Building Community Through Play: UNT's Intramural Sports Foster Student Connections and Well-Being
Popular fall semester intramural sports at UNT include flag football, volleyball and pickleball. Additionally, there is a variety of esports games. Photo by Mel Vong
DENTON, Texas—As the days cool down and the air carries a crispness hinting at the change of seasons, the anticipation of intramural tournaments stirs excitement among the University of North Texas students. Intramural sports are recreational activities held within a college or university, involving teams made up of students. They are less of a time commitment than intercollegiate sports, focusing on fun rather than intense competition.
“IM sports gave me something to look forward to after class,” says Luc Pham, an active intramural sports player. “It provides an environment that is fun but no pressure.”
Halloween night marked the conclusion of the intramural volleyball tournaments with its championship match. On a weekday evening, students eagerly beeline into the Physical Education Building. The atmosphere shifts from warm and quiet to cool and lively as they enter the building. The scent of polished laminated wood mingles with the aroma of well-worn sneakers. Excited shouts and rhythmic thuds of volleyballs slamming against the floor merge with the piercing squeaks of shoes as they echo off the walls leading to the gymnasium. On the court, the intramural volleyball teams face their spirited challengers.
Amid the excitement, Mia Nguyen, a dedicated intramural volleyball player, reflects on her experiences and shares her joy in participating in the recreational sport.
“I think intramural sports provide a level of social bonding since it’s not at such a high professional level,” Nguyen says. “Friend groups play casually just as a way to hang out since it might be hard to on a regular basis, which in turn brings a sense of belonging and friendship”
Nguyen's team, “We Volley Balls,” won the championship intramural volleyball match and celebrated their long-awaited triumph.
“I’ve known my teammates for three years, and this is our first time winning the championship together,” she beams.
Nguyen’s experience in intramural sports has greatly influenced her social life.
“Since I’m playing a sport with people I don’t really know, it allows me to get out of my comfort zone and talk to people,” Nguyen says. “I now have more friends that have similar interests and I get to play a sport that I enjoy.”
Intramural sports have become an increasingly valuable part of college experiences for students. Across the country, numerous colleges support the importance of intramural sports. According to Melissa Evans, the Kinesiology Department Chair at Tarrant County College, there is a positive correlation between exercise and increased productivity in the classroom. Participating in intramural sports allows students to integrate physical activity into their hectic schedules, promoting both health and academic success.
“Intramural sports are important for college students because it’s a good way to make new friends while also staying active,” Nguyen says. “I think it’s a good way to stay healthy while in college because it gets hard to have a consistent workout schedule sometimes.”
At the UNT Recreation Center, intramural sports have served an important role in fostering community and camaraderie.
“It allows for many different orgs, Greek life and other groups of individuals to come together into one active and embracing community,” says Luke Trussell, a staff member at UNT Recreation Center. “I also think it’s a perfect alternative to sports club, which is more competitive and costly.”
The recreation center provides a variety of intramural sports from flag football, volleyball, basketball and dodgeball to esports such as Nintendo and sports games. However, Trussell believes there is room for improvement to grow the intramural sports community.
“I think IMs could improve by expanding our games even further,” Trussell explains. “I think it’s great that we include esports, but I think we could incorporate more competitive games that aren’t necessarily traditional sports such as chess or poker.”
With low risk and high reward, intramural sports provide a welcoming and secure environment for students to engage in physical activities. These recreational leagues are designed to cater to a wide variety of interests and skill levels, making it easy for everyone to participate. Among the popular sports, there are four distinct categories: co-ed leagues, where teams are mixed gender; open leagues, which allow any student regardless of their affiliation; open resident hall leagues, specifically for residents of campus housing; and women's leagues, offering a supportive space for female athletes. This diverse range of options ensures that every student can find a league that suits their preferences and encourages active involvement.
“Whether you’re already part of an existing community or looking to join one, intramural sports is an exciting way to be involved at UNT,” Trussell encouragingly says.
With the spring semester, intramural volleyball and flag football take a step off the stage for spring intramural sports like basketball, canoe wars, cornhole and ultimate disc.
