Everything you need to know about intramural sports

BY SARA FARMER / Contributing Student Writer

Intramural sports are a great way to have fun playing sports without major commitments at Tarleton State University.

Conducted through the recreational facility, various sports are offered throughout the year, such as volleyball, flag football, kickball and dodgeball are offered in the fall. Basketball, soccer, softball, pickleball, table tennis, spikeball, cornhole and sand volleyball are offered in the spring. 

E-Sports also make an appearance in intramurals; Madden, MLB The Show and NBA 2K are all played in the fall.

These intramural sports are either played bracket style, taking up one day, or played in a season, taking up to two months to complete. 

Students enjoy the fun, noncompetitive side of intramurals. Junior Ashley Turk, a former multi-sport high school athlete, appreciates this.

“I really like intramural sports because they are not a huge time commitment,” Turk said. “I’m pretty packed, being a co-president of my church organization and with all of my classes, so playing club sports just is not realistic with my schedule.” 

Intramural sports are also a good way to bond with current friends and create new friendships. 

“I have always found sports to be an easy way to socialize with people,” Turk said. 

Turk made her high school friends through sports, playing volleyball, basketball, softball and running track for her school.

Most teams are made through residential halls or Greek life. Teams are also made through church groups, clubs or any other organization on campus. 

To be eligible to participate in intramural sports, participants need to either be a student or faculty member at Tarleton. No prior experience is needed. 

Sports that are conducted in a bracket style manner, like soccer, do not require a payment fee per team. However, sports that have intramural seasons, like basketball, do require a payment. These payments are normally $40 per team. 

You are also required to provide your own gear, but only if necessary. For example, if you are playing intramural volleyball, you do not need to bring your own volleyball. However, if you are playing intramural softball, you will need to provide your own glove and bat. 

Intramural sports are not just enjoyable for the players. Several people gather to watch the games take place and cheer on their friends.

Freshman Jayden Lofton enjoys watching her sorority play in the intramural sports. 

“It is fun to come out and support our friends,” Lofton said.

Junior, Brooke Stermer, who is also the chairman for the Delta Zeta intramural sports enjoys watching. 

“It’s really entertaining,” Stermer said.

Recreation Center Manager, Courtney McLean, also enjoys participating in intramural sports.

“I have been working at the Rec for three years,” McLean said. “It's really good to bond with people, just by participating and interacting with the staff as well. They have a good friendship.”

Signing up for intramurals is done through IMLeagues. To set up your own team, go to the sport you want, click “create team,” and invite members. You can invite members to join your team by entering their name or student email and sending them a request.

For more information on intramural sports, contact The Recreation Center on campus, located at 610 N Rome Ave.