Returning after winter break isn't just about buying new books and starting new classes--it's also a time to become active in spring intramural sports.
"From January to roughly the first week of March, we will be in full swing for intramural basketball," said Nicholas Head, student coordinator of recreational services. "Then, from March right around the week before spring break until we leave for summer school will be softball and co-rec soccer."
There is not an official schedule made for the spring semester, and Head said the sign-up process typically takes a week.
After a captains meeting that explains the basic rules of the sport, sign-up days take place shortly afterward, Head said.
In the following days, the leagues' schedules are made and released online. From there, referees are trained for a week, and the season begins.
Head said basketball is the second-most popular sport offered year-round, trailing only flag football. The season starts in the first few weeks of spring semester.
"(Basketball) teams will be guaranteed four or five games per season," he said. "There are different leagues you can sign up for. Our men's league has novice, intermediate and advanced."
Despite having soccer available during the fall, Head said it's so popular in Auburn they wanted to have a league in the spring as well.
"It's played eight-on-eight, and our fields are a little bit smaller than regulation," Head said. "It's four guys and four girls on the field at a time. What we see a lot is teams that played men's and women's in the fall kind of join up forces for the spring."
Softball sign-ups take place the same time as co-rec soccer, Head said.
"I would say out of our sports, it's the most enjoyable because it's the most laid back," Head said. "Even though its right when we come back from spring break and participation may drop off some, it's still a lot more laid back than basketball or football. They have fun."
For students who haven't been to the intramural fields recently, they will notice a difference when softball begins: the permanent backstops that have been in place for years are now gone.
"They went ahead and pulled those up," Head said. "And we are actually purchasing portable backstops that we will put at different points in the field."
Head said the movable backstops will make the field more playable and will help players avoid standing water or any other inconvenience.
Head also said Auburn offers three other sports in the spring which don't have a full season.
"Those are basically tournament or other events that we have sign-ups for."
Bowling will take place from January to March.
"We open it up to less teams because it's one of those things that we do off campus at the Auburn bowling alley," he said. "We have specified times that the bowling alley lets us bowl."
Swimming and diving is a one- or two-day tournament hosted at the Martin Aquatics Center, Head said.
Participants can sign up for diving and event relays. The relays vary depending on what the swimming and diving center decides to offer.
Head said Auburn's golf tournament at Indian Pines last year had a great turnout. This year's tournament is in late April, a week before finals.
"It's a two-player scramble," Head said. "Anyone that wants to sign up can get spirit points for his or her fraternity or sorority, or you can sign up individually."
Head did mention there is a fee, but golfers get 18 holes and a cart.
Despite providing the same sports since 2002, when Head started working with intramural sports, he said they have tried offering new sports over the years.
In the past, ultimate Frisbee and kickball tournaments were offered.
"We actually offered a small basketball league this year for the first time ever," Head said. "We saw the demand for it, and it seemed like something we could do.
"We've gotten surveys back that said, 'We would love to see spring football.' Right now, we're looking at what is returned with the survey. People want more and games, but it's difficult sometimes because you are limited to what you can do."
Head said the easiest way for students to voice opinions regarding sports they wish to be made available is to simply tell the department.
"We want to offer more," Head said. "And we're looking to offer more."
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