If your IM workout routine is getting a little too light, an easy, accessible option is available to you just down the road.

Located right next to the Pegula Ice Arena is Penn State’s Indoor Tennis Center. When the Penn State men’s and women’s tennis teams are not using the outdoor courts, the tennis center houses their practices and matches. Luckily, that’s not all the indoor courts offer.

Many students are unaware of the opportunities the tennis center provides. Before the center was affiliated with Campus Recreation, it used an app for its own booking system. This caused a lack of knowledge of what students had available to them. Due to the pandemic, Penn State took the center under its IM booking schedule.

The indoor courts are free for all students with a Penn State ID. Currently, the center’s scheduling is identical to the IM reservations that originated in September.

On weekdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., you’re able to reserve either a 55-minute or 75-minute session for you and a partner. You can reserve a session up to 48 hours in advance.

You can find the reservation schedule here for the indoor tennis center, along with the IM building.

Not only does the center offer indoor tennis as another workout option for students, but also a place for student employment.

There are two shifts that students can fulfill. One shift is during the day when the men and women’s teams are practicing. Duties typically include sanitizing the area and keeping the courts clean.

The second shift is during the evening when students are scheduled with their reservations. This shift’s purpose is to help students swipe in and direct them toward their designated court, any rackets or balls, and any other assistance students may need.

Tennis center coordinators Bill Potoczny and Ricky Dove are in charge of the tennis center and deal with any incoming questions about applying.

Employee Tommy Leadbetter said he appreciated how welcoming, genuine, and accommodating the tennis center is to its employees and students.

“My experience with the center has always been positive,” Leadbetter said. “They do a great job helping me out and making sure there is no stress from work and school.”

Leadbetter added that the tennis center also offers a student work-study position. He said that’s been beneficial to him and is an upside to working for the indoor courts.

“The bosses [Potoczny and Dove] really stress that academics come first,” Leadbetter said. “That is really something they put a lot of emphasis on and we can receive a lot of help with.”

On the Penn State Campus Rec site, you can find Potoczny and Dove’s email for more details to apply. An updated application will then be redirected to you once they are contacted.