Sports
Getting sporty all around campus
The Pointer
shee298@uwsp.edu
Since the great Greek tradition of Olympic athletics, mankind has carried the weight of improvement and the joy of competition in sport. The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point carries on these standards in the realm of both team and individual progression. Whether it is varsity, club or intramural, outlets of sport are about as easy to come by in UWSP as mythology was in ancient Greece.
Intramural sports are defined by avid intramural participant Jackson Butler, a junior at UWSP as, “A good way to get your competitive juices flowing and a great way to stay in shape.”
The UWSP Web site lists the mission statement of intramurals as “dedicated to providing students, faculty and staff of the university many opportunities for involvement within a healthy, safe and competitive environment. Activities in the intramural program enhance the college experience promoting responsibility, sportsmanship and fun.”
Competition levels range from the most competitive level, Division I, to the laid-back level, Division III. Butler, who has competed in all divisions, says, “You can either have an attitude of just trying to make the most fun out of it, or come to compete.” With about 18 sports to choose from, most can find a little fight inside to take up anything from ultimate frisbee, to bean bag toss, to wiffleball.
Club sports are not sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association but they do increase the level of commitment, strategy and competition. Wendy Treder, a sophomore at UWSP and member of SHOCKWAVE, UWSP’s Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Club, said, “Club athletics are for those who want a more in-depth experience with their sport. There are practices to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each player, coaches, scheduled competitions and there is more seriousness to what is being done.”
Treder and her team enjoy being recognized as a Point team, replete with UWSP jerseys and also enjoy being around people. Both their team and their opponents have an in depth knowledge and training in what they are doing. Most club sports are formed by people with a competitive drive whose sport is not offered among the varsity listings.
Varsity sports should also be recognized. The competition level of varsity athletics at UWSP is apparent when examining the workload of junior Claire Roberts, a cross country standout for two years. On average, Roberts and her teammates run 60 miles a week. She also lifts weights twice a week and competes every weekend. She gets only four weeks off a year.
These facts show the level of commitment that is required by UWSP’s varsity athletes. Unlike intramurals and club, the NCAA supports varsity athletics, with UWSP being in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Nationals are the highest competition for all divisions within the NCAA, the “Olympics of college,” and for Roberts, this is a big incentive.
“The real goal that gets me through the tough workouts is going to nationals as a team. We are all working hard for each other to achieve that goal, and it’s going to take every person on the team to make that happen.”
Being a part of Division III means no scholarships are granted, so varsity Pointers are fueled solely by competition, passion and the strength they get from their teammates.
As Butler, Treder and Roberts would agree, that’s what it’s all about. From Athens to Stevens Point, loving the weight of improvement and the joy of competition.
