CORRECTION: Original article quoted Intramural Sports Associate Director Brent Harrison. Quotes belong to Acting Assistant Shawn Newton.
Intramural sports at the University of Oregon is steadily increasing — 9,637 new students joined last year. With new events such as intramural battleship in the works, Acting Assistant Director Shawn Newton expects to see that number increase.
There are currently four intramural leagues for spring term: soccer, softball, ultimate and four-on-four grass volleyball, but Harrison is looking into adding Intramural Battleship in the future. The objective is to sink the opponent’s canoe by hurling pool water into his or her boat. Players use buckets, pool noodles and foam boards to throw and defend their boat from sinking.
“A lot of programs are really getting into it and I figured, what the heck, let’s give it a shot if we can,” Newton said.
In addition to expanding sports offerings, the organization provides employment to a number of university students.
Tyler Munds, a referee supervisor, has been a part of the UO intramural program for four years and has been a referee for seven different sports, as well as a player a on a few teams.
“You have to have thick skin because when people get competitive in the heat of the moment, people say things that they typically don’t say, and you can’t take it personally,” Munds said.
Despite their competitive nature, intramural sports provide the chance for students of all experience levels to get involved.
“It’s good for those players that played sports in high school, but aren’t necessarily good enough to play on a club or Division I team, so it’s nice to get a competitive outlet,” Munds said.
Teams that win their respected division win the traditional black Nike T-shirts that read “Oregon Intramural Champions” in yellow print on the front of the shirt.
“(The shirts) are very simple but yet highly desirable,” Newton said.
Last year’s ultimate coed championship team, “Jesus and the Disc-iples,” was formed after a group of kids that took ultimate frisbee as freshmen decided to make a team. Team Captain Robert McLauchlan has played intramural ultimate for three years, and is also on the UO Running Club.
McLauchlan said when he’s running with the club and on his own there is not a lot of competition, which is why he enjoys intramural sports.
“It’s something to look forward to after a long day of class,” McLauchlan said.
Sarah Spring, who was the co-captain of “Jesus and the Disc-iples,” was asked to be on her roommate’s intramural flag football team during her freshman year.
“It was a good bonding experience and good way to meet people,” Spring said.