Teams Gear Up for Spring Intramural Playoffs

By Steven Lorenzo

With winter long gone, spring has arrived in full force to the Santa Clara campus. Instead of lying on the grass and tanning, some students choose to spend their time competing in spring quarter intramurals.

The sports currently being offered include 3-on-3 basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and triples volleyball. All of these sports are coed except for 3-on-3 basketball, so both men and women can compete against each other in friendly or competitive matches.

"I joined intramurals to be able to play the sports I enjoy in a more organized fashion with my friends," said junior Kyle Astill. His team, Bumsquad, is currently in the playoffs for soccer.

Intramurals not only arrange a convenient way for students to get involved and have some fun, but they also contribute to some friendly competition between students. The opportunity to play a variety of organized sports with other students also provides them with the incentive to stay fit and healthy.

In addition, many students play the game to win a championship and have their legacy immortalized in the form of a team picture placed in the hallway of the Malley Fitness and Recreation Center. It represents the teamwork, strength and heart that the team has displayed throughout the whole season.

Games become more intense as the regular season comes to an end, just like professional leagues such as the NBA or the NFL. All teams that participate qualify for the playoffs. However, only those teams that are serious about claiming the championship tend to move on. These weeks leading up to summer are when the real competition heats up.

Freshman Greg Cusack, who currently plays both intramural soccer and softball, commented on his experience playing intramural sports.

"I joined because I love all sorts of sports and playing intramurals is also a way to meet new people and have some friendly - but really not friendly - competition," said Cusack. "Playing sports is my favorite thing to do." 

Everyone has the chance to form a team and play a sport or two, whether they are a natural athlete or just someone looking to have a fun time with fellow friends. It is just a time where students get together to have a fun time under the sun or the lights.

Contact Steven Lorenzo at slorenzo@scu.edu.