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.