Under the shining lights at Southeast Recreational Complex, students cheer, laugh and strategize with each other in between plays — not just as fellow teammates, but as friends brought together by intramural sports.
For some, intramural sports serve as a fun activity to do in their spare time. For others, it is a way to continue to play the game they love.
“We see a lot of people who appear to have played these various sports previously. A lot of players take games seriously because they have a love and passion for the game,” Senior Assistant Director of Sports Programs Nathan Pick said.
For many former high school athletes, intramurals offer a chance to continue to play the game they love. Abby Barry, a junior in kinesiology, played volleyball and softball in high school.
“Intramurals have allowed me to continue to play my favorite sports in a competitive way,” Barry said. “After my season ended, it was really weird not to show up for practices or get dressed up for games anymore, and playing intramurals has brought some of that back.”
Intramural sports fill in the gap that former athletes have by providing a flexible schedule built around a student’s workload. With a range of sports from sand volleyball to flag football, hundreds of students set their schedules and play weekly.
“Participating in intramural sports has made my college experience far more enjoyable because I can lace up my cleats again and have fun with a group of friends without having to commit a ton of time to it,” Samantha Derango, a sophomore in accounting and management, said.
For students like Derango, who played lacrosse in high school, intramural sports rekindle their love for the sport and allow them to form new friendships and communities.
“Intramurals also provide a way to get engaged with the campus and do activities where they may meet future life-long friends in the process,” Pick said. “We want people to have fun and enjoyment in the program, whether they are playing or working with us.”
Although an element of competitiveness comes with intramural sports, they provide much more for students like Barry.
“I used to place my enjoyment on the end result of a win or loss, but now I understand what a blessing it is to be able to play with my teammates and physically be able to play,” Barry said. “I truly just love to be able to step on the volleyball court or step up to the plate.”
To learn more about intramural sports, click here.
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Former athletes find a second home in intramural sports – Iowa State Daily
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