By By TRICIA MCCANN
Staff Writer
Are you a student who wants to get involved on campus but doesn’t know where to go? Maybe you want to meet new students while getting out of the classroom. If this sounds like you, then perhaps consider joining IU South Bend’s intramural sports.
With 11 different choices, intramurals encompass a wide range of activities for students. Part-time Fitness and Activities Coordinator Natalie Tavernier described some of this year’s changes.
“We threw in this year a lot of individual intramurals such as tennis, billiards and racquet ball. Our newest intramural that we have is KanJam and it’s a lot like a mix between football, soccer and ultimate Frisbee that we’re hoping will take off this year.”
The very popular flag football game will take place this year for its first match on Sept. 15.
“I compete every year,” said student Zack Rekos. “It just gets students involved, it gives students something fun to do besides schoolwork.”
While some students are excited for the more physical sports and activities, IUSB also offers some low-key activities such as billiards and Bowl Pick ‘Em. Another student, Amir Blythe, said he is “very interested.”
“It’s a super calm sport, you aren’t jumping around and stuff,” Blythe said.
Other types of intramurals available include dodgeball, a golf scramble, three-on-three basketball and four-on-four volleyball.
Some changes have been made to the process of signing up for intramurals.
“All the intramural sports are available online through imleagues.com and that’s how students sign up and select all the sports,” Tavernier said. “And now we actually opened up all the sports on the first day of classes for the whole semester. You go in one time and sign-up for all the sports you want, join teams or sign-up a whole team.”
More information is available on the Student Activities Center website and front desk.
Some students may be unaware of the difference between club and intramural sports. Tavernier explained that intramurals are free and at the student’s own pace. Clubs sports are the next step down from varsity sports. Students pay membership fees, travel and compete against other school teams. Intramurals are just held within the IUSB campus.
All the sports for the fall are already selected, but students can help influence future activities. Ideas on what other sports should be offered may be sent to Tavernier at nltavern@iusb.edu or Director of Student Life Scott Strittmatter at sstrittm@iusb.edu.
“If you have an interest in starting a new intramural we can try it out” Tavernier said.
Deadlines for this semester’s intramurals vary between each month and close at noon the Monday before the posted start date. Some sports are also a single-day event. For more information visit iusbtitans.com.
