Wise

For Mike Wise, assistant director for the Recreational Services Department, improving intramural sports is the name of the game. Wise began noticing grievances about the intramural system in past years, and has since helped institute some changes.

“In the last few years we’ve been getting a lot of requests from the students. The majority of them were wanting something where they would play a wider variety of teams,” Wise said.

Furthermore, Wise recognized the need to develop competitive and non-competitive leagues.

“Before, we had to divide them up into resident hall teams, and fraternity teams and independent teams. This year we’ve restructured our divisions into competitive leagues and just-for-fun leagues,” Wise said.

The non-competitive leagues will be five-week leagues with no post-season tournament. Those involved in competitive league games will compete in a campus championship, the winning team receiving a t-shirt.

Scheduling concerns were also brought to Wise’ attention. In previous years teams would be scheduled to play any day of the week, whereas, beginning this year, leagues will either be held on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday freeing up the rest of the week for classes and work.

Intramural supervisor Trevor Steinbacher also recognized the benefits to the new scheduling system.

“The main problem was just all the scheduling conflicts,” said Steinbacher, a junior physical and health education major. “With the new (system) they can pick the two days they want to play on, so they’ll know in advance they’ll play on those two days.”

One final change is the adoption of online registry. As opposed to using paper forms, this year students are able to register online, and team captains have the ability to manage their teams online as well.

“In the past anyone that was added to a team would have to come in and fill out the appropriate paperwork to be eligible to play,” Wise said. “Now a team captain can manage all that information online.”

Becca Holman, a senior elementary education major and intramural supervisor, sees the positive things the new system will bring for everyone involved.

“Once people understand how to use it it’s going to be a lot easier for everybody,” Holman said. “For me personally, and Trevor, we wont have to manually put in all the information. I think this software is going to be really beneficial.”

To sign up for intramural sports, visit www.emporia.edu/recsport

Brandon Schneeberger

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Did you ever wish that you could still partake in sports after high school but didn’t end up playing in college? The Student Recreation Center just might have the answer you have been looking for: intramural sports. These activities can offer a way to participate with fellow classmates in a fun, yet competitive atmosphere.

The SRC offers several kinds of sports and activities, like flag football, volleyball, basketball, softball, kickball tournaments, badminton, dodgeball tournaments, table tennis tournaments, soccer and video game tournaments.

Many students said they are already excited for the upcoming intramural seasons. Nadia Williamson, freshman undecided major, said she is particularly anxious to participate.

“I’m extremely stoked about intramural sports,” Williamson said. “It’s the best thing ever.”

George Jeng, senior information systems major, said he believes that participating in intramural sports is a great way to socialize.

“It’s a good way to meet new people, with some friendly competition,” Jeng said.

According to the SRC Intramural Team Entry Form, it’s possible to put teams together in a variety of ways, such as groups consisting of a fraternity, sorority, residence hall, or even an international team.

Intramural Supervisor Amy Stonebreaker said she is happy with the role intramural sports serve in the student community.

“It’s a good social atmosphere to have fun with your friends,” Stonebreaker said.

Word of mouth has helped to spread the word about intramural sports to a myriad of students this year at ESU.

“I know a lot of people, so I hear a lot of stuff,” Jeng said. “I’ve also been going to school here for four years.”

As of now, the main sports accepting teams are flag football and kickball, with more to come at a later date.

To get a team for flag football together, students must find a group of people (a maximum of 20), submit a $30 fee and head down to the SRC center to sign up before September 11. Games will be held Sept. 21 through Oct. 22, Monday through Thursday. All teams will play two days a week, so be sure to write down on the sign-up sheet when your team can’t play. The games will be held at the intramural fields north of Interstate 35, under the bridge north of Welch Stadium. The league winners will receive a free shirt for each teammate.

To sign up for kickball, teams must have between nine and 16 people, and sign up is required before Sept. 16. The tournament will be held on Sept. 17, from 4 p.m. until dark. The tournament will also be held at the intramural fields north of Interstate 35. The kickball tournament is free.

For a complete listing off all sports and activities, visit the student recreation Web site at http://www.emporia.edu/recsport, or call the Recreation Programs Department at 620-341-6778. Information can also be retrieved at the Student Recreation Center’s reception desk.

Zac Burt/The Bulletin

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