Grabbing a friend and enjoying a casual game of basketball or volleyball is becoming easier at STU as the intramural program put on by the athletics department enters its third year.
Last week was the intramural basketball playoffs, with students of all skill levels competing for the title of intramural champions. And with eight teams, organizers think the program is gaining popularity.
“It’s [had] strong [turnouts] from the start,” said athletics coordinator Valdis Tomsons.
St. Thomas students previously used the UNB intramural program, but when the Richard J. Currie Center was built, the fees went up for STU students. This meant some students wouldn’t be able to participate. Athletics director Michael Eagles got together with the student sports reps, and came up with an intramural program for STU.
“We’re happy that there’s interest in it. We’re not just about varsity athletics. We want the whole well-being of all our students, and intramurals plays a part in that,” said Tomsons.
Intramurals works in tandem with the school’s semesters. Fall offers students basketball and in winter semester it’s volleyball.
The league consists of eight teams, divided by residences, with an off-campus team as well. Tomsons said he’s impressed with student-athletes’ commitment to the program. Only four games were forfeited because of not enough players.
“A little bit of spirited competition and socializing is going to be good for the wellness of our students,” said Tomsons.
The program gives students an opportunity to go out and play a competitive sport, get exercise and meet new people. Raissa Musoni is in her fourth year at St. Thomas, and has played intramural basketball for the past two years.
“You get the exercise,” said Musoni. “But it’s really fun to get really into it, try to win, and make new friends.”
Intramurals are open to anyone, not just people who have played the sport. Jeremy Trevors played his first year of intramural basketball this semester after not playing for two years.
“You have some [people] play who’ve played [at] university, you have some people [who] played [in] high school, and some people who have never played at all. It’s a good mix,” said Trevors.
Although Trevors didn’t make it to all of the games, he found when he was there, people were in good spirits.
“Everybody really seemed to be enjoying themselves, even the ones that didn’t play basketball. Everyone was laughing and joking around.”
Musoni agrees, and found that though people wanted to win, the final score wasn’t the top priority.
“It’s all different levels, and to have people who aren’t going to get mad at you for missing a shot, it’s just fun,” said Musoni.
Because intramurals at STU just started, it has room to grow. The athletics department is willing to explore other sports, depending on the amount of interest as well as the cost of making it happen.
“If there’s interest in a sport, we’ll try to do it,” said Tomsons.
The championship game was played Monday night at 9 p.m., between Education and Harrington. The winner was not known before time of publication.
