The Intramurals & Recreation program at the University of Massachusetts Boston welcome students back to campus with events featuring World Champion Trial rider and Red Bull athlete, Thomas Ohler.
Ohler performed a series of tricks that involved jumping effortlessly on, off and around picnic tables in the harbor gazebo; all while navigating student spectators. He recruited student volunteers for his demonstration, using surgical precision to maneuver his bike over and between UMass Boston students.
This event took place early last month at the Fox Point Pavilion was designed to welcome the UMass Boston student community back and showcase the department’s unique activities.
The Intramural and Recreations program allows and organizes the University’s physical activities, such as the many Intramural sports they offer, swim lessons, open gym, kayaking, sailing, and much more. This year the intramural sports are flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, softball, and racquetball.
“If students want a certain sport that the Intramural program does not currently offer, if they come with a team we will try and make the sport available,” said Chris Fitzgerald the Director of the Intramural and Recreation program.
“We recently opened teams to faculty and staff to be able to compete against students and other faculty teams.”
The Intramural and Recreations program is all about having events that encourage physical activity among the University students and staff. 
“Students usually come with a group of their friends that enjoy the sport, and create their own teams,“said Fitzgerald. “It’s more fun, some take it more seriously than others, they can be really competitive.”
Carlos Armando Vizcardo, a soccer player for the Praying Mantis, an Intramural team, plays for the love of soccer. He is a full time student and could not manage the commitment to the University Soccer team. A friend of his approached him last year about joining the team, and ever since he has been able to play a sport he loves while keeping up with his school work.
“I played soccer my whole life, I really enjoy the sport” said Vizcardo “Everyone is pretty friendly on the teams, it’s a great way to meet a lot of people.”
In an email addressed to the University community on Sept. 30, on behalf of Beacon Center, the Intramurals and Recreation has also launched a challenge called “October 50 for 50” to celebrate UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary.
The challenge is for students and staff to walk and/or run 50 miles in the days of October, as stated in the email.