Sports
A new chapter for UW-SP intramurals in fall of 2009
Sports Reporter
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Intramurals have always been a consistent, fun way for college students to stay active and meet new people. However, a lot of changes seem to be hitting this department at the same time. Intramurals will be expanding and growing in adjustment to these changes coming the fall 2009 semester.
New sports have already been added this year and more changes are in the making to enhance student options and increase participation.
This is the first year that softball has been introduced as a league. In previous years, it has just been a weekend tournament.
“Softball will be kept as a choice mainly in the first fall block because of inconsistent weather patterns that occur frequently in the spring,” said Jenny Larson, the new student manager of intramurals.
Billiards and table tennis have also just been added in the Brewhaus this semester. The reaction of the students to the two new options has been incredibly reinforcing to the intramural staff.
“Leagues like this add a new dynamic to intramurals, and we feel it encourages people with more diverse interests to try something new,” Larson said.
Wiffleball, a variation of baseball, will be added next year as a choice on the intramurals list of activities. It is a part of Larson’s job to explore this sport due to the many variations of the game.
“I think people will love wiffleball,” said UW-SP student and participant of a variety of intramural sports, Craig Miller. “As long as it’s not like trench ball, which can ruin friendships if taken too seriously,” he added jokingly.
Along with the expansion of sport choices, the number of participants in intramurals keeps expanding as well.
“We get roughly 300 to 400 more sign-ups every year,” Larson said. “We feel that introducing more options for leagues every year will keep the numbers high and rising.”
The last change is at the intramural department is a transition in staff.
“The head official and student manager are both graduating this semester,” Larson said. “There basically will be a new staff entirely this fall; it should be interesting.”
