By Catherine Laroche
School is back in session and students are now busy setting their goals for the new academic year. Some may have aspirations of reaching a certain GPA, while others hope to just have the discipline to get up and make their eight o’clock class.
Then there are the students who didn’t do enough on campus the previous year. Some come in wanting to get more involved, with others set on just laying low all year. Louisville’s campus also welcomes a new group of freshman ready to spread their wings in their first year away from home.
For the people interested in getting involved at the University of Louisville intramurals might be the answer.
According to the University of Louisville website, the Department of Intramurals and Recreational Sports is a rich resource for participants who wish to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Through participation in various programs, students can derive a multitude of personal benefits; Improved levels of physical fitness and wellness, opportunities for social interaction, time management skills, the opportunity to engage in a group dynamic setting, motivational skills, and the chance for a healthy means of stress relief as well as the creation of a sense of ownership and belonging between students and the University.
“The one thing I would inform students about intramurals is that we try to offer something for everyone, and that we strongly encourage students to get involved,” Coordinator of Intramural Sports Dale Young said. “College is more than just taking classes. We like to offer opportunities for students to become more well rounded.”
Some of the opportunities that the Intramurals department will be offering this fall include: Flag Football, Softball (men only), Kickball (women only), Tennis, Golf, Canoe Regatta, Track Meet, Soccer, Badminton, Dodgeball, Swim Meet and Bowling.
Young said that the most popular fall sports are Flag Football League and Soccer League.
Aside from the different sports that the Intramurals department offers in the fall, they also work hard on making sure students play the sports they enjoy in a safe and nice environment. The most recent addition to the intramural landscape is S.G.A. Parkway Field.
“It has been a great addition to the department,” Young said. “It has allowed for better scheduling for both teams and staff.”
Although the Intramurals department is not currently working on any major projects for the near future, they are still focusing on getting more and more students involved with intramurals. Students can stop by the Intramural Office and get information for whatever event their interested in. Once they have the information and know the roster deadline, they can compose a team of their liking. This team can be amongst friends, members in the same residence hall, or department.
There’s also the free agent roster in the office. It allows students an opportunity to catch on with a team that may not have enough players or that may just be looking to meet new people.
Young believes that students should take advantage of the many opportunities that the intramurals department is providing to them.
“It provides them an opportunity to become well rounded as well as foster development through communication,” Young said. “Once again, college is more than going to class and making the grade. It’s about developing as an individual and growing.”
For more information about Intramurals, check out the Intramurals website at www.campuslife.louisville.edu/intramurals
