Are you looking to be more active, spend time with friends, and simply have a good time? Well, intramural sports are perfect for you.
Winona State University has been offering intramural sports for countless years as they partner with the Integrated Wellness Complex (IWC). Intramural sports provide Winona State students ranging from first year to graduate to play the sport they love without the time commitment of being a student athlete, show off their skills, or lack of, to their friends and teammates all within a positive environment.
Intramural volleyball is quite popular among the rest of the sports offered. Winona State offers both a co-ed and women’s league throughout the week. The co-ed volleyball league takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays while women’s is primarily on Wednesdays. For those who simply cannot get enough of their league or curious students wanting to try out the game, co-ed pickup games are hosted on Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
All intramural sports are great for past high school student athletes. Intramural play gives Winona State students the ability to play the sport they love without taking up time in their busy schedule.
“After playing sports my whole life, it was a weird transition not having that commitment every day in college,” Shaina Christensen, a returning intramural volleyball player, explained. “Joining an intramural team allowed me to stay competitive and play the sport I enjoy, without the time commitment of being a student athlete.”
Intramural volleyball is also a great opportunity for Winona State students to meet other members within the community. Whether making new friends with your teammates, your opponents or the students running the games, students involved in intramural sports are able to make friendships that may have never occurred without joining the league. Winona State even offers students the ability to register as a free agent which allows students to be placed on a team and meet a new group of people.
“It is important for students to participate in intramurals because it allows students to live holistic lives while at WSU,” Kaitlyn Calabrese, the intramurals graduate assistant said. “It also allows students to build a community and make new friends on their team or even teams they are competing against.”
Whether you are playing the best you’ve ever played, or it’s your first time hitting a volleyball, you are always going to have a good time without fail. Intramural sports are a great way to destress from a long day of classes and homework with your friends and student community.
“I always have a good time, win or lose, at intramurals and look forward to it each week,” Christensen said. “It’s a fun and welcoming environment for athletes of all levels!”
If you are curious about joining an intramural league, check out the listed days and times either on the Winona State website or inside the IWC. Besides intramural volleyball, Winona State offers intramural basketball, football, soccer, pickleball, and bags. All intramural sports begin the week of Sept. 22nd and continue through late November. Besides intramural football, all intramural sports offer pickup games which require no registration. Simply show up, play, and enjoy yourself.
