For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to play sports and to be active. I’m not sure if this was my own choice, with my dad taking me to ice skating lessons at the age of three and then signing for my very first tee-ball team—which he was the coach of. Either way, sports were a huge part of my life and were something I looked forward to every weekend. But since coming to Northern, I don’t have a lot of opportunities to participate in organized sports.

At first I was fine with it. After all, I had way more free time and I didn’t have to deal with conditioning, fitness testing or god-awful mile runs. But as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side and I have certainly changed my stance since then.

Three years of living a college lifestyle really does a number on your fitness. At one point I could run two miles no problem but now I’m lucky if I don’t get uncomfortably sweaty after riding my bike a block or two to campus.

The only thing that has brought solace to my desire for competition is something I’d urge any student to take advantage of: intramurals.

Intramurals are great because you don’t even have to be good at the sport to have fun and get some cardio. When I played dodgeball, I think I got a grand total of two people out for the season and got hit in the face at least 10 times. But still, I had a great time because it gave me a near legitimate excuse to leave school work and go run around and get some exercise while messing around with my friends.

Sitting around all day doing homework and reading various textbooks really wears down the soul and intramurals are the perfect study break to and the perfect way to end a night of hard work on campus.I had my first intramural soccer game of the season last Monday. For those who don’t know, soccer is a game that requires almost constant movement whether it be a light jog to adjust your position or a full on sprint towards the goal. After the first 20 minutes, I could tell I hadn’t played soccer in about a year. Holy cow was I tired.

Although I usually hate being out of breath and feeling my heartbeat in my ears, The kind of tired you get from essentially pick-up games is very satisfying and rewarding, especially if you win.

Usually on Mondays I have trouble sleeping, but that night when I got home from soccer I was out like a light and ten hours later, I woke up a little bit sore, but overall well-rested.

Even if sports isn’t your thing, I think it’s worthwhile to at least give intramurals a shot. It’s a great way to meet new people and get to know your hall community while getting in a bit of exercise.

Playing sports instills teamwork and sportsmanship which are two things that are essential to success in life, even if they’re just intramurals. Overall, it’s something worth taking advantage of and if you’re lucky, you might even work your way to the very top, among the elite, and square off for the coveted champion’s t-shirt. Win or lose, running around is better than sitting
on the couch.