Even those picked last in gym class can flex their competitive muscles and sweat away excess pounds in Alumni Arena, where Recreational and Intramural Services offer the chance to prove their athletic talent without having to join a varsity team.
"Intramurals gives competitors a way to play without all of the pressure," said Dan Mansfield, a co-captain of the soccer, basketball and football teams.
Five thousand students participated in a variety of sports last semester, according to Ed Wright, coordinator of intramurals. Wright said basketball and volleyball are the two most popular intramural sports, with roller hockey and indoor soccer increasingly in demand. Other sports offered include softball, flag football and floor hockey.
"I played soccer all through high school so I love the game, and playing indoors is something that I didn't play much of but I thought it was fun," said Emily Copp, a co-captain of one of the indoor soccer teams.
"I knew there was an interest with some of my friends so we just got together a team. I co-captain because I knew that I would actually get stuff done on time."
Students wishing to join an intramural team can register at the Recreation and Intramurals office at 130 Alumni Arena. If they are not already part of a team, participants must go to a team formation meeting for a team of their choice.
Full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to play regardless of experience and skill. The lack of qualifications relieves pressure and encourages more students to go out for a team.
To form their own team, students can go to the office in Alumni Arena and pick up a packet with all the information needed, including a roster entry form. Once a team is formed, the team must pay $40 and one team member must attend the mandatory captains meeting.
"Everything is explained in the packet they give you, and if you have any questions, the people who work in the office know what they are talking about, so just ask them," said Copp.
The intramural teams are divided into divisions and can make their way up through tournaments to conference champions and overall university champions. The tournaments are held and supervised by students hired by Wright.
"We want the students to feel that they are out on the street, playing a game and having fun," said Wright.
Some students, however, become overly competitive when it comes to tournaments. According to Wright, behavior problems have sometimes interfered in what is supposed to be lighthearted leisure.
"That's one of the problems we have, that students don't understand the spirit of intramurals," said Wright. "Students take it too seriously."
Games are held in Clark Hall, Alumni Arena, and the fields outside the Governors complex and Jarvis Hall, according to the intramural schedule.
Wright expressed concern over the interruption of games such as volleyball tournaments, due to the space needs of varsity teams, a problem Wright believes would be remedied by the university's construction of a free-standing recreational center.
"A stand-alone recreation center would be conducive for students to have a place for themselves," said Wright.
The administration has discussed the possibility of erecting a recreational center in the proposed Lee Road construction.
Despite minor problems, such as teams forfeiting and teams occasionally losing a place to play, the intramural games were very successful last semester and the recreational and intramural activities continue to grow as more students get involved.
"It's all about fun, stress release, and having a good time," said Wright. "It's a natural high outlet."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
