Every semester, many students wait for their chance to show their athletic skills in a fun and recreational way. Intramural sports are made for people who are not professional athletes to enjoy sports in an organized fashion.
University of Massachusetts Boston features an array of different sports throughout the school year that match the competitive seasons.
Shane Conti has been the Intramural Program Manager at UMass Boston since July of 2014. Conti organizes, referees, and participates in many, if not all, of the sports offered on campus.
Most sports are offered throughout the year in a schedule mirroring the traditional sports schedules. Some, however, are offered during both, fall, and spring semesters, with indoor options for the winter. Soccer used to be played on the field near the Clark Athletic Center, but due to recent construction, has been moved to the Marina Bay Sportsplex in nearby Quincy, for the upcoming season beginning September 24. Other indoor sports such as volleyball and basketball are hosted in the Clark Gymnasium.
After over a decade of experience in intramural program managing in a total of four universities, Conti still states that Umass Boston “by far has the best soccer talent ever.” says Conti, “Intramural soccer is really big here … the competition here at UMB for intramural soccer is nothing like I ever experienced at any other university.” Of all the sports offered, intramural soccer is the most popular and has the most participation.
Conti pointed out that there are various beneficial sides to the intramural sports teams, the most obvious being that it is a “great opportunity to work out”, but that it additionally is “a good stress reliever”.
Every year, UMass Boston students come out to create a fun and competitive environment that everyone can enjoy and participate in. They have a sign up period where student can create their own teams. During the seasons, the teams compete against each other to win the title of Intramural Sports Champions.
Conti also added that “it’s a good opportunity for students to meet each other, especially since this is a commuter school.”
One of the students who has played intramural sports at UMass Boston is Ronak Butani, a student studying to get his master’s degree in Computer Science, who played volleyball and soccer, “It was fun playing with all players [and I] learned a lot from each player”. He also agreed with Conti’s comment adding that he “made some [good friends] from different [departments]”.
Intramural sports are always looking for more students. “We’re always looking to grow”, said Conti, adding that “I think this is a service that is important for students”
Conti’s message to all the students who are considering whether to join is “what are you waiting for? There’s something for everyone and you don’t necessarily need to be the most talented either … anybody and come in and be competitive and have fun”
The registration periods for indoor volleyball and billiards will be coming up in the next couple of months.