Mixing up the New and Gold at Drexel University’s 2025 Employee Olympics

Over 130 faculty and professional staff members participated in fan-favorite activities and a new gauntlet showdown at this year’s annual event.

By Monica Fauble

March 28, 2025

A GIF of photos of participants at this year's employee olympics, including group shots, high-fives, and people playing baggo and pickleball.

Drexel University’s annual Employee Olympics took place March 26, providing benefits-eligible faculty and professional staff with an opportunity to engage in friendly competition and wellness activities.

A total of 132 individual participants came together at the event, which was held in March this year rather than the June of past years. The 2025 offerings also featured returning athletic offerings including team sports — pickleball (2v2) and baggo (2v2) — as well as a non-competitive Fun Walk available both on-campus and virtually.

Baggo: 12 teams, 24 people
Pickleball: 8 teams, 16 people
Fun Walk: 69 registered
Virtual Fun Walk: 34 registered

New this year! The gauntlet provided participants a fun fitness challenge between games. Dragons had to toss a bag in the cornhole, hit a water bottle with a football, score a "goal" in soccer and shoot a free throw for a basketball. And Diana Cordisco, the coordinator of fitness and wellness for the Drexel Recreation Center, led an energetic warmup with squats, jumping jacks and side shuffles. Drexel's therapy dog Espresso provided free fuzz to all who petted her.

On-campus participants received a commemorative Employee Olympics T-shirt. And all participants, as an added incentive, earned 25 wellness incentive program points, equal to an extra $25 in pay.

The event provided faculty and professional staff with a great opportunity to engage in physical activity, build camaraderie and enjoy a fun, spirited atmosphere.

You can view photos from the event in this photo album.

Congratulations to this year's winning teams!

Baggo: