Intramural Sports provide an important service to BGSU students. BGSU’s Intramural Sports Program offers a variety of sports in which students can compete, from badminton to flag football to inner-tube water polo.
“Students will remember the friendships and bonds they created while playing,” said Grant Wallace, a Graduate Assistant for the Intramural Sports Program. “It enhances the college experience.”
Some of the more popular sports include flag football, basketball, soccer, and six-on-six volleyball. There are multiple divisions in which student teams can participate; men’s competitive and recreational, women’s competitive and recreation, co-recreation competitive and recreational, fraternity A and B, and sorority.
“We’re one of the largest organizations on campus,” added Wallace.
“There are around 130 to 150 flag football teams,” said Intramural Sports Program Graduate Assistant Rob Latva.
Flag football games are played Monday through Thursday evening. On Wednesday, October 7, BGSU students Craig Tusing, Pat Dougherty, and Austin Arnold, and Zach Gueth, members of the men’s recreational team Oakville enjoyed their first win of the season. All four agreed the win was their favorite part of the flag football intramurals.
While Dougherty and Arnold are seniors, Tusing and Gueth both have plans to play again in the future.
“It gives me a break,” stated Gueth. “I have such a busy schedule.”
Feelings, such as those expressed by Gueth, are common amongst students competing in Intramural Sports.
“It’s a stress reliever,” said Wallace. “The best part is you get a free t-shirt.”
Every team that wins an Intramural Sports Championship receives a free, Intramural Sports Championship t-shirt. The free t-shirt is not the only benefit of competing for an Intramural Sports Title.
“We offer some opportunities to those playing in championships,” stated Latva, “some will be playing in the Doyt.”
While the flag football season is winding down, there are still many other sports offered by the Intramural Sports Program for which students can still register. Badminton, team handball, and whiffleball are just a few of the sports still available for the Fall 2009 semester.
“We have a new sport that’s never been tried before, long drive golf,” said Latva. “We’re taking registration until next Wednesday (October 14.) Inner-tube water polo is a lot of fun. We also have tennis ball, which is an indoor version of softball.”
In addition to providing the opportunity to compete with fellow BGSU students, the Intramural Sports Program also offers students the chance to compete with students from rival UT.
“We do a BG vs. UT Battle of Champions,” stated Latva. “This year flag football will be in the Doyt and basketball will be played at UT.”
Champions from the fraternity A, men’s, women’s, and co-recreation competitive divisions will have the chance to compete in the BG vs. UT Battle of Champions.
The BG vs. UT Battle of Champions is not the only opportunity to compete against students from other schools offered by the Intramural Sports Program.
“We offer regional tournaments with schools from surrounding states,” said Latva. “Students can compete against other universities and move on to nationals. This year they’re in Tampa in January.”
Students interested in regional tournaments can inquire at the Intramural Sports Program office at Perry Field House, Room 130. Additional information about Intramural Sports can be found at http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/recwell/intramurals/index.html.