by Siddi Felix
OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Nebraska at Omaha Student Veterans Organization has launched The Smoke Pit, a weekly military-style fitness group designed to unite students of all backgrounds through exercise and community.
Open to all UNO students, The Smoke Pit meets at 6:30 a.m. every Wednesday in front of the Health and Kinesiology Building on Dodge Campus. Workouts include high-intensity interval training, group fitness, circuit exercises and more.
“This is the first step in improving relations between our civilian and military students, health and wellness, and a more engaging Maverick Spirit,” said Daniel Friedman, the organization’s current leader. “I’m encouraged to see where this opportunity takes us.”
The group held its first session March 26, drawing a strong turnout. After warm-up exercises led by Colton Dean, participants went on a campus jog that crossed Dodge Street and climbed to Memorial Park. Students moved at their own pace—some running, others walking—before pairing up to complete a round of 50 burpees, 200 jumping jacks, 100 pushups and 300 squats.
The workout concluded at the Milo Bail Student Center, where students joined the weekly Coffee Talks event at the Military-Connected Resource Center. The open forum runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and offers students a chance to connect over coffee and conversation.
The name The Smoke Pit is a nod to military culture, where informal “smoke pits” serve as gathering spots for service members to relax and talk. The UNO version offers a similar sense of community—fueled by sweat and shared goals.
A digital flyer with more details and a QR code to get involved is available below.
