University of Kansas Recreation Services

Recreation Services at the University of Kansas delivers opportunities and promotes lifelong wellness through programs, facilities, and services to heighten the educational experience.

KU Recreation Services provides a variety of resources for wellness, physical fitness, team, and individual sports, group fitness classes, and personal training. Indoor and outdoor facilities accommodate a broad range of athleticism — from beginners looking to improve their health with low impact exercise to seasoned athletes aspiring to push their physical abilities to the next level. The David A. Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center is the home for KU Recreation Services and the department lives by their mission by providing a wide variety of options for students to promote lifelong wellness. The idea is to provide as many programs as possible so that at least one of them appeals to each student on campus.

Department & Facility Fun Facts:

  • KU students love the Jayhawk and asked it to be placed throughout the Ambler! In our main gym, we named the courts after different versions of the Jayhawk: 1920, 1923, 1929 and 1941instead of courts 1,2,3 and 4 or A, B, C, and D!
  • Our most unique event we have ever hosted was the 2019 Granny Basketball National Championship!
  • Named after Dr. David Ambler, Vice Chancellor Emeritus for Student Affairs, who dedicated 25 years of his career to KU before retiring in 2002 and can be seen walking on the track every morning.
  • Since its dedication, students have made the Ambler home to two class gifts: hardwood tree (2001) and KU logo brick inlay on plaza (2008).
  • The Ambler is the location of the Class Legacy Walk where students or those wanting to honor a KU graduate, can purchase a commemorative brick.
  • A 5200 square foot limestone-lined rain garden is located near the entrance where 2500 native plants from 18 different species help absorb water runoff from the roof of the 2008 addition before directing it into the drainage system.
  • Completed in 2003 after a successful referendum in which almost 70% of voting students approved increasing their fees. The ballot stated that this facility would be dedicated to student recreation only with no athletic events or academic classes to be held in it.