Ask me about: budgets and the SRC Fee, Campus Recreation structure and management model, integrated wellness initiatives
Born and raised in the suburbs of Paris, France, Hugues moved to the West Coast in his twenties to pursue adventure, visit as many National Parks as possible, meet great people, surf the Pacific and simply…grow. He received a BS in Resource, Recreation and Tourism, and an MS in Sports and Recreation Management from University of Idaho. After a season as a Park Ranger with the Oregon Department of Forestry (Tillamook District), he took the first Graduate Assistant position with UofI Campus Recreation in the newly built Student Recreation Center. After graduation, Hugues went on to California State University San Marcos, as the Director of Campus Recreation.
Hugues started working at Southern Oregon University in September 2017. He was motivated by the exciting challenges of opening the beautifully designed Student Recreation Center, starting a new Recreation team, and infusing wellness on campus. Outside work, he enjoys hiking, backpacking, riding bikes, kayaking, crafting a good meal, and exploring new territories.
Melissa Bates
Assistant Director – Operations & Fitness
she/her/hers
batesm4@sou.edu | (541) 552-7235
Ask me about: facility reservations, student employment, and esports
Melissa is from Georgia and Tennessee, which is evident in her accent. In the winter of 2018 she moved across the country to Oregon and joined the SOU Campus Recreation department. She loves working in Campus Recreation because of the students, their successes, and their drive. When Melissa isn’t hanging out with her student-staff at the Rec Center, she enjoys Marvel comics and movies, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and running outside.
Willie Long
Assistant Director – Outdoor Program & Climbing Center
he/him/his
longw@sou.edu | (541) 552-7234
Ask me about: student-led adventure trips, the Climbing Center, and getting involved with the Outdoor Program.
Willie grew up adventuring in the Pacific Northwest. He is a great resource if you are looking for information on climbing areas, backpacking trips, mountain biking trails or rivers. Before Willie came to SOU he worked in many areas of the Outdoor industry. He began his outdoor career by managing a start-up bike shop in Roseburg Oregon. Then he became a commercial river guide. Willie worked on the Kern, Klamath, Rogue, and North Umpqua Rivers to the Main Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. While working as a river guide, Willie found climbing guiding and the many other intricacies to becoming more well-rounded outdoor educator. He then took his experience to Australia to teach expedition-style outdoor education.
Willie obtained his degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership here at SOU and taught courses at SOU over the years. He has been committed to the SOU Outdoor Program for six years. If you can’t find Willie in the OP or on a trip he is likely out developing the climbing areas of Southwest Oregon as a board member of the Southwest Oregon Climbers Coalition.
Ask me about: Rec sports, promotions, and social media
Heather graduated from Southern Oregon University in June, 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Emerging Media and Digital Arts. She has enjoyed every minute of her time in the Campus Recreation department since coming on board in January, 2019. She loves working in recreation because of the happy, energetic work environment, and she enjoys helping promote the idea that wellness is a way of life.
When Heather isn’t sitting behind a computer screen, she can be found hanging out in coffee shops, taking photographs, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.