From flag football and pickleball to basketball and volleyball, along with many more options, Springfield Intramurals has a lot to offer. Intramurals provide an opportunity to stay connected to the athletic community on campus and allows for students to stay active and take a break from their daily routines of stressful classwork.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for everybody, no matter what age they are, whether it’s an undergrad or a graduate student,” intramurals coordinator Dylan Wilkinson said. “You get paired with people that you probably wouldn’t interact with on a daily basis.”
That opportunity to connect with each other despite not being on a varsity or club team is important at a college in which athletics play a monumental role in campus life. Intramurals allow for students to form connections without the demanding schedules that come with organized athletics.
While some may think that intramural sports is just about staying fit, to most who participate, there is a clear competitive side to it as well. Flag football recently wrapped up their season with the playoffs shifting from feeling more laid back to a Super Bowl-like atmosphere.
“It gets intense, and then people start to care,” Wilkinson said. “They care a lot more when they win, compared to our B division pickleball. So it kind of plays back and forth with intensity versus fun, but both are good and both are needed.”
Recently one of the most popular intramural sports just started in 5V5 basketball. Students relish the opportunity to be able to participate in an activity that is beloved considering the Birthplace of Basketball does not have a club team, leading many students to join.
Beyond the physical aspect of the game, intramurals allow students an escape to disconnect from their academic responsibilities. The balance between academics and a social life is one that’s hard to manage. But with intramurals, students get the chance to compete, socialize, and have something to look forward to at the end of a long day.
“I think it can be a big stress reliever, especially if it’s something you get to look forward to,” Wilkinson said. ”If you’ve had a long day of classes, you get to know that I’m hanging out with my friends tonight, and we’re gonna go play basketball, win or lose. You get to just have a good time with your friends and not worry about what’s going on outside of sports at that time.”
Intramurals are a key aspect of the school’s athletic culture. Providing the chances to relieve stress and build friendships regardless of skill level highlights the importance they have here on Alden Street.
For those who are interested in joining, information about registering can be found through IMLeagues where students can view available sports, roster, and teams to get involved.