Whether you were the high school jock who doesn’t want to dedicate your college experience to playing at the collegiate level, or you are just interested in trying out various sports on a casual stage, you can find recreation in intramural sports.
Sponsored and run by Campus Recreation, intramural sports provide all current Auburn students the opportunity to meet new people through participating in an array of sports without the pressure or major time commitment that comes along with playing on a club or University team.
“We try to create a safe atmosphere where competitive sports may be played in a sportsmanlike manner,” said Ted Trupp, the director of intramural sports. “Participants develop leadership skills, and friendships are often made that last a lifetime.”
The fall semester is divided into two seasons of intramurals. The first season includes men and women’s flag football, track and badminton. The second season offers men and women’s soccer, volleyball and table tennis, as well as co-rec flag football and volleyball.
Each sport is divided into two leagues; one for fraternities or sororities and the other for independent teams. Leagues follow a regular season schedule, and the top teams of each league advance to playoffs.
Alan Quenelle, a junior in building science and member of Beta Theta Pi, has played soccer on his fraternity’s team the past two years. He enjoys the opportunity to continue playing a sport he loves.
“We won the fraternity league our freshman year and came in second last year,” Quenelle said. “It’s not as serious as a real league, but is a good way to get active in a sport that you have been passionate about in your earlier years.”
Trupp said getting involved is easy and accessible.
The only required steps to form a team are to submit entry forms that can be acquired at the Student Activities Center before the deadline, and for some sports, a team member must attend a meeting to get that sport’s regulations and schedule.
If players do not have a group to play with, Trupp recommends registering for a sport during the same period teams will be signing up, and the program will pair these individuals with other participants who need to fill a roster.
With an easy, accessible method of registration and a fairly laid-back atmosphere, intramural sports are designed to accommodate students in every skill level.
Wes Cobb, a senior in English, reflected on the good times he shared with his teammates, despite a lack of success, while playing flag football.
“Before the game, I would put on my short shorts, cleats and head band — essentially get ready to lose. We were terrible,” Cobb said. “But it was easy to get involved in and fun, as long as you didn’t take it too seriously.”
Will Guthrie, a junior in economics, believes intramural sports is an excellent way to get some exercise while meeting new people.
“I would say that getting into intramural sports is one of the better outside-of-school activities that I have been able to get into,” Guthrie said.
“It is the perfect mix of being active, teamwork and taking a break from studying.”
Students can sign up for the first season of intramurals at the equipment check-out counter in the Student Activities Center, Monday, Aug. 18. The deadline for registration will be Thursday, Aug. 21.
