Intramurals and Community by Ashton Malone
Life on the Hill: Bison Blog
The Intramural Program at OBU is like the school candy shop. It has a little something for everyone, and its everyone’s favorite place to be. With over 35 sports to get involved with, there’s a place for everyone! Never played flag football but want to give it a try? Awesome! Go for it. Missing those days on the basketball court? Oh yeah, we have a place for you. Not a fan of sports but love card games or trivia? Welcome to OBU’s WIDELY diverse intramural program. Whether it’s playing on the field or supporting your friends on the sidelines, intramurals strives to connect all students with fun, friendly competition, and slight competitiveness…
Intramural sports quickly became one of my favorite things on Bison Hill. I remember leaving for college and being unsure how I was going to function without constantly being involved in a school sport (and how I was going to avoid the freshman 15…). That’s when I found intramurals. During my first weekend as an OBU student, the program had their kickoff sport, sand volleyball. Though I was still skeptical about how this all worked, I went with some newly found friends to watch random people, play this “non-competitive” game. Soon, I was a believer. While I wasn’t directly involved in the tournament, I loved cheering for people I barely knew, and meeting new people that had also assumed the role of “cheerleaders for the day.” For the first time, I felt like a true college student and I LOVED IT. I learned that intramurals aren’t just about playing sports or games, it’s about community and a little bit of pride. Not long after, I received an email informing us that flag football sign ups were right around the corner. I jumped at the opportunity to join a team with some new friends. Throughout that year I played one sport after the other. From flag football, to basketball, to softball, to volleyball and back, I found that, trying new things, and meeting new friends is what college is all about!
The intramural program is not only a great resource to meet new people and try new things, it’s also a great way to stay active, relieve stress, and take a break from the demands of school life. Games are played in the evening, providing you with the perfect excuse for a study break! An intramural season lasts 4-5 weeks including the beloved tournament. Intramural tournaments are sacred. The winners of each sport are dubbed the intramural champions, receive a free t-shirt (a college student’s most prized possession), and are bestowed bragging rights for the rest of the year; or the rest of your life … My parents still won’t let me forget that they were the Ping Pong Champions of 1985
Intramurals offer a unique experience to meet new people, keep up your competitive spirit, and take a step back from the hectic life that surrounds college students. Whether it’s on the court or field, around a card table, or in the stands, this program is designed to connect students in an active and relaxed way! So come join a team, support a friend, and get involved in OBU intramurals!
Life on the Hill: Bison Blog
