The Department of Recreation Services operates the Kirby Sports Center recreational facilities and programs with two full-time professionals and two interns. Auxiliary assistance by six part-time instructors and 100 student employees including 25 student supervisors allows the department to implement 150 plus programs in seven specialty areas (aquatics, instructional programs, group exercise classes, indoor rock wall, fitness, sport clubs and intramural sports).

In 2002 the new 110,000 square foot addition to the Kirby Sports Center received Athletic Business’s Facility of Merit Award. The department has been twice recognized, in 1995 and 2001, by Lafayette students for its commitment to meaningful student programming at the Aaron O’Hoff awards. In addition, in 2000 the American Red Cross recognized the department for its proactive approach to safety by requiring CPR with an Automated External Defibrillator for the vast majority of its student staff positions.