Intramural teams start fall season

Kristen Sudela competed in volleyball, basketball andcheerleading in high school and has played sports since she wassix. Like many others, continuing sports in college did not appealto her because of the time commitment and intense level ofcompetition. Rather than quitting all together, Sudela, the ChiOmega Intramural Chair, chose to become involved inintramurals.

“Going from being very involved in sports in high schoolto hardly any involvement was hard, but by participating inintramurals I get to be vigorously involved again,” Sudelasaid.

The difference in intensity between high school sports andcollege sports keeps many people from making the leap to thecollege level. Playing intramurals is the easy solution for theseformer athletes who still feel the need to compete. SMU offers agreat intramural program, where both seasoned athletes can continueto show off their talent and beginners can learn new sports.

Intramurals not only gives students a chance to continue playingthe sport they love, but they also provide students a greatopportunity to meet other people who share similar interests. Teamsports, such as volleyball, soccer and basketball allow students toform teams and compete at a level where they can enjoythemselves.

Residence Halls, sororities, fraternities, groups of friends andeven people with the same majors assemble teams to compete withtheir organization.

Intramurals is especially big with first years.

“Boaz Hall is the most involved residence hall on campusin intramurals,” said Boaz Intramural Chair J.W.Marshall.

Boaz is involved in every sport in progress right now, includingthree soccer teams and, not one, but two women’s volleyballteams.

“We have a lot of high school heroes,” Marshallsaid, and all the residents are “ridiculouslyenthusiastic” about competing.

The price of participating isn’t high, just $10 forindividual sports and $50 per team for team sports. The team priceincludes a $25 entry fee and a $25 forfeit fee.

“Players and teams are highly encouraged to attend everygame. The incentive, other than the opportunity for competition isthe forfeit fee will be returned if teams show up to everygame,” said Intramural Director Chris Hutton.

Volleyball, tennis and soccer are all in progress right now, butlater in the semester flag football, billiards, table tennis andeven water polo start up. A tug-of-war competition also takes placeduring Homecoming.

For the spring semester, intramurals will include softball,basketball, dodge ball and golf.

The competition differs in intensity so all skill levels arewelcome.

For more information on intramurals, stop by the Dedman Centeror call (214) 768-3367.