UNM's intramural sports offer students, staff and faculty a variety of ways to get out and compete among their peers, provides a way of relieving stress and adds to a person's overall college experience.
"It provides a common ground for people to gather, and offers them ways to connect in ways not possible through the everyday school life," said Fred Perez, director of UNM's Recreational Services. "It helps to relieve the stress that everyone in college endures and promotes overall fitness, which is often not a priority during college."
Intramural sports are available at UNM throughout the year, with each of the sport's seasons lasting approximately three weeks. During the fall semester students are invited to participate in 3- and 6-player volleyball tournaments, as well as flag football, soccer and basketball leagues.
In the spring, students are offered 3-on-3 basketball, 4-person bowling or the badminton leagues that are available. They are also encouraged to participate in the 1-pitch softball and rag ball tournaments. During the early spring, the annual ski and snowboard race is also gaining popularity.
"We work hard to make sure that students have as many opportunities as possible to express themselves and experience as many things as possible," Perez said.
According to students, intramurals offer them ways to not only compete but to represent the groups they belong to on campus.
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"Being able to compete for a common goal promotes brotherhood and unity," said Mohad Ahmed of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. "It's a chance to come out and compete amongst ourselves and with other people on campus in a friendly environment."
Many of UNM's fraternities compete against each other in the various intramural sports offered.
"Competing in sports helps form a bond between people," said Kevin Stevenson of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. "It is also about pride. Intramurals offers a way to show the whole campus your talents and what you stand for."
Besides the three-week long leagues of sports, there are also a number of one-day events held throughout the year. These include swim meets, cross-country road races, golf shoot-outs and wall climbing events.
"Intramurals are important not only because it provides students ways to interact with people and stay in shape, but it gives them a chance to use the facilities that they paid for through their student fees," said Lisa Romero, Coordinator of UNM's Recreational Sports. "Getting involved allows students to make memories that they can take with them in life other than those of the classroom."
According to Perez, with over 200 different activities to participate in, there is something to fit every individual taste.
"Having the chance to play intramurals helps someone find out who they are," said Daniel Ruiz of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. "It helps teach sportsmanship and work ethic that are important in life. We really value the intramural program here at UNM."
More information and sign-up sheets for all the activities are available in the Recreational Services department.
"We do our best to cater to everyone's needs," Perez said. "We have something new starting all the time, and we invite everyone on campus to come out and get involved."
