Shouts echo throughout the gym, screeches from shoes pierce the air, basketballs bounce against the bright wood and teachers line the sidelines as the game’s officials do their best to be fair. This is the picture of a typical night of intramural basketball. Intramural sports are a beneficial way for students to stay involved in activities around the school and have fun without the added pressure of being a Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA)-sanctioned sport, and it’s time more people join and see the true benefits intramural sports have to offer.
“Intramural sports are fun,” intramural basketball director Chad Schmeckpeper said. “The game itself seems fun, it’s an opportunity for students to get out and do something rather than sit behind a screen.”
Intramural sports serve as a way to escape the stressful ways of high school sports or the stress of classrooms. Intramural basketball also offers the ability to help student-athletes stay conditioned and healthy for upcoming seasons. It’s a great way for students to release negative emotions and stress from schoolwork.
According to tests by the Student Rec Wellness Center, “Participation in intramural sports and other physical activities positively affects the brain’s biochemistry, improving study habits and grades.”
Last year, the intramural basketball program had less than ten teams, which wasn’t enough to fill an entire playoff bracket without giving byes, which is an automatic bid into the second round. This year, the number of teams increased from six to 11, which led to a larger playoff bracket and an expanded roster size, but the game of intramural still hasn’t reached its full potential. The league is still looking for more teams to join, potentially leading to separate divisions or conferences such as those in pro-sports leagues.
“I think people join because of competition,” Schmeckpeper said. “They want to feel the joy of beating people in something.”
During the end of this year’s season on Feb. 4, students geared up for the intramural basketball tournament. Similar to last year, Team Cox looked to take home the trophy, and after winning three games in a row, Team Cox would go back-to-back. This is the beauty of intramural sports. Memories are created within the student body, and for Cox, the memory of winning the league’s trophy over 11 other teams will remain instilled.
“It felt great to win,” Cox said. “It meant a lot to win because a lot of teams were talking a lot of trash. It was good to go out there and get a statement win.”
Despite intramural basketball being the only intramural sanctioned sport this year, students and staff want other sports to be offered to students. With intramural basketball being this popular, it is time to start offering different sports to students.
“I think intramural volleyball or dodgeball would be interesting,” junior Jensen Albers said. “They’re both sports people enjoy, so why not make it a thing.”
Intramural sports are a great way for students to escape the worries and anxiety of classrooms and high school sports. From playing on a court where no one will judge you for making a mistake to making core memories with your friends and classmates, intramural sports are needed in every community, and students should join to help the game grow to its full potential.
