Students prepare for intramural sports for competition, fun, atmosphere

Slam dunks, hat tricks and some good, old-fashioned, raw recreation will be bountiful as students across campus begin the annual intramural soccer and basketball seasons this week.

Each sport has two separate divisions, recreational and competitive, so students of all abilities and interests are able to participate. The league is especially interesting with regards to soccer, since Marietta's varsity team is out of season, giving team members the chance to participate with a little less on the line. However, only 3 varsity players are allowed on the field at one time, with 5 being the maximum number on the roster.

Brandon Siringer, a junior on the men's varsity squad, is required by the varsity soccer coaches to play in the competitive league. He enjoys the looser atmosphere of intramurals compared with the fall soccer season.

"During the season, it's more conditioning and strategy, not as must just playing," he said. "But in intramurals you get to put together a team with your friends and it's kind of laid back but kind of serious at the same time. We still compete, but it's also for fun."

In keeping with the student compilation of teams, both divisions of soccer require each team to have female players on the court at all times: 2 for the competitive league and 1 for recreational. Additionally, the recreational league must have 8 people on the field, while the competitive league is restricted to one fewer.

Regarding basketball, Marietta College follows rules based on those of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), which offer differences from the traditional college rules in terms of fouls, clock stoppage and timeouts.

Jared Cardiel, a sophomore, is playing in the recreational league, but thinks that the rules are a little over the top.

"It's supposed to be a fun time with your buddies, not necessarily very serious," he said. "I'm playing to have fun, not to be the next Flo or anything like that."

However, Cardiel is still looking forward to the beginning of the games.

"I hope every other team reads this article and knows that my team is ready to play. Having guys on your team who just like to mess around and having no actual skilled players will make it hilarious," Cardiel said.

It appears that regardless of sport, division or skill, the winter intramurals are poised to feature some good competition, team spirit and fun on the main courts of the DBRC.