TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama Student Recreation Center will recognize Wednesday, Feb. 22 as National Intramural and Recreational Sports Fitness Day.

This national event was created by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, the professional governing body that seeks to promote healthy lifestyles through campus-related activities and events like those offered by University Recreation.

At UA, the event will include an African-American Heritage Health and Fitness Fair at the UA Student Recreation Center from 3-8 p.m. as part of African-American History Month events.

On Feb. 22, 1950, representatives of 11 historically black colleges met at Dillard University in New Orleans to form the National Intramural Association, which has become the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.

NIRSA is designed to strengthen the quality of life for individuals and communities through education and training of recreational sports professionals. NIRSA-sponsored recreational sports and intramural opportunities on college campuses and U.S. military installations, in public recreation programs, correctional institutions, and private and nonprofit organizations are designed to enhance the quality of community life; the organization has also been a driving force in the design and development of “state-of-the art” recreational sports and fitness.

For more information go to http://urec.sa.ua.edu.