Ball State University students who want to avoid cabin fever and stay active during winter months need to look no further than their own campus.
Recreation Services offers students 18 Spring Semester intramural sports, including 11 indoor sports that can be played regardless of wintry weather conditions.
Jason Adamowicz, associate director of Recreation Services, said intramural sports enhance students' physical, mental and social well-being.
"If the sport doesn't meet a social goal or give a physical outlet, we won't do it," he said. "We're trying to get people out and active and interacting."
Instructor of Physical Education Kendra Gotsch said being involved in intramural sports "decreases the chance of a sedentary lifestyle, which can decrease the overall risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, which is one of the biggest health threats in the country."
The most popular spring intramural sports, Adamowicz said, based on the entries received thus far are basketball, with 75 entrants, wallyball (an indoor version of volleyball), with 10 entrants, and indoor soccer, with 14 entrants. Registration is still open.
Nate Bell, graduate assistant for intramural sports, said Recreation Services' sports appeal to casual athletes because it gives students a structured medium to compete.
"A lot of students come from an athletic background and still have that competitive edge," Bell said. "Intramural sports gives them that outlet."
Intramural sports also have an academic benefit, Adamowicz said.
"If you're just sitting in your dorm room not being involved, you're a lot more likely to drop out before it's all said and done," he said. "Intramurals help you become connected to the university."
Intramural athletes and teams are charged fees in order to pay for the intramural program and provide incentive to stay committed to their sport, Adamowicz said.
Recreation Services employs 50 to 60 referees each semester to officiate games, to keep the competition orderly and to resolve conflicts, Adamowicz said.
Being involved with athletics gives students a place to meet new people and to be involved in their community, Gotsch said.
Landon Buesching, intramural softball player and official said being involved with Recreation Services has fulfilled more than his desire to compete. He has formed many friendships on the field that have carried over to other aspects of his life, he said.
"I would say the majority of friends I have at Ball State are just people I met on the intramural fields either supervising or playing," Buesching said.
Students interested in competing in intramural sports can register at Irving Gym 201. A potential athlete cannot register for a team sport without enough members to play the first game of the season, Adamowicz said, but he can put his name on a free agent list along with other athletes looking to form a team.
The free agent list gives students who would otherwise not be able to form a team the opportunity to compete, he said.
"I couldn't go out and play Division I sports, but it's some other venue to come out and play," Buesching said. "Anyone can get a pick-up game and play softball with friends, but this is something where it's a competitive environment."
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