PHOTO BY FRANKIE SANCHEZ

Beka Rutledge
Assisstant Editor

Web Editor: For more intermurals photos, click here!

It’s always exciting to watch collegiate sports. The team spirit and energy during games is very intoxicating at times.

What most students aren’t aware of, however, is that they have the opportunity to participate in sports if they so desire. No, these aren’t the teams where players wear fancy uniforms or get scholarships. These teams are a part of intramural sports. Anyone is allowed to play and it is free.

Intramurals is a great way to meet new friends and it provides the opportunity to play sports for students who didn’t get, or want, to play for the collegiate teams. It’s also a chance to just hang out and have fun.

Many intramural sports are offered. The major ones are football, basketball, softball, and volleyball. A few minor sports are sand volleyball, soccer, tennis and bowling. There are even a few golf scrambles offered.

PHOTO BY FRANKIE SANCHEZ

In the fall semester, the big sport is, of course, football. Intramural football is flag. You are not allowed to touch another person. If one player runs into another, it is a penalty. During the game, there are thirty plays allowed. At the end of the thirty plays, the team with the most points is the winner.

“This year we have 55 teams total,” Warren Baker, student supervisor, said. “There are 41 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams.”

The season is set up to allow each team three regular season games, and then there is a tournament. The championship game is played in Kimbrough stadium, and it is considered a big deal by the players.

For the past two years, the champion team has been the Gamecocks. This team has had a strong reputation on the field for years now.

When asked what the Gamecocks’ chances of taking home the championship again this year is, Baker said, “Pretty good, they only lost one or two players and added a few more good players.”

“But there are 55 teams, and with all the new freshmen, you can’t really tell,” he added.

The quarterback for the Gamecocks is Blan Scott, a senior at WTAMU. He played for the WT Buffaloes for two years and this is his second year playing with the Gamecocks.

“It’s been a good experience,” Scott said.

If you take the opportunity to watch an intramural flag football game, it’s obvious the players have fun.

However, they also have the much needed intensity to play the game. Some take it more seriously than others, but everyone is basically out there to have a good time.

“It’s a good way to keep off all the beer and pizza,” said Dee Walker, member of the Gamecocks. “It’s fun, and I like the camaraderie.”

Intramurals are one of the best ways to become entangled within the college community, especially for sports fanatics.

“I encourage anyone to come play or officiate,” Baker said.

So sign up today, and get your game face on.