MTSU’s unsung heroes of water are asking for a handful of lifesavers for the summer months ahead.

The MTSU Campus Recreation Center has opened its applications for anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard.

MTSU junior exercise science major Logan Hollingsworth has served as an MTSU lifeguard for two years and believes swimming requires more technique than any other aerobic activity.

“I’m in great shape, but swimming is a whole other monster than anything on land,” Hollingsworth said.

Logan Hollingsworth

MTSU only accepts American Red Cross-certified lifeguards and offers fee-based training classes for certification. April 30 is the deadline to sign up for May classes. Details available at http://www.mtsu.edu/camprec/aquatics/skill-classes.php.

Lifeguard applications are located in MTSU’s Campus Recreation Center or online at http://www.mtsu.edu/camprec/employment.php.

A Chapel Hill, Tennessee, native, Hollingsworth encourages students wanting to become lifeguards to know it’s more than a job. During the summer, a host of youth organizations use the university’s aquatic facilities for leisure.

“I wanted a job that was important and wanted to have some responsibility … I knew that being a lifeguard is about as much responsibility as someone could get,” he said.

Lifeguard positions are open to students and people outside of MTSU who are at least 16 years old and Red Cross-certified.

Lifeguard training requires a 26-hour course with seven of those hours completed online.

“We want to provide jobs for our students on campus,” said Pam Footit, MTSU aquatic coordinator. “During the summer, half of our guards go home, so we’re hoping we can get a good community staff for the summer.”

Motlow State Community College sophomore Kelsey Givens is one of MTSU’s water safety instructors who teaches courses on safety to eager swimmers from ages 6 months to adults.

Kelsey Givens

Dr. Pam Footit

Instructors go through a 28-hour training offered at MTSU, with seven of those hours online.

“It’s a great team and we’re always willing to help out each other,” Givens said.

“We grow as a family … if someone is having a rough day or something you talk to them, encourage them to get back to work and try to urge them to remain positive for the rest of the day,” she said.

For more on MTSU’s aquatics program, including pool hours, swim lesson opportunities and more, visit www.mtsu.edu/camprec/aquatics. For more information about the MTSU Campus Recreation Center, visit www.mtsu.edu/camprec.

— Jayla Jackson (news@mtsu.edu)