Fall 2008 produced a large turnout for intramural sports at UCLA.
Week after week, students got together for practices and intense matches with other teams ““ all vying to claim the bragging rights that come with the title of intramural sports champion. From pounding the grass playing flag football to hustling back and forth in indoor soccer matches, students developed invaluable team camaraderie.
For Max Berger, a first-year biochemistry student, intramural flag football proved to be one of the highlights of his first quarter at UCLA.
“I had a lot of fun playing flag football,” he said. “It gave me an opportunity to get away from studying and school. I was able to just go outside and be active.
“It’s a lot of fun because it’s so relaxed … but at the same time, you can still be competitive.”
As many students have already discovered, participating in intramural sports is a simple way to both work out and network with other students. Each quarter, UCLA Recreation provides a variety of individual and team activities. IM sports currently has a schedule of meets, tournaments, leagues and special events planned for the winter season.
Leagues for this quarter will include the widely popular sports of basketball, soccer and Ultimate Frisbee. Also new to the mix this quarter is the introduction of the team sport called Leet. As explained on the UCLA Recreation Web site, individuals may register as a team or as a free agent for team league events.
Students often choose to participate in intramural tournaments. This quarter, UCLA Recreation is offering tournaments at low costs for a number of unique sports including racquetball, wiffleball, badminton, table tennis and squash. Students say IM sports are accessible and fun because they are open to anyone interested in playing a sport ““ no previous experience or skills are necessary.
“You don’t have to be the best athlete in the world to play,” Berger said. “You don’t have to be the biggest person or the strongest person, but you can still have fun.”
Besides intramural leagues and tournaments, which require a registration fee, it is possible to participate in IM activities for free. UCLA Recreation offers complimentary special events that students can register to join. For this winter quarter, these events include Board Game Marathon and Basketball Skills Competition.
Edwin Yau, a fourth-year sociology student, said he is excited to play intramural basketball this coming quarter.
“Intramural sports has allowed me to bond together with people,” Yau said. “My roommates and I always get together and form a team. It always gives us at least one exciting thing to talk about. Playing in intramural leagues has allowed me to build long-lasting friendships while playing the sports I love.”