Many college students grew up with a background of athletics, competing and being a part of a team. Coming to college can be scary for students who are worried they will lose the competitive outlet that they grew up loving. Luckily at Auburn, you do not need to be a “D1 athlete” to continue competing recreationally.
A 2011 study conducted by Auburn University revealed that “many students' participation in physical activity appears to diminish between the freshman and sophomore year of college." One of the results of this study was the opening of the new Auburn Recreation and Wellness Center in 2013. Since then, “The Rec” has brought in the IMLeagues organization available for student participation. This platform manages the club and intramural sports on Auburn’s campus, which have become crucial to many students’ college experience.
The IMLeagues organization at Auburn University provides students with the opportunity to compete on intramural and club sports teams. There are over 80 teams created for students to join. Club sports teams require a try-out, while intramural teams only require a sign-up. With such a wide range of teams and skill levels available, it does not take much to find the team right for you.
IMLeague sports are not just for students with athletic backgrounds. The Auburn IMLeagues website states that “everyone is welcome regardless of your skill level." There are co-ed teams and low-commitment leagues for beginners. All you have to do is reach out to the league to see what team is the right fit for you!
College is demanding and balancing personal life with study time can be a difficult concept to figure out.
Micah Cobb, freshman in marketing, is a part of the club pickleball team here on Auburn’s campus. Cobb believes being a member of the team helps him build physical activity into his already packed schedule.
“It has definitely helped me implement exercise into my week. It’s in my calendar, so I can consistently count on it. I don’t have to do any extra planning on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I know I have activity already built into my day," Cobb said.
Intramural sports carves out time for students to release stress in the form of sweat and endorphins. For a few hours a week, Cobb’s biggest concern is setting his opponent in a match or winning the game point. The change in priorities that comes with intramural sports gives students a chance to step away from their academic stress momentarily and focus purely on the game.
Recreational sports not only benefit the physical health but also the mental health of participants.
Brayden Walker, junior in engineering, plays quarterback for the team known as the “Two-Hand Touchers.” He believes intramural flag football has benefitted his mental health as a student at Auburn.
"Being able to look forward to a sporting event each week helps me forget about the rigorous work load that I have and focus on something that is enjoyable," Walker said. "For me, college is all about managing stress, and I think intramural sports have definitely played a role in managing my stress levels.”
Whether you are in search of physical activity, stress relief or just plain fun, look into joining one of the many recreational teams Auburn offers. You might be surprised by how much joining a team can strengthen not just your body and mind, but your college experience as a whole.
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Katie Gibson, junior in English language education, is from Trussville, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
