As the school year begins to unwind so do Intramural events

With only two weeks of regular classes remaining the campus recreation staff is beginning to close out the 2010-2011 intramural season. Currently, only one intramural is still being played.

Last week the first ever spring four on four volleyball intramural league kicked off its inaugural season with a weather postponement due to wet sand, and dangerous playing conditions. Games were pushed to Monday and every game that was scheduled for that night was completed as planned.

Unlike other intramural events beach volleyball starts earlier in the evening. The first games are always played at 5 p.m. so that students can take advantage of the weather, and to avoid poor lighting conditions. The rules of beach volleyball are exactly the same of indoor volleyball. Each team plays with four people. If that team has an extra player on their roster then they must rotate them in accordingly. It is a best of five games format, if the two teams are forty five minutes into their match and have yet to play the fourth or fifth sets then the games are shortened to fifteen. Each game must be won by two points. If the net is touched by any player at any time during a volley then the play is stopped and the opposing team is rewarded with the point.

As the month of April slows down the staff hopes that all of the upcoming games will take place as scheduled without any weather delays. "The first night everyone was excited to play, we all play beach together outside of the intramural during our free time and its too bad we had to cancel because of the bad court conditions. Hopefully from now on we can get all of the teams to their matches on time, and complete each match before the playoffs start", said Intramural Supervisor Nate Goralnik.

The final intramural event of the school is the annual spring softball tournament that will take place on a Saturday. The exact date has yet to be determined but students can expect to receive an email notifying them of the event in the next couple of days. 

Avoiding the freshman fifteen

As high school seniors prepare for graduation and look ahead to their lives in college, one health related question seems to be of major concern. What is the best way to avoid the dreaded “freshman fifteen?” For those of you who don’t know, the freshman fifteen refers to the excessive weight gained during a student’s freshman year. Fifteen pounds has become a suspected average and some students gain a lot less or a lot more weight. The reasons for this weight gain are simple. College is typically the first time students are expected to make their own health and nutrition decisions on their own. With buffet style cafeterias all across the country, students are opting for fattier and greasier foods. These comfort foods often help students deal with home sickness as well as the stress that goes along with transition to a new atmosphere.

In spite of all this, there is still hope. Students can take a few easy steps towards keeping themselves fit and healthy. The first step actually encourages more frequent eating.

1. Eat small snacks: The school day for a college student is typically long and drawn out. The reason for this relates directly to the amount of clubs and activities on campus, as well as the way many students’ schedule are spread throughout an entire day. As a result, many students find themselves binging at the cafeteria. This means that since they only eat two or three times a day, they are forced to fill up when they hit the caf. As a result, the body doesn’t have ample time to metabolize and students in turn gain excess weight. By keeping yourself nourished throughout the day you deny the temptation to binge. Constantly having food in your stomach will actually help you to lose weight as it keeps your metabolism going.

2. Eat smart: Everyday, the cafeteria offers burgers, pizza, cake and French fries. Having these delicious fatty foods available all the time is certainly difficult. If the dining hall doesn’t offer something you like then you’ll be even more likely to indulge in these fatty foods, which are provided every day. It is important to recognize and utilize your campus’ salad and sandwich bars. If there aren’t any main courses that appeal to you. Have a sandwich soup and salad. These three things are offered just as often as pizza and burgers and they’ll definitely be better for you.

3. Stay conscious, even late: When the cafeteria is closed and the options become limited, it’s easy to order take-out. In doing so, you expose yourself to late night calories and carbohydrates that your body can’t burn, they are then stored as fat. To avoid this, keep your refrigerator stocked with healthy snacks. If you have healthy food around you’ll be much less likely to call for something fatty.

4. Manage your alcohol consumption: Alcohol is full of empty calories. Students often forget that consuming alcohol frequently results in massive weight gains. In order to avoid this one must manage their intake. Only have a few drinks. Binging on alcohol is just as detrimental as binging on food as far as your metabolism is concerned. Simply don’t forget that alcohol packs on the pounds.

5. Join and Intramural: Intramural sports are a great way to stay active. When the body exercises, metabolism dramatically increases. By joining intramurals, you commit yourself to exercise on a fixed schedule. These organized events will also encourage you to stay active when you aren’t participating.

Pool is cool

Billiards are ancient games that date all the way back to the 15th century. There are multiple types of of billiard games also known as cue sports but pool is the most well known in America. Eight ball and nine ball are the two most popular and nine ball is what the pros play on TV. Pool is a game of angles, patience, touch, positioning and strategy (as in looking ahead to the next shot). There are a lot of different things that a person needs to be a good pool player. There are different types of ways to hit the cue ball to make it spin a certain dircetion, known as "putting english one it", you have to know how to jam the cue ball to make it stop in a certain spot, you have to know how to jump the cue ball and you have to know how hard/where you want to hit the cue ball so you can make the current shot and then have the cue ball lined up to make the next shot after it. If you have ever watched pool on TV then you know that one mistake can make you lose the match. Pro's like Jeannette Lee (the black widow) sit around waiting for their openent to make that one mistake so they can takeover and run the table. Pool intramurals started on April 5, but if you're ever bored and are looking for something fun to do with a bunch of friends and just want to hang out and socialize, head down to the bubble and shoot some pool.

Stretch and stay hydrated

As the weather improves and we spend more and more time outside, we need to remember these two important things before we leave it all on the field or in the back yard.

1. Stretch: Even if you’re going for a slow jog you can never be too careful. Be sure to stretch before and after physical activity to prevent serious injury. April Johnson of Yahoo.com puts it best, “When you lift weight, your muscles exert force in order to overcome the stress. When you exert more force than what your muscles are used to exerting in daily activities, they develop micro tears in the fibers.” This is natural. However, in order to benefit from physical activity you need to gain elasticity. Without stretching, these muscles and fibers will remain stiff and greatly increase any chance of injury.

2. Remain Hydrated: As the days heat up and the sun burns brighter, it is important to keep hydrated. According to ExtremeNutrition.com, “75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population) In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even mild dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.” So if you’re out tossing the ball around with friends or shooting some hoops at your local park, bring water. In many cases, people know they are dehydrating before they suffer exhaustion. If you aren’t near a water source you need to know your limits. Just because your friends seem all right doesn’t mean you can go on forever without a break or a drink.

You’ve probably been hearing this advice your entire life. Don’t take it for granted. Every year, muscles are torn and athletes collapse due to a sheer stubbornness and naivety. These spring and summer months are what New Englanders look forward to all year. Make them count, but don’t forget to stretch and remember to keep water with you wherever you go.

We Need Your Help!

Traffic has been increasing and more and more intramural athletes have been drawn to our site. However, we need more readership. We need your teammates, your friends, your parents and anyone else who might be interested in intramural sports. So here is where you come in.... What can we do to improve our site? Let us know, check out the contacts section and don’t be shy about sending us emails. We want to hear from you!

Spring weather is here...and so is beach volleyball

The snow at Franklin Pierce has finally stopped...or so we think. As the temperatures continue to climb into the upper forties and low fifties the campus recreation department has announced that the outdoor volleyball court will be set up on April 7th.
As most students know last year the trailers housing units were knocked down due to poor building conditions. This left a large vacant lot on far side of campus. Campus recreation director Doug Carty decided to build an outdoor beach volleyball court for the students. The new court not only provided students with a new pass time activity but it paved the way to a new, fall intramural event. The fall four verse four beach volleyball intramural was a highly successful event which lasted deep into the month of October. Students were still seen on the court in frigid weather conditions, adamant about wrapping their seasons up with an intramural championship tee-shirt.
Once the court is re-opened, and the sand is tampered with and loosened a new spring event will take place. The schools first spring four verse four and two verse two tournaments will take place. The dates have yet to be determined but there is already a buzz about the event circulating throughout the campus.
The court will be open to everyone on campus and students will have the opportunity to rent volleyballs from the bubble in exchange for their Franklin Pierce I.D.'s
"I am really excited to get out on the court. The last time I played on it the weather was miserable but my team stuck it out in nothing but shorts to capture the first ever beach volleyball championship, said Senior Justin Wiener."
One of Weiner's teammates from that championship team fellow Senior Brandon Burton added, " Volleyball is probably my favorite intramural on campus. Over spring break my friends and I traveled to Florida and played everyday. I think this years tournament will be a huge success and I look forward to seeing the turn out."
For more information on the upcoming event you can stop by the bubble. You can also email Doug Carty or Brad Avenia.

Summer is around the corner...

With summer vacation just a month away, the opportunities to join Franklin Pierce Intramurals is slowly fading away. There is still time to sign up for a few events that will take place over the next couple weeks, but if you are a returning student or an incoming freshman reading this, then here are some times to follow for the fall semester.

Over the course of the summer, stay active by participating in some of your favorite sporting games within your local town. Whether it is baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, etc, just get out there and play because as Nick mentioned last week, staying active is a great way to meet new people, keep in touch with old friends, and stay in shape. If your town does not offer such activities that Franklin Pierce Intramurals, then be proactive by getting people together and forming groups/ teams that can play against each other once a week at your local park.

Don't feel down if you missed out on not participating in any intramurals this past year as in the fall semester flag football and softball will be starting up a couple of weeks into the year. Get people from your hallway or dormitory complex and come out and play. As we have mentioned, it is a great way to meet new people or introduce yourself to people that you would not ordinarily talk to in the first place.

Don't complain about having nothing to do when intramural sports is being held every Monday through Thursday both semesters.

Intramural Soccer Shows Promise

There is a sport that is not only played but is also known as a way of life and religion in many other parts of the world. Soccer, known around the world as the “beautiful game,” is not just a sport to many societies but a way of life. When the World Cup is played more than half the world stops; towns, cities and even countries shut down and when major European club’s play their cities stop to watch, “When Manchester United and Liverpool collide, those two cities shut down for the game”(sportsinsociety.blogspot.com).
Alright, so Franklin Pierce Intramural Soccer isn't exactly Manchester United vs. Liverpool but it still has a lot of good competition and it also show's promise and proof that the game of soccer is growing in America. Having been a soccer fan my whole life and taking part in the intramural league myself I have been impressed with the competition. There are a lot of Pierce soccer players taking part in the league form both the girls and boys side which is good because it allows for friends who are playing with them to learn more about the game. Having said that, there are plenty of decent players who are playing just to kick the ball around. Sure they might not be as skilled as the Pierce players are but their understanding of the game is impressive.
I have been around the game of soccer for a very young age. Growing up through the 90's till now it's impressive to see how much the sport of soccer has grown in the past 10-15 years. In playing intramurals I have seen that the skill of the average high school/ travel club players is a lot better than where it used to be. But it's really the tactical side of the game that has impressed me with intramurals. Growing up through the 90' (as we all did) there was a lot of what they call "kick and chase" soccer. Which is basically kick the ball down the field and run after it. They also used to call it "complete crap, American Soccer" and it's true, it was crap. Unfortunately it was coached a lot because most average recreation and club soccer coaches though that was the way it was suppose to be played. But that can't be further from the truth. Soccer is a game of patience and possession, and it's also a game where you have to know how to how to position yourself in that exact moment on the field.
This is what has been impressive while watching/playing intramural soccer. People aren't playing the old "kick and chase" game. The sport has finally seemed to have grown enough where your average person who has played soccer at some point in their life knows that the ball needs to be possessed and worked around the field in order for something good to happen. In ways they know when/where to position their selves on the field and when to transition quickly or slow it down. Granted there are some people who don't have any idea what they're doing but all around it's decent and it shows that my generation and the generation below are the ones who are really starting to take the game to a new level and starting to grasp the true ideas behind the game. The past 10 years have been really exciting for the game of soccer and it is continuing to grow in America as it is currently the most played recreational sport in the United States. It is very exciting to be playing intramural soccer and noticing that the "beautiful game" is starting to become beautiful in American society.

Should our campus offer more choices...

Intramurals have undoubtedly been a success on campus with seemingly more and more participants each semester. However, there are many students that have yet to find a sport right for them. In an effort to get more students involved, the campus should consider adding a few more sports and activities.

Lacrosse- Lacrosse is one of the most rapidly growing sports in America. The major issue with adding this as an intramural would likely be the lack of equipment. However, many high schools across the country are playing lacrosse without hitting or pads. Also, training sticks are available at a very low price, $20-50. The team on campus has gained an impressive following over the past few years and has shown great improvement. It might be time to offer the sport to everyone.

Poker- There are currently several recreational tournaments throughout the year, but imagine an intramural poker night. Students could enter the league for no cash value and play a heads-up or elimination style tournament for the title of intramural poker champion. It would be the most intimate intramural on campus and could meet just once a week.

Ultimate Frisbee- The sport has been gaining legs on campus and there are even talks of a club team coming into form. The best way to get this going would be to add and promote the sport as an intramural. A casual league could help attract the necessary interest and get things moving toward a new club team in the next few years.

Badminton- A favorite in gym classes across America, badminton would undoubtedly attract a lot of students. Singles and doubles leagues could both be introduced and allow students the chance to take out their aggression on a small court with no repercussions.

Kickball- A staple of our days in elementary school, kickball would be the ultimate dose of nostalgia. However, since it would be an intramural, teams would form prior to the season. Thus, eliminating every student‘s nightmare of being the last one picked.

Handball- A popular sport in other countries, handball leans heavily on a team dynamic. It would require a large number of participants so almost anyone could find a place on the court.

The Many Benefits of Intramural Sports

The term intramurals derives from the Latin words intra muros meaning "within walls", and was used to indicate sports matches and contests that took place among teams from "within the walls" of an ancient city. The initial benefits of intramural sports are obvious; better health, physical activity weight loss, etc. However, there is a whole lot more to gain than just a healthier student body.

1. Social: Intramural sports are a great way to meet new people on campus. Organizing a team gives student’s an excuse to go out and make friends, to find those with similar interests and compete against people they may have never met otherwise.

2. Competitive: Student athletes benefit greatly from competition. While intramurals aren’t typically about winning or losing, the competition level remains high. For most students, division two athletics simply aren’t an option. Whether it is a lack of athletic aptitude or a simple lack of time, intramurals typically meet just twice a week. They give a student the chance to compete and blow off some steam without the stress of practices, workouts and traveling.

3. Leadership: For many students, intramurals is their chance to lead. Too many students drift through college without ever grabbing the reigns of anything. By becoming an intramural captain you take on responsibilities that you may not discover otherwise. Whether it is a pre-game meal or simply emailing your teammates a schedule, leaders are born through intramurals. Once you hit the court/field/sand/etc. you become a motivator and a catalyst for success.

4. Teamwork: The team dynamic is something employers thirst for. A common interview question might be, “how have you collaborated as a team.” For those of us who find working alone to be an easier way to succeed, intramurals may be the answer to that dreaded question. Also, what could be a better way to get closer with your friends than competing alongside them?

5. Fun: Schoolwork, tests and exams can be daunting tasks. It’s great to have a means of relief without engaging in dangerous behaviors. Imagine a long day of classes and homework. Seven O’clock comes around and the TV just isn’t cutting it. Try signing up for an intramural to take your mind off the daily grind!

Intramural Basketball Championship Game

#2 Team Spirit wins in a upset over #1 and undefeated Showtime...check for pictures of the game in the photo gallery coming soon!

New event Sign-ups

Intramural Flag Football and Intramural Soccer sign-ups will take place tomorrow, March 22nd inside the Bubble Clubhouse.

Be sure to come out, sign up your friends, and make a team

Flag Football at 6:00PM
Soccer at 6:20PM

There is a $10 forfeit deposit

Any questions...contact Director of Campus Recreation Brad Avenia at Aveniab@franklinpierce.edu

Intramural Basketball final tonight!

Unfortunately the Ravens basketball season has come to an end, but there is still basketball left to be played at the Field House. Tonight at 8:15, the Intramural Basketball Championship will take place between the top 2 teams in the league. #1 Showtime will face off against #2 Team Spirit as it will surely be a close contest.

The players from Showtime have played with each other for years as most were teammates during their high school years at Conant, while Team Spirit has great ball handlers and speed to the basket. Team Spirit does lack height underneath the rim, which may hamper them on second chance opportunities. Don't forget, Showtime comes into tonight's game undefeated on the season.

Come out tonight and support your friends on the time or simply watch some high quality basketball action. There is no admission fee and tipoff is at 8:15PM.

Basketball Semi-Final Matchups are set

Monday's Quarterfinal match-ups saw every game but one go according to the rankings. The top seeded Showtime team cruised to an easy first round victory, seeing little resiliency from thier 8th seeded opponent. The number 2 seeded Team Spirit cruised passed Team Glosh. Team Spirit won by only twelve points but the final score didn't tell the story of the game which saw Team Spirit excel in transition, finding wide open jumpers all night and easy lay ups. Team Diecho was the 3rd seeded team and cruised by the A-Team punching thier ticket into the semis. The lone upset of the night was the nightcap feature the four seeded Lakeview 11 team matching up against the five seeded Team Cynnie. Earlier in the year these two teams played to final buzzer with Lakeview 11 sneaking out the victory by 2. Monday's game was a different story. Lakeview 11 struggled from the field all night long and couldnt put any offense together, seeing their chances a semi final birth slowly fall out of reach in the second half.

Tonights semi-final pairings have the #1 seed Showtime facing the #5 seed Team Cynnie at 7pm. The night cap will see the #2 seed Team Spirit paired up against the #3 seeded Team Dieocho. The winners of tonights game won't face one another until the 21st of March due to the upcoming Spring Break for students.

Floor Hockey Playoffs

If Basketball does not do it for you, then come down to the bubble this week on Tuesday and Thursday nights starting at 6PM to watch some floor hockey playoffs.

Many teams are comprised of former hockey players, whether they played in high school or some form at the college level. There are faculty members from the athletic department, including the head coach from the Ravens hockey team. There is also a nice mix of grade level as well, which helps keep things fresh.

Likewise with the basketball playoffs, it will be single elimination. Win or go home and the prize for winning it all will be the infamous Intramural champions t-shirt and the bragging rights that come with it.

Stay tuned for updates later today with Tuesday's match-ups.

Playoff Intramural Basketball

It is that time of the year ladies and gentlemen. Playoff basketball is in the air. The NBA is a month away from the playoffs, the Men's and Women's NCAA college basketball tournament will begin within the next week, but if you can't wait that long, then come down to the FieldHouse tonight at 7PM to watch Intramural playoff Basketball.

All eight teams make the playoffs this year, so every team has a chance at winning it all. The #1 seeded Showtime who finished undefeated will take on #8 Crushers, who failed to get a win this season. #2 Team Spirit will face #7 Team Glosh. #3 Dieciocho will go up against #6 The A-Team and the last match-up will be a clash between #4 Lakeview 11 and #5 Team Cynnie.

Each game proves to be an interesting game as each team has a different mix of skill levels. The league has demonstrated to be very competitive this winter and I expect it to carry over tonight as playing in the FieldHouse where the FP Ravens play will bring out a certain intensity in everyone.

The tournament is single elimination as games will take place tonight, Wednesday, and the championship game will be the following Sunday after we get back from spring break. Come out and support your friends or just come down and add to the atmosphere of the games.

Indoor Volleyball has begun in the Bubble!

This Tuesday one of Franklin Pierce's most popular intramural events began; indoor volleyball. For years indoor volleyball has seen large turnouts for this co-ed intramural that has a much more laid back to feel to it than most. This specific intramural allows students from all over campus to come together as a team and compete for an hour ever Tuesday and Thursday.
The ground rules for Volleyball are fairly simple; each team fields six players at a time. If a team is carrying more than six players on their roster then they will rotate the bench players in clockwise. The games are best of five and each game is played two twenty one and the team must win by two points.
One each court there are yellow lines painted on the court which are used to designate the out of bound areas. When each team is exchanging a rally the ball must clear the net, if a player interferes with the net then the opposing team is given the point. Also, if one team touches the ball for than three times during a rally then the play is blown dead and the opposing team is given a point. One important rule that many competitors fail to take advantage of is the usage of feet. You are allowed to keep a ball up with a kick or chip.
The season lasts til mid spring and then playoffs will begin. Depending on the amount of teams registered will effect the bracket layout. In some cases a play down game will take place between the two teams with the worst overall records.
Good sportsmanship is expected of each team, failure to abide by these basic guidelines could result in a player or team being dismissed from the league based on the severity of the offense. Best of luck to all of the teams competing and we will see you on the courts.