The lights shine upon the turf as the clock is ticking down and the attacking squad takes the ball toward the net. A leg cocks back and fires; the ball bounces off the nylon at the back of the net. One sideline erupts in jubilation while the other cringes in defeat. After a moment both teams shake hands and congratulate one another on the game that has just ended.
Such is the scene of a soccer game at the CU Sports Complex. The intramural soccer program’s 79 teams range from co-rec teams such as the Paigey Pies to Athletico Pathetico of the men’s elite league.
“My favorite part of intramural soccer is to go out with friends and have fun,” Business senior Ryan Wampler said. “Also, it’s cool to play in a sport I don’t usually play.”
The intramural Web site stresses the importance of sportsmanship as a way to build character through Creighton’s Jesuit values.
“I really like being able to take a break from school and have fun with friends,” Nursing junior Stacey Welter said.
Other intramural soccer participants echoed Welter’s opinions on the activity’s environment.
“I think it definitely does because the activity is a release, and it lets me focus on something fun and competitive other than classes for a little while,” Arts & Sciences freshman Tyler Burroughs said.
Many students agreed that intramural soccer helps to relieve stress from classes and extra-curricular events that put pressure on their daily lives. Intramural organizers echoed the students’ sentiment.
“It provides an opportunity to relax and get away from the stress of school and homework,” assistant director of Campus Recreation Jason Gant said.
Even as the sport relieves stress from classes, it affords its participants a chance to better themselves.
“It gives me a chance to exercise and make some lasting college memories with friends,” Wampler said.
Other students discussed differents reasons for why they were drawn to play intramural soccer this spring.
“The thrill of competition was a big draw for me,” Burroughs said. “I play goalie and it’s a big adrenaline rush when someone’s running at you about to shoot the ball.”
Gant expressed many similar opinions on the experience of playing intramural soccer to those of the students participating.
“It provides an opportunity to network, meet new people and hang out with friends; we have tons of Greek, res-hall and professional school teams,” he said.
“It provides an opportunity to exercise and stay in shape. It provides an opportunity to scratch the competitive itch (many of our students played sports in high school).”
He also stressed there is a deeper meaning to the program.
“When one program can provide all of these things at the same time, it is no surprise that the students flock to it,” he said. “Intramurals is not just the most popular campus activity at Creighton; the same can be said for universities all across the nation.”
The playoffs, divided up by skill level from competitive to elite, begin next week as teams are sorted based upon their performance during the four-game regular season with hopes of surviving three games in order to play under the lights of Morrison Stadium.