Intramural sports are back this fall with some new sports being offered, according to Intramurals Coordinator Marcel Atisso. Atisso said one of the featured sports students can join is flag football.
Atisso said he is in charge of marketing along with scheduling and communication. Associate Vice President for Athletics & Campus Wellness Bob Brubeck said he gives a lot of credit to Atisso and how he has been able to grow the program.
“It [intramurals] has really been kind of his baby and he’s done a really good job with it,” Brubeck said. “I kind of gave him some parameters and he’s been running with it.”
Brubeck said a large part of what they try to do with intramurals is cater to the students. He said they have sent out surveys and questionnaires to try and tailor the program to what is most convenient for the general student population.
“We based our programming off of what the students said that they wanted,” Brubeck said. “So I originally thought ‘Go after a night class?’ and the survey came back that the students would rather have it from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., so that’s what we did. That’s the population we’re trying to serve so that’s what we’ve done, tried to try to hear what the students want and then give those offerings.”
The deadline for signups was midnight on Sept. 6. Once the sign-ups closed, Atisso said he sent out the assigned schedules and teams for the new semester. Even though the signup is over, Atisso said people can reach out and they will work something out in order for those interested to still get involved.
Atisso said that they are currently offering basketball, volleyball, soccer and flag football. All of these sports are co-ed and open to the entire student population as well as faculty. Intramurals are held on campus, Atisso said, and are scheduled for the evenings. Brubeck said although it is rare to have faculty participate, he is not opposed to it.
Compared to last year, this program made minor changes, Brubeck said, the most significant being the growth of flag football. Atisso said that flag football being added and gaining popularity had a lot to do with student advocacy.
“Another student who works with us went out on his own then we kind of put it under the umbrella so that they would be supported as well,” Atisso said. “It’s been great, started last year and it’s picked up a lot which is good.”
As intramurals continue to grow, Atisso said they aim to continue to develop and widen its audience across campus. Brubeck said that flag football is a great example of how students can advocate for themselves and see a result.
“There’s always room for growth, it kind of depends on right now just spacing and stuff, then general interest,” Atisso said. “It’s hard with some of the spaces not being available because of athletic teams, but we are looking to expand.” Any student interested in a sport not currently offered in the program, can talk to the RSO director and see about implementing it in, Atisso said. Those interested in an existing program can reach out to Atisso at atissom@uindy.edu.
