Whitworth’s Intramural Sports Program is off to a busy start this 2024-25 school year. With the goal of creating a friendly setting for students to take part in sports, Whitworth currently offers semester-long intramural seasons for a variety of sports, ranging from basketball to ultimate frisbee.  

Intramurals typically require a one-to-two-hour time commitment throughout a season, with teams competing in games once or twice a week for four weeks before a week of playoffs. Playing fees include three payment package options: single sport, semester unlimited and year unlimited. Students can register for intramurals by following the instructions available on the U-Rec website. 

For sophomores Azalea Vlietstra and Aubrey Lu, participating in intramural volleyball has given them the chance to continue playing the sport. “We both played in high school,” said Lu, “and we had a group of friends, and we were like, ‘Why not just start a team?’” They both mention that playing intramural volleyball for the past two years has given them the opportunity to connect with people they likely wouldn’t have crossed paths with. “I feel like you meet a lot of people that you wouldn’t normally meet,” said Lu. 

Sophomore Eli Roberts currently plays on an intramural volleyball team and has participated in three seasons so far. He explained that he had played club volleyball in high school and had decided to join a team with some friends at the start of his freshman year. Roberts also noted that playing an intramural has had a positive impact on his social life while living on campus. 

“I think it’s helped me a lot, especially this year. I got to meet a lot of the new freshmen that were coming in…and a lot of groups go [to the U-Rec]. They play almost every single night, so whether there’s a game or not, everyone’s always there,” said Roberts. 

Roberts candidly shares his experience transitioning from collegiate-level athletics to enjoying recreational intramurals. “I did track [and] cross country, but I was too injured to do the full thing, and so since I was kind of benched for track and cross country, I [decided] I can just go do intramurals for volleyball,” said Roberts. He mentions that intramurals have offered structure to his routine and provided an outlet for the pressures of school. Whatever the reason might be, students should consider taking part in one or more intramurals during their time at Whitworth.