a safe playing environment at night or on less-sunny days. Bring your NSU ID card for swipe access at the southwest corner gate.

The Pavilion, located in between the soccer and football field, features two press boxes, a conference/event room, elevator, locker rooms, bathrooms, offices and more. To reserve this room, contact Administrative Assistant Tara Santjer at tara.santjer@northern.edu.

Check Out and Play

Students and employees can borrow equipment such as spike-ball, beanbag boards, footballs, soccer balls and many other items.

Open Rec Hours

During open hours, facilities are available to all students and employees to craft their own recreational activities. If you need assistance, you can find staff in the football press box during open rec hours.

Located on the main level of the Barnett Center, Northern's 25-yard pool features men's and women's locker rooms and a lifeguard. The pool is open to everyone during open swim hours.

On the east edge of Northern's athletic and recreation fields are six fenced tennis courts available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The courts are not lighted, but have public restrooms and water fountains.