Intramural sports continues to be popular among many students
Posted by The Skyliner on October 28th, 2009Jessicah Peters
Staff Writer
For the fit, unfit, misfit and out of shape, the North Greenville Intramural Sports department is a great way for students to get active.
Donald Lilly, director of intramurals, has been working with the department for three years, shaping it into a program that is capable of involving all students.
“In 2007, I heard there was an opening for the job and really felt called to work at NGU. I contacted Mr. Billy Watson and was offered the job. I enjoy working at NGU and would like to be here for many more years,” Lilly said.
The sports that just ended are flag football and sand volleyball. Both seasons were very eventful and included a wide range of students. Flag football had an intense season leading to the championship game between the Got ‘Ems and N/As. Both teams had gone 4-0 for the regular season, but the Got ‘ems pulled through, winning 20-6, keeping a perfect season of 5-0.
“It felt awesome winning with a bunch of my friends, especially since we never practiced,” Got ‘Em quarterback Robb Johnson, junior health promotion and wellness, said.
As for sand volleyball, the competition was relentless. The Fresh team won the championship and received their shirts for an amazing season and incredible win.
“I decided to play because I love playing sports, and sand volleyball was next on the schedule for intramurals, so I signed on,” Taylor Vanderlip, sophomore undecided, said.
“We had a very good team with potential to win the sand volleyball championship, but team Fresh destroyed our hopes of a championship in the semi-final round by beating us 2-0. Overall we had a tremendous season and had lots of fun just getting to know one another and playing volleyball together,” Vanderlip said.
The next sports to be played in intramurals are ultimate Frisbee and dodge ball. Ultimate will be played on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons starting at 4:30. Dodge ball will be played in the gym Tuesday and Thursday nights starting at 9 p.m.
There have been many teams to sign up and play in both games. For ultimate Frisbee there are eight participating teams: Macedones, Scrubs, Marietta Whippoorwills, Got ’Em, Kiss Kiss, Mudd Dawgs, Bruce Spiders and Killa Chinchillas. And for dodge ball there are ten teams: Flying Squirrels, Shake & Bake, Lazy Dragon Pirates, Lost Boys, Raging Ballers, Wright, Troop 517, Spartans, Hawkins and Kiss Kiss. It will be a great season and many will be looking forward to seeing who wins the championship shirts.
“This year I am playing ultimate Frisbee for the Scrubs. I like to participate, because its a great way to get away from studies and have fun with friends,” Jeff Williams said.
“I also supervise two Resident Assistants who work exclusively in the intramural department—Adam Ellison, a sophomore Christian studies major, and Nicholas Everett who is a senior English major. The individuals that work for me are not generally sports management majors they are just individuals who love sports and want to work around sports,” Lilly said.
Technically the teams are not “official” when it comes to North Greenville Athletics, but North Greenville does have many traveling intramural teams. For example both flag football and ultimate Frisbee have traveling teams and all players do take seriously the games they participate in.
When students were asked if there could be any improvements made in the intramural department, many replied with honest responses.
“I don’t think there is any need for improvement. Donald takes care of things pretty well. I play intramural basketball because I love everything about the sport. It’s a great way to come together as a team. The neat thing is discovering each of our strengths on the court and bring them together to play the best game we can. It’s a really cool thing to see and be a part of,” Valerie Miller, senior psychology, said.
The intramural department is a great way for students not involved in NGU’s athletic department to participate in athletics. Lilly strongly encourages students to be active and participate in the wide range of sports offered by the department.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 7