When it comes to athletics at UCLA, attention is heavily directed toward premiere sports programs like NCAA- sanctioned football and basketball.
There is, however, much more to the world of sports at UCLA beyond those that headline on a regular basis.
In fact, there are bountiful opportunities for the entire student body, if you know where to look.
As yet another school year approaches, it is a perfect time to begin considering what activities and clubs are right for you. For anyone interested in playing a sport, UCLA Recreation provides the necessary resources to play at a competitive level while simultaneously opening doors to lasting camaraderies.
The UCLA Intramural Sports and Club Sports programs administered by UCLA Recreation give students the chance to choose among 30 leagues and over 30 clubs to participate in.
Most importantly, registering for an IM division or joining a club is as easy as going to the UCLA Recreation Web site and following a few simple steps. Every year, over 8,000 participate in intramural sports and nearly 1,500 take part in club sports.
“Our goal is to try to offer unique programming for students and recreation members to have the ability to compete with the sports that they love, have played before, or have even never played before,” competitive sports coordinator Adam Pruett said.
Just as in any other sports organization, IM sports and club sports involve regular team practices, regional and national tournaments, individual and team activities, and even international travel for select clubs. Through such team-building events, players quickly develop tight bonds and genuine team pride.
“Our programs provide an avenue for students to play with fellow classmates and other university students and be invested in a team,” Pruett said. “They can still stay active and competitive in the sports that they love, and at the same time can try new sports.”
UCLA Recreation offers a wide array of sports suitable for just about any type of athlete.
From archery, ultimate and kendo in club sports, to flag football, innertube water polo, and indoor soccer in IM play, essentially anybody can join a team and feel right at home.
In fact, many students have joined teams without having ever played the sport and have emerged having found a new passion.
“We are looking forward to the amount of participation we can bring into the program this year,” said Pruett. “The more the merrier.”