Midway through the semester can be a stressful time for college students, as they are constantly bombarded with papers, exams and a lack of sleep. Many students find that the best way to relieve their stress during college is physical activity, and APU Communiversity intramural program provides students such opportunities.
The program offers multiple sports clubs for college students seeking to relieve stress, stay active and have fun while being competitive.
Sophomore biology major Britni Murfett plays for the “JB All-Stars,” an intramural women’s flag-football club. The game has helped her find stability as a college student.
“I love intramurals,” said Murfett. “Since I made a commitment [to my teammates], it forces me to get my mind off things. Even if I am studying or have a lot to do, it’s really helped me create a balance between schoolwork and physical activity.”
Intramurals include a variety of different recreational sporting leagues for all students throughout the year, such as flag football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, spike ball, Frisbee, kickball, dodgeball, cricket, yoga and Zumba.
“When you engage your body, you engage your mind,” said Jeremie Riggleman, assistant director for campus recreation in the Office of Communiversity. “Having recreational opportunities allows us to be better students, and I think that can affect students’ performance in the classroom, even though the events take place outside of the classroom.”
At the moment, the only in-season sports are flag football and volleyball. Flag football’s regular season is coming to an end, with playoffs around the corner . On the other hand, the co-ed volleyball season just began. Both sports are split into two leagues: flag football has the men’s league and women’s league, and volleyball has the A League and B League, where the main difference is the level of competition.
Senior international business major Tyler Hazen is the team captain of “It’s College,” a men’s flag-football team that is looking to go undefeated in the regular season before entering playoffs. Hazen has played in intramurals all four years while at APU.
“Just having the camaraderie of a team is what made me want to come back and play every year,” Hazen said. “Being able to share that experience with my friends, especially friends that I don’t usually get to see on campus, has been really fun.”
Junior nursing major Nick Triviso plays in three intramural sports: flag football, Frisbee and volleyball. Although juggling three intramural sports while being a full-time college student can be difficult, Triviso sees it as an incentive.
“It’s challenging but also rewarding, because I use it as a motivation to help me get my schoolwork done faster,” Triviso said.
Other students, such as freshman psychology major Amber Nelson, have joined intramurals simply because they love the sport and the competition that comes with it. Nelson plays for the A League volleyball team “Hey You Over There.”
“I’ve played volleyball ever since I was a child, and I played on the varsity team throughout high school,” Nelson said. “I wanted to continue playing the sport that I love, and intramurals has made that possible.”
The opportunities that intramurals provide are numerous. Students looking for work, yet who also want to be involved in intramurals, can accomplish both by applying to be a game referee or official.
“We also provide jobs for students,” said Riggleman. “For example, people who have played a lot of volleyball or football growing up know the sport well; they’ve refereed it before, and they can work for us. It’s a way to provide more jobs on campus for students, and it’s in an expertise area that they’re familiar with.”
On Nov. 18, the men’s and women’s flag-football championships will be held on Dillon Recreational Field. Volleyball’s regular season will end on Nov. 18, and the championships will be held on Dec. 2.
Registration is currently open for a special one-day, four-versus-four, co-ed soccer tournament to be held on Nov. 14. The event is open to all APU students interested in competing.