School Sport

At the University of Tennessee, two housing units are being closed down. Where Golf Range and Sutherland student apartments once stood, brand-new sports fields costing an estimated 14.5 million are being erected. However, these new fields won’t be replacing the classic Neyland Stadium. The eight fields are dedicated to UT’s club and intramural sportsa popular alternative for students looking for the thrill of athletic competition without the stress of varsity-level publicity.Ohio State and the University of Michigan were the forward-thinking forerunners of the program back in 1913. The term comes from intra muros, Latin for “within walls.” Instead of try-outs, students can sign up for intramural programs as if they were any other type of school club. The flexibility of these programs (which usually don’t require mandatory practices or even participation in all events) is a big draw for students with large time demandssuch as biology major Jeremiah Rawson from the Dixie State College of Utah.There are other benefits to such sports. Just as in varsity sports, intramural athletes build lasting bonds which can extend off the field, whether into the classroom or other mutual hobbies. Along the same lines, recreational sports are a great stress-reliever and way to stay in shape, perhaps even beating those freshman (and later) fifteen. The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) funds facilities and programs around the country that work towards the goal of greater participation in the general student body. Students can read more about its mission on its website, or look into the programs at their own schools.