The rush of the game. The opportunity to play with friends. Let out some steam. The famed intramural champion T-shirt. These are just a few of the incentives that entice students to become involved with intramurals.
The intramural program at BYU has been going strong since the 1950s. More than 12,000 students, faculty, staff and YSA students participate each year in the 30 activities offered.
The program is free to fulltime students, faculty and staff. For a small fee, part-time students and Provo YSA students not attending BYU may participate.
The program provides a number of sports and skill levels to make it fun for all participants. The program provides a number of popular sports such as basketball, volleyball, flag football, soccer and ultimate Frisbee. Among others, they also offer fun activities such as inner tube waterpolo, wallyball, dodgeball and kickball. Most of the sports offered have seasons for co-ed teams and seasons for men’s and women’s teams.
According to the intramural website, the goal of the program is, “to encourage respect, leadership and commitment to excellence on and off the playing field, exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship and contribute to the aims of a BYU education.”
The program gives awards to the best teams. For many BYU students, the intramural champion T-shirt is an important possession to acquire before graduating.
Nicole Rasmussen, a graduate student from Queen Creek, Ariz., knows what it feels like to be an intramural champion. Rasmussen has been at BYU for more than six years and is about to graduate with a master’s in exercise physiology. She has played multiple intramural sports during her university experience.
Rasmussen said she would encourage new students to join intramurals.
“[Intramurals] are such a great BYU tradition,” Rasmussen said. “You absolutely cannot come to BYU and not participate in at least one intramural team. It is a great way to stay active in a competitive setting.”
Dane Raleigh, who transferred to BYU from California this year, recently participated in his first intramural season.
“The games are well organized, professional and provide good competition,” Raleigh said. “It allows students to relieve stress and develop their athletic skills in a fun, safe environment. I think every new student should get involved in intramurals. You will meet awesome friends.”
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