Intermural leagues are comprised of recreational sports that focus more on fun. What makes these leagues unique is the fact that they aren’t rooted too much in competition, with the focus being on the fun that you will have in playing the sport.
In playing, you have an avenue for social connections with people who share your love of the sport, providing a way to stay active and work out while enjoying community. These leagues make it so that no matter a person's skill level, they can come together and have fun in the way that is casual and inclusive.
These leagues are special in the sense that they shape a community of people beyond the scope of varsity sports. They give everyday students who may not have had the opportunity to pursue their sports after high school the chance to play and enjoy the sports that they know and love.
“Intermural sports [is] fun… not too competitive, but just competitive enough to where… you’re still fighting,” Junior, Cole Baker said.
Intramural Leagues give students like Cole an outlet to experience the feeling of being an athlete and to be a part of a community again. These communities give people comfort to play their sport, even if it's not at the level of a varsity athlete.
These leagues have shaped the lives of many students at AU, giving them places to enjoy themselves and have no worries while they play. As senior Will Mueller put it “sports is something that can be lacking at American, so it's good to have that sense of sports and community and get to compete with your friends.”
“If you have played sports in your past, it's a great opportunity to continue that, where the lights aren't too bright, but they're just bright enough to have fun,” Will said.
These Intramural leagues give people a sense of belonging at American University. These sports have changed the culture of having to be Division Level in order to compete and have fun.
