Intramural sports score points with Vassar students

Joe Bubar Staff Writer

When Team Menergy beat Team Has Defeated to win the Intramural Flag Football Tournament on Nov. 3, there were no fans to rush the field, no goal posts to tear down and no coach to drench in Gatorade. Still, as intramurals director and men’s lacrosse Head Coach Joe Proud said, “It was the most football Vassar has ever had.”

The football tournament is just one of the many one-day events Vassar intramurals is offering this year. Others include kickball and badminton tournaments held this Saturday, Nov. 17. A returning favorite, the all-day dodgeball event, will be held on Dec. 8. A golf tournament took place earlier this semester and students can still e-mail the varsity fencing Head Coach Brad Gilman to try foil fencing on Dec. 5.

Led by Proud and Student Intramurals Director Janet Soltau ’10, the intramural program organizes a series of leagues with weekly competitions, as well. These sports include basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. While teams for these sports are already formed, there will be more opportunities next semester to participate.

At a college with academics as rigorous as Vassar’s, intramurals provide an environment in which the student body can “blow off steam, help their studies, and make friends,” said Proud.

This semester, Proud took over as Intramurals Director with only a handbook of rules from last year. At first the job was daunting, but Proud is satisfied with his decision to run the program. “It gives me more contact with the student body,” he said. “Intramurals bridges the gap between athletics and the general student population.”

Because it organizes competitive as well as recreational leagues, the intramurals program provides students of all skill levels—from high school athletes to students trying out sports for the first time—with a comfortable atmosphere in which to play.

Whether participants are attracted by the competitive culture or the fun environment, or a combination of both, intramurals have remained popular year after year. Proud plans to put together another football tournament soon, along with other one-day events.

Look for flyers advertising the one-day events and be sure to the intramurals link on athletics.vassar.edu for more information on how to join a league.