As the individual SHSU sports teams gear up for new seasons in the new year, the Department of Recreational Sports is offering an opportunity to Bearkats who would like to take part in the action, in the form of intramural sports.
With leagues starting as early as Jan. 29, many Bearkats are finding out that these leagues provide much more than one might expect.
The sports offered this semester are quite varied, offering everything from more traditional sports like flag football, basketball, softball, and soccer, to more distinct games like whiffle ball, table tennis, bowling, and even nine-ball pool.
Leagues are beginning all the time, some as early as January or as late as April. There are even clinics being offered for anyone interesting in participating as an official in basketball, softball, or indoor soccer.
William Harrison, a sophomore RTV major, played flag football last semester, and is gearing up for another season.
“People would be surprised at the level of competition that can be found in intramural sports,” Harrison said. “Opposing teams can develop some serious rivalries.”
For those who love sports, but don’t think they could compete at a collegiate level, intramural games are ideal.
Jason Wright, a junior history major, is signing up for the Three Point & Free Throw Shootout beginning in February.
“I love to hoop it up, but I could never compete with the guys on our basketball team, so leagues like this are ideal for me,” Wright said. “That, and I don’t really like moving around much.”
Morgan Heier, a senior art major, has an entirely different reason to support the intramural sports programs.
“These games can get pretty popular, with people going out to support their friends, so its as much a social event as anything else,” she said. “Not to mention all the cute boys who play those games.”
Sign-up for these competitions has already begun in some sports, with some leagues already prepared to play as we speak.
Intramural basketball, one of the more popular leagues, has already closed off registration, and will begin its pre-season schedule as early as Wednesday.
The “Officials’ Clinic” for intramural basketball is being offered Jan. 27 – 29, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Health and Kinesiology Center Room 241.
Another popular league, Run-N-Shoot Flag Football, has also begun taking entries, and will close registration Feb. 3. The deadline for the tennis tournament is also fast approaching, with all entries due by Feb. 10.
Whether you are looking for an engaging way to spend your free time, find a competitive way to stay in shape or just join for the love of the game, intramural sports is a competitive and increasingly popular option.
For more information on intramural sports this semester, please call or stop by the Department of Recreational Sports in the HKC Room 104, or visit the intramural sports Web site for a full calendar of events.