College is the best four years of your life. That’s what everyone always says, but leaving your friends, family and old life behind and entering a whole new world can be very intimidating. This is where intramurals (IMs) and club sports come into play. Participating in an IM or club sport can be a great way to transition into college life and to meet new people.
“There is a key experiential learning aspect to IMs and club sports, such as dealing with conflict management, managing your team and interacting with peers and faculty members. There’s also the wellness side; you can blow off steam and relax outside of academia. Finally, there’s the networking aspect, because you can meet lots of new people,” said assistant athletic director for rec sports Caroline Keener.
Intramurals are an easy way to be involved with sports on campus. According to Keener, about 58% of the student body participates in recreational sports; this includes IMs, club sports and O-Rec activities.
“I started getting involved with intramural sports my freshman year. I’ve played sports my entire life and wanted to continue playing; this was the only way I knew how,” said junior Xavier Hall.
Intramural sports meet during their respective season and host games once a week. Trinity offers a multitude of intramural sports, such as volleyball, soccer, basketball and flag football.
In addition to intramurals, Trinity also offers many club sports. Club sports offer an intermediary alternative to intramurals and varsity sports. They are more competitive and time-consuming than intramurals, but less so than varsity. Although it varies for each sport, practices are typically two hours a day, multiple days per week. No prior experience is necessary in order to participate and all skill levels are welcome.
Hall, who participates in more than four different IM teams, also plays for Trinity’s club Ultimate Frisbee team.
“I like playing for the club team more because it’s more consistent. I also like the Club competitive level more. It gives you something to play for,” Hall said.
sports teams play other teams from universities all over Texas, and even some outside of Texas.
Club sports also require dues to pay for equipment, traveling and various other fees.
“I didn’t start playing a club sport until sophomore year because I didn’t know about them freshman year. I’m really glad I joined because I’ve met a lot of people that I’m really good friends with now, whom I would not have met otherwise. I would definitely advocate participating in a club sport just for that reason,” Hall said.
Sophomore Sarah Simis, who plays lacrosse, also advocates playing a club sport: “I appreciate the competitive level and discipline that club sports offer. As a freshman, playing a club sport was a great way for me to make new friends.”
The Recreational Sports Department is hosting a tutorial during NSO for both outdoor rec sports and intramurals, this Saturday, August 24 in the Waxahachie Room. You can also find Trinity IMs on Facebook and Twitter. A detailed list of all intramural and club sports offered by Trinity can be found online.
