Welcome to Washington University, possibly the only school in the nation whose intramural sports are more popular than its varsity sports.
Alright, maybe I was stretching it a little with that last comment, but think about it this way: I’m guessing that 90 percent of the people who read this paper are not going to be playing on a varsity sports team. I’m also guessing that 75 percent of you have some physical ability, or at least an inkling to play something. I’m also going to go out on a limb here and say that 0 percent (that’s none) of you will have heard about our varsity teams’ feats before you set foot in St. Louis. (I did just take probability and statistics last year? trust my estimates.)
Therefore, IM sports are a pretty big deal, and there will be many reasons why you guys will want to get involved throughout this year.
First of all, there’s no better way to create a relationship with your freshman floor. Sure, you can toss around all the ice-breakers you want while you eat your complementary Ted Drewes frozen custard (which, by the way, is nowhere near as good as the stuff you get at the actual restaurant?especially since it is a frozen rock when they give it to you). But, imagine yourself on the football field or the basketball court, coming together as a team and winning that one elusive prize.
Which brings me to my second reason?ahh yes, the prize. You’re already wondering what it is, and I know when I reveal its identity you’ll all be let down. Have I built it up enough yet? Ok, it’s a t-shirt.
I’ll stop now, so you can throw this paper away?.still reading?
Yes, a t-shirt, and you will soon realize just how coveted these t-shirts are. People have slaved all four of their years here ? disregarding classes, competing in every possible sport from tennis to team trivia ? to try and get their hands on one of these babies.
Every t-shirt is the same, no matter what sport you conquer. Thus, whether you just won the grueling flag football league or the finesse badminton tournament, the shirt will be the same. Nobody will know what sport you won, and bingo, you’re a winner for life.
If these reasons are not compelling enough, let the sports speak for themselves. For team competition, there will be sports such as flag football, basketball, softball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, sports trivia, and bowling. Individual sports include tennis, golf, swimming, badminton, track and field, and billiards. Don’t worry folks ? if sports such as arm wrestling and table tennis suit your fancy, we’ve got them as well.
In addition to these leagues, there are several individual, one-day-only competitions, including a basketball 3-point shootout, a free throw shooting contest, a field goal kicking contest, and a home run derby.
Maybe you’re starting to realize why IMs are so popular? its all about options, people.
Also, you will find that most sports have leagues for men only, women only, or co-ed teams. For those who like to “play” with the opposite sex (excuse the pun, you dirty, dirty kids), be prepared for special rules (for example, in co-ed basketball, no guys are allowed in the paint).
Additionally, within these leagues there will be many different divisions, breaking up teams by skill-level (the A league, B league, and open league). A seasoned IM veteran, however, knows that sometimes the lines between these distinctions can become blurry.
Extremely good teams will be playing in both the best divisions (A) and the worst divisions (B)?the latter will be those players who really (really) want that t-shirt. If you feel the need to compete against your fellow professors and TAs, join the open league (remember where your grades come from).
But there are also many unexpected detours that you may encounter on the road to IM glory. Don’t be discouraged when your games are canceled due to weather and then not made up. Also, don’t be mad when you have to forego your entry deposit because a few members of the team are too hungover on a Saturday morning to play. This is probably the biggest problem you will face, so just make sure everyone is responsible the night before the big game.
Hopefully, this article has you chomping at the bit, ready to break down the door of the IM office and sign up when school starts on August 28th. Just go to the top floor of the Athletic Complex, but be patient, and start training. As much fun as you’re going to have in the classroom (haha), you’ll double it on the field.