Intramural Sports

End of fall Intramurals gives time to reflect

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

By Dani Wolmendorf

This weekend proved to be a challenge to both my co-rec and women’s soccer teams. Both of my teams had their strengths and weaknesses and the other teams exploited those weak points.

Even though we lost both games I couldn’t help but to smile. One of my guys totally beefed it running, like flat out face-planted straight into the ground.

I played goalie in my women’s game with only one contact, which made my reaction time very slow; I missed a few easy shots.

At the end of the season it’s nice to reflect on everything.

At my first co-rec game I had at least sixteen people for a 6-on-6 soccer game, for playoffs we only had seven players. The decrease could have been for lack of communication and forgetting we had a game, but my team never stopped having fun, and we will be back for more in the Winter.

I’ve heard people say the game really changes in playoffs. I believed it for high school, college and professional sports, but Intramurals I would have never thought.

I was wrong; both teams we faced played with enthusiasm and spunk. It’s nice to see teams get this excited over a T-shirt and bragging rights. I wish both teams that beat us the best of luck it was fun, and we will have a rematch (hopefully) next semester.

It has been an awesome season of learning, playing and meeting new people.

If you're looking for even more soccer action, there is open turf play Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon- bring your cleats and join a team. It’s a great way to stay up with your skills, learn even more and to have a break from the harsh realities of school. For the procrastinators out there, pick up soccer games are a great excuse not do your homework.

Intramural basketball play started this week with games played throughout the weeknights.

I wish the teams, new and returning officials and supervisors luck- have fun now. It’s over way to soon. Semifinals and Finals are being played this weekend for soccer; champion names will be coming soon.

Make sure to check out the upcoming winter sports available. Grab a few friends and make a team or register as a free agent and just get out there and play.

I’ll see you out there.

Posted 6:20 PM 0 Comments

Intramurals wrap up fall season

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

By Danni Womeldorf

With only two weeks till Thanksgiving, playoffs are quickly played and champions crowned.

Intramural soccer and football are entering quarterfinals and semi-finals in their respected brackets.

While Volleyball announces its champions in Mens A: 10/10, Womens A: Block Party and Co-Rec A: The Smelly Oldhams and Co-Rec C: Off Constantly.

Champions in Soccer and Football as well as Co-Rec B Volleyball will be announced as they are won.

Intramural basketball’s deadline was Nov. 6, with training sessions for officials begins Nov. 11 and will go through the Nov. 13.

Any interested parties who attended the original application process must come to the arena on the designated try-out times with a whistle and tennis shoes. Running will be involved.

Basketball will begin playing Nov. 15 and continue until a champion is crowned and will be done by finals week.

It is exciting to see the level of competition pick up during playoffs. Every team is bringing their “A” game and enjoying every minute of it.

From an official's stand point, we must be on top of every call and in control every minute or risk tempers and highly aggressive plays.

It will be interesting to see which underdog takes the crown or which powerhouse will dominate. To the players- have fun and play hard. To the officials- don’t be afraid to voice a call or blow your whistle, it is your game.

Intramurals is all about the smiles no matter what the outcome might be!

Posted 6:14 PM 0 Comments

Scared for a good cause

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

By Danni Womeldorf

This past Thursday I was able to join my fellow coworkers on a trek to The Forest of Fear.

Now I didn’t know what to expect, I thought you throw on some scary mask and you just jump out at people, but it was a little more complicated than that.

Each of us was given a station. At this station we were characters, and we had different roles. I was the pig from Saw. Some of the other intramural officials and supervisors were dead brides, clowns, a freezer monster or some other creeper.

I was very nervous when I was getting ready. I scare and freak out very easily and somewhere down the line I knew I was going to have to stand in dark woods full of scary people and try to scare the customers, instead of myself.

In the beginning it was kind of hard to really know what to do, so my friend Andrea (she was jigsaw) and I tried a couple of different spots until we seemed to have mastered it. After charging after people I would sneak around to the back of the maze and pop my pig face in when they were leaving, while Andrea scared them inside the maze.

Later on in the night we got a group of high schoolers. They were by far my favorite group to scare. They would scream, cry and run away. A couple actually trampled each other trying to get away.

The little 10- to 12-year-old boys were the worst. They had to be all big bad and tough- okay, boys, next time scream or something. Staring us in the face telling us we're not scary kind of blows our night.

It really makes you feel good, (and laugh) if you can make a grown man scream like a baby. It means you’re doing your job right.

Intramurals spent, in total, three nights at Forest of Fear, scaring and directing traffic. The sport with the most officials was soccer, and we averaged about 15 members there each night. This gave us a great start on fundraising for this semester.

Thank you to all members and friends who came out and supported GVSU’s intramurals.

Posted 6:01 PM 0 Comments

Intramurals have shot at extramural tournaments, IM staff to work Forest of Fear

Friday, October 30, 2009

By Danni Womeldorf

Intramurals are not just about the sports or athletes. Intramurals provide an outlet and athletic competitions to people who couldn’t or wouldn’t try out for a school team. It provides sports in a fun and competitive atmosphere. It also provides jobs to students in a very laid-back yet professional ambiance.
What most people don’t see is the opportunities to play or officiate at state tournaments or at other colleges. Extramurals allow teams and officials to play or work with other colleges around the state. Most of the tournaments available are though basketball, flag football and soccer. These sports could have the chance for a state tournament. In seasons past Grand Valley State University's intramural staff have had officials and teams play in state extramural tournaments. With the upcoming deadlines for basketball teams (Nov. 6) it will be exciting to see what teams have to offer, and if any have what it takes to play extramurals. Playoffs for soccer will begin this weekend, while champions are being crowned in flag football and volleyball in the weeks to come.
Games this season will come to a close in the last part of November, which could very well mean snow. Games will still be played, even in a blizzard. Although I am not looking forward to that very cold white day I have to play or officiate, it will add a little more excitement to a normal game of soccer. I can’t wait to see what teams will advance to the finals, and what crazy stunts they will pull.
On another note, The Forest of Fear has agreed to allow the intramural staff of officials and supervisors work the park. Officials and supervisors will travel to The Forest of Fear and scare the people daring enough to walk through. Officials are able to bond with officials from other sports along with scaring the bonkers out of strangers. This will allow intramurals to raise money for equipment and to help pay for the end of the year party. I am looking forward to see what this is all about, and hopefully not scaring myself in the process.
On the outside intramurals seem to just be about teams getting together and playing on the weekend, it’s also a job, a chance to meet new people, and to explore the other side of a haunted maze. I can’t wait to see what else is hidden under the jerseys.

Posted 6:00 AM 0 Comments

Intramurals head to playoffs

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

By John Rosick
Assistant Director of Intramurals

Semester is now in full swing with midterms in control of your plans, Intramurals are coming to a close within the next couple of weeks.

Congratulations to Off Constantly, the Mens “B” Softball Champion; Team Franchise, the Co-Rec “B” Softball Champion; Red Hot Ninga Knights, the Co-Rec “C” Softball Champion; along with Last Minute, the men's Roller Hockey Champion.

A mandatory captain’s meeting will take place for soccer at 9 p.m. on Oct. 27 in FH 145, flag football at 9 p.m. Oct. 20 in FH 145 and volleyball at 9 p.m. on Oct. 28 in FH 145. A representative will need to be present for teams to get a playoff spot. Each team must have at least one tie to advance to playoffs.

Playoffs will be a single elimination tournament with the champion winning bragging rights, an Intramural champion T-shirt and their picture on the Intramural Web site.

With only a game or two left before playoffs, teams should make sure they are in prime performance and that everyone on their team has signed the master roster. Tempers flare when games are on the line but the team’s sportsmanship rating must stay at a 3.5 or higher to continue playing.

For soccer all the rules will stay the same, except an overtime period will be added if at the end of regulation, the game is tied.

Two five-minute periods will be played and the score at the end of the last period will determine the winner. If the score is still tied it will go into a shoot-out with the final six players on the field at the end of the last overtime period.

In regards to football, if a game is ended in a tie each team will have the ball placed on the 10-yard-line and given four downs to score. If they score the other team will have one chance to score with the ball being placed on the 10-yard-line. If the defense intercepts the ball and returns it for a touchdown they will win, if they do not score the ball will be placed on the 10-yard and they will be given four downs.

Volleyball plays best of three games, if the third game is played it will be the first to 15. Teams must win by two with a cap at 17.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS & OFFICALS IN PLAYOFFS!!

Posted 6:52 PM 0 Comments

Caution, experience can help athletes avoid injury

Friday, October 2, 2009

By John Rosick
Assistant Director of Intramurals

After playing this past weekend, I have learned how very out of shape I really am. Although I have not gained any weight, I know I have lost most of my muscle.

Forty-five seconds into the game, I’m resting my hands on my knees gasping for air. As I look around I notice I am not the only one who should be running in my spare time. As the game wares on, our subs are even looking a little tired. With a lot of effort and hard work we end up tied at the final whistle. Then it’s onto my second game, co-rec this time.

The boys are looking very anxious to get the game started, while the girls just wanted to rest a little longer. Midway into the game, injuries start popping up. One is a swift kick in the ankle; another is just a nice cleat to the back of the calf. Both of which cause my players to sit out the rest of the game.

Injuries are pretty common in all sports. While Intramurals are no different, sometimes the severity or even the quantity can be greater because of the lack of athletic ability or lack of knowledge of the sport.

I have found the better shape I am in, the less likely I am to get cramps, twisted ankles or sore muscles after a game. Also, if you have knowledge of the movements involved with the sport, one can learn how to prevent an injury from occurring by strength training or not getting involved in a physical situation.

All of the Intramural supervisors are trained first responders. They usually can determine the severity of the injury, provide ice and bandages as well as call necessary back-up if needed. Most would be willing to give you a tip on how to prevent an injury from reoccurring because, like most of the players out there, they have played a sport or two and have had their fair share of injuries.

I would like to saysevere injuries don’t occur that often, but I’m not the right person to ask. Just last winter, my only two guys both received ankle injuries just minutes apart and only minutes into the game. We ended the game playing with three girls and had one of the boys play goalie while the other iced.

Afterward, we took a trip to the emergency room to get them evaluated. Both had deep tissue sprains and were out for a couple weeks. I do have to point out neither was because of over aggression, just a simple trip over the ball or not properly locking your ankle. Both could have potentially been prevented if they had more experience on the soccer field.

One thing I have learned is to have a deep team because once your team is out on injury it makes playing a little difficult.

Injuries cannot be totally avoidable, but some can be prevented. Drink lots of water prior, during and after playing, warm-up and stretch prior to kick-off, do a nice cool-down and stretch and don’t overwork yourself. Lastly, if it hurts don’t force it. Injuries will heal better if they have a chance to rest. Know your limits, use ice for swelling and always walk it off.

rosickjo@gvsu.edu

Posted 10:25 AM 0 Comments

Escaping to Intramurals

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

By Danni Wolmendorf

It’s the finally the weekend and after a long crazy week I had, I needed just a break, a time to relax.

I grabbed my ID and decided to go cheer on the Varsity Girls soccer team. After that I knew I had to get some homework done before my weekend really started.

I logged onto my computer and thought, "Hey I’ll update my Facebook status before I start." Which led to looking through my friends new photos. After a wasted thirty minutes, a couple of my friends and I went to Big Boys for dinner.

Before we headed home for the night, we walked around campus and enjoyed the beautiful evening. By 11 p.m. we were strolling into the apartment and settled into our living room.

Once again I pulled out my computer to start on some online homework when I remembered I had missed the One Tree Hill season premiere. It took my computer nearly 20 minutes to load the entire episode. It was full of drama, love and "oh my gosh" moments.

But I wasn’t any where near having anything productive accomplished. Around 2 a.m. I decided to go to bed because I had to take a friend to Grandville in the morning. Needless to say my entire weekend included thinking, "I should be studying and writing this four-page scholarly critique for my history class."

Instead I spent five hours in Grand Rapids, enjoying the scenery and giant tire swing. I cleaned my apartment, which might I add needed it. I invited nine people over to play Apples to Apples for three hours.

Sunday I went to church and then lunch with some friends. By 1 p.m. my pile of material I had pushed to Sunday had overwhelmed me. I really had felt like I was done for. It was like a game of Jenga with my "to do" pile, pull one book off have the rest come crashing down. I had to be to work at 1:30 p.m. and was stressed beyond belief.

As I arrived to work very upset at myself for procrastinating this badly, I threw on my uniform and set out on the field, to officiate my first game of the season.

As soon as the game started, my head cleared and I had a sense of relief wash over me. I can’t really explain it, but I felt almost free of the weights of school.

By the end of my shift I felt rejuvenated and optimistic. I thought, "Maybe I could finish all this tonight. Even if I was up late, I could sleep on Tuesday, it would just be a rough Monday."

For most jobs, going to work with a pile as big as Mount Rushmore would have been rough to say the least. I can’t say that I have ever had a job that relieved me of my stress, not added to it.

Intramurals are the place to be when it all seems too much. Take a study break, grab your gear and just let the games take over for you. Campus Recreations is where it’s at!

If sports are not your thing, give yoga or spin class a try. Times are offered almost every day, and it is a nice way to relax or relieve your frustrations. All times and information can be found at the Campus Rec Web site: www.gvsu.edu/rec

I can’t say I will begin my paper sooner next time, but I can say I have a way to forget about the deadlines.

Posted 7:07 PM 0 Comments