by Rick Schneider 

December 8, 2009

When you were preparing for college you were told to “get involved” and “make new friends.” You were told that college is where you will make most of your long-term friends. But meeting new people can often be challenging. So what is the best way to meet your new best friend?

According to college help websites, besides joining a club or working for the campus newspaper, playing an intramural sport is a top way to broaden your base of friends on campus. 

Intramural sports are not only a social outlet but it provides students with a much needed break from all the studying and homework.   

An alarming number of college students say they are stressed, so intramural sports allow students to escape the pressure of college life and just have fun. 

Students that are worried about the “Freshman 15” can relax because intramural sports are an excellent source of exercise. And the list goes on.  

There are so many benefits to getting involved in intramural sports and it is great that Elmhurst College offers them but I think we can do better.  

I know this might be an unfair comparison but an excerpt from Brigham Young University’s Intramural Program states, “Throughout the years, the program has grown and the participation has surged to over 12,000 students, faculty/staff and BYU ward members who participate each year in the activities provided by the Intramural Program. The Intramural Program has grown to include over 30 activities throughout the year.” 

I know it says that there are 12,000 participants that are active in the program which is almost four times as many students we have on campus, but let’s continue to compare nonetheless.  

As last Tuesday marked the end of the volleyball intramural sessions there was a noteworthy increase in the number of new teams this year.  Although past years have been fun, it is more enjoyable when you have different competition instead of playing the same team every week.

This year, there were 12 teams (each with five or more players), and around 60 or more participants-which is good but can be improved.  

In the next part of BYU’s statement they mention that faculty and staff also participated in the intramurals. 

This was not the case at Elmhurst.  How fun would it be to see your science professor spike the ball or get blocked by your faculty advisory?  

Of course they are busy with their own lives but a little intramural activity might help relieve some of their stress as well.  

BYU also mentions that they have grown to include over 30 activities ranging from flag football, soccer, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, golf, badminton, volleyball, racquetball, kickball, wallyball softball and basketball. 

How many of these sports does Elmhurst have? As of right now I know of volleyball, basketball and dodgeball. 

Maybe we don’t have the athletic facilities BYU does but there are courts for badminton and racquet ball.  Kickball can be played in the mall.  If there is a will there is a way.   

Certain students might prefer flag football opposed to volleyball but if only volleyball is being offered how is that fair to the student that would participate in flag football?  

Elmhurst’s intramural program needs to expand its range of intramural sports to make sure every student has an equal chance to participate in a sport they enjoy.

It doesn’t matter what skill level you are at, intramural sports is a time to get away from the busyness of college, be with friends and stay active.  There will be competition no doubt, but the only thing you are playing for is for fun and maybe a t-shirt.