Fall intramurals kick off

Being new to campus, most freshmen are overwhelmed with options to keeps them busy other than class.

Most options are rather time consuming and one might have to possess certain qualities just to join, but there is one option that is neither and that is intramural sports.

Intramural sports allows any one with an interest in competition to come out and enjoy themselves while meeting new people.

" It is an excellent way to get out and enjoy a particular sport and have some competitive fun with friends. It's not a large time commitment either," said Dan Hazlett, intramural director.

For all people, athletic or not, intramurals can accommodate any person. Anyone is welcome to come out and enjoy any of the 16 league sports offered.

"Students can play all of the 16 league sports we offer. Some are co-rec and women only...but all sports are open to all eligible participants," Hazlett said.

The great thing about intramurals is no experience is ever necessary.

" Most participants are not stellar athletes...they just love to play. They enjoy the sport and they still bring a desire to win," Hazlett said.

The sports offered range from flag football and basketball, to bowling and whiffleball. If you enjoy a good game of racquetball or feel like Ultimate Frisbee is more your goal, then intramurals can accommodate.

Be sure to check out the intramural website at www.campusrecreation.gatech.edu/im for all sports offered.

The sports are also conveniently broken down so that students may enjoy intramurals all year long. Each semester is broken down into two phases, which contain four sports each.

"There are two phases each semester with each lasting about seven weeks. For the fall, phase one has flag football, sand volleyball, whiffleball and ultimate Frisbee, with phase two having soccer, volleyball, billiards and bowling," Hazlett said.

So if the sport one wants isn't in the fall just wait until spring where even more sports are offered like basketball, indoor soccer and team dodgeball.

All sports occur either in the CRC or on the SAC fields so be sure to check the location of each sport on the intramural website.

In order to play, however, one must find a team. This can be done very easily through greek organizations or with friends you find in the dorm.

"Fraternities and sororities do an excellent job in organizing their teams. We've been working with Housing to improve their communication regarding intramurals, but the best way is getting friends together to organize a team," Hazlett said.

If you are having trouble finding a team, the website also offers a free agent page where students who are looking for teams can get together to form a team.

After the team is formed, be sure to assign a captain and have him/her attend the first captain's meeting of each phase to get et all the info for the team.

Each sport is also broken up into leagues. The leagues include fraternity, housing, independent, women, co-rec and graduate.

Depending on how you formed your team determines which league a team can possibly play in.

If you formed with some friends on your hall, then you would join the housing league, or if you are on a team from your greek organization then the league would be fraternity.

If you don't like any of these leagues, then the independent league may be the right match for you.

Ask your teammates and decide which league is the best fit for the team.

Each team will play six games and if your record is good enough then you can compete in the coveted playoffs to try to win your way to the top of the intramural world.

The intramural office also offers employment to students.

Students are always needed to help check players in and to offer any other assistance to the intramural office.

"For those looking to be part of a good group of students will also enjoy the program as a student employee," Hazlett said.

Also, referees are hired to help officiate all sports.

"We require no experience [to officiate] and offer paid training for all sports. Our first employment meeting is Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. in room 249 of the CRC," Hazlett said.

One can also continue to play on a team and still earn a little money officiating. " We permit referees to play...we actually encourage it," Hazlett said.

Student cannot go wrong with intramurals. It's a great way to meet new people, have fun and give you that needed break from all your classes.

If you think you might be interested in playing or being employed with intramurals, be sure to visit the intramural website for all the info.