WMU intramural sports offer a wide range of athletics for students

By Josh Kalil

With the summer coming to an end and the beginning of another school year here, many students often look to find a fun way to get their daily exercise in. For those students, Western Michigan University offers a wide range of intramural sports.

The intramural sports program at WMU offers several activities available to all students. Participating in IM sports gives the opportunity to compete in athletics aside from the traditional experience of working out at the Student Recreation Center.

Andy Arnold, Assistant Director of Intramural Sports and Recreation Programs at the SRC, believes that intramural sports are a great way to both exercise and meet new people on campus.

“The social aspect is important, but games are good [as well],” he said. “In the long run, [playing intramural sports] can be better for students.”

The fall semester will feature 11 different sports for students to participate in. Included will be sports such as kickball, softball, basketball, ice hockey and soccer.

Jenna Parlovecchio, a junior majoring in accounting, has seen the impact of intramural sports.

“My boyfriend has friends that signed up for intramural sports. They do both [pick‑up games and intramural] and they seem to get more out of intramurals,” Parlovecchio said.

To participate, prices range anywhere from $5 to $73, with most falling under $9. Students living in residence halls have an advantage, however. For those living on campus, most sports are offered free of charge.

“A lot of students live on campus anyway, and it’s no cost to them,” Arnold said.

Students looking to participate but lack having their own team should not be turned away. Many students enter individually and are placed on teams at a later date.

“We have a free agent list. We try to get enough–four to six, with the same schedule and what days to play on the same team,” Arnold said. “Usually they don’t meet until the first week, but it’s a really good experience. We had [a free agent team] make it to the playoffs [last year].”

Intramural sports give students who participated in sports at a high school level a chance to continue competing. Although the structure is not the same as high school athletics, leagues keep track of records and crown a champion.

“You can play games and get that competitiveness back in you. Just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you have to stop,” Arnold said.

The biggest challenge for Arnold is keeping the sports new and exciting each year. Debuting this fall will be a golf scramble, taking place at Eastern Hills Golf Club on Sept. 27.

With 6,000 to 7,000 participants competing in intramural sports every year, it is hard to offer a wide variety of sports that will satisfy every participant. However, student input is encouraged and suggested to create and design future offerings.

“We keep [the sports offered] as is and try to add new things each year by asking the participants what they want,” Arnold said.

Students interested in getting involved can view the full list of sports offered, as well as meeting dates, deadlines to register and participation prices at the SRC’s website, http://src.wmich.edu.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=131

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Sep 2 2008. Filed under Campus, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com