{"id":1090,"date":"2024-12-11T10:05:38","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T15:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/recsports\/?p=1090"},"modified":"2025-09-17T15:20:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T19:20:34","slug":"wellness-spotlights-david-belka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/recsports\/2024\/12\/wellness-spotlights-david-belka\/","title":{"rendered":"David Belka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Name | Years at Miami | City, State<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

David Belka | 1975-1999 | Oxford, OH<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job Title | Current Employer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Retired<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1963 Slippery Rock College Health and Physical Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1965 Toledo University Physical Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1975 Toledo University Motor Development and Learning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curriculum and Instruction (Minor)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn About David<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Describe your previous role with Miami Recreation.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

I have been a regular at the REC Center since its inception in racquetball and now pickleball, running, walking in colder weather, and weight training. I was the only Miami faculty member on the planning committee for the REC Center with numerous meetings and trips to study other recreation centers. I have been a paid and volunteer racquetball instructor and currently have taught and mentored a group of senior players for almost a year. The most enjoyable of my time at the REC Center has been more than a year of teaching my granddaughter volleyball skills.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What do you do to recreate, live well, and have fun?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

My exercise program includes walking and biking, weight training, daily remedial back exercises, and pickleball playing. \u00a0 One must have a variety of activities in a regular exercise program for most physical health benefits and to maintain interest.\u00a0 I enjoy singing in a barbershop chorus, reading mysteries, playing bridge and card games, and being with others.\u00a0 The best activity I have done in my retirement years is joining and being an active member of Kiwanis.\u00a0 And in the past year, OASH, for finding solutions to the homeless and housing problems in Oxford also helps me live well.\u00a0 The enjoyment I receive from community service also aids my mental health.\u00a0 Various painting projects at Talawanda Oxford Pantry & Social Services for Kiwanis and at the Oxford Methodist Church are also part service and part enjoyment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Discuss any individuals who helped shape your values, interests, or overall personal or professional growth.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

Jan Broekhoff (Toledo faculty) was a mentor for understanding quality teaching and <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harriet Williams (also Toledo faculty) drastically increased my knowledge of children’s development for optimal education planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harriet Williams (also Toledo faculty) drastically increased my knowledge of children’s development and psychomotor and perceptual.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How did your role in Miami Recreation help you get to where you are today?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

Mostly, it is my regular use of the REC Center for personal development but being there provided an opportunity to introduce racquetball to visiting Chinese students and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also met a number of REC instructors and developed relationships with them that enabled me to interact and learn from each other.  I assisted with a one-morning pickleball clinic and have continued mentoring part of this group for about a year.  The REC Center has helped my volunteering and use my skill teaching, which is enjoyable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Advice that you would give a first-year college student at Miami today<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

Spend at least the same amount of time in various Miami activities, extra options\/activities, and helping others as one can in uptown or other social activities.\u00a0 Be careful with your money.\u00a0 Try to spend some interest in activities that are outside your normal thinking.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Miami Recreation Memory<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

There are two.\u00a0 My involvement in planning the current REC Center is one.\u00a0 The other, more significant one, are years of playing racquetball at Withrow, Phillips or the REC Center with friends and colleagues who were wonderful sportspersons and fun to play with and against.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awards \/ Recognitions \/ Personal or Career Accomplishments<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Leadership Award, Kiwanis Club of Oxford  2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxford Citizen of the Year   2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local Leader, Amer. Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance  2001<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Member, Southern Gateway Chorus, Barbershop Chorus Champion, 1993<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author or co-author 6 books,  50+ articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Comments \/ Important Information to Include in Your Profile<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ph. D. University of Toledo, 1975. Jan and I are married 60 years in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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