Whether it’s breaking ankles on the hardcourt, undressing a defenceman on the ice, or getting dunked in a game of inner-tube water polo, U of T students are increasingly taking part in intramural sports. With close to 4,500 students competing in 15 different sports, the conclusion of the fall intramural season can once again be deemed a success. The intramural program at U of T, the largest of any Canadian university, often goes unnoticed on campus or in the press, but continues to grow in popularity.

Intramural participation has reached such a boom that over 2,000 students were turned away. “Our only major setback is that we can’t accommodate everybody,” says intramural coordinator Steve Manchur. The popularity has forced the coordinators to institute a draft lottery for new incoming teams.

With a full-time staff of six coordinators and a budget of roughly $130,000 dollars, Steve Manchur and his team are responsible for every organizational aspect of the intramural program. This includes the hiring of hundreds of students working as referees, scorekeepers, on-site supervisors, and other administrative duties to keep the program running smoothly.

“The beauty of the intramural program,” says Manchur, “is that it is truly governed and run by the students-we just administer it.” With elected student representatives from each college making up the intramural council, students possess the loudest voice in the decision-making process.

In addition to the council, the intramural program organized a student task force in order to diversify and better the program. One of the issues dealt with was how to accommodate the broad range of skill level. With most intramural sports offering a five-game schedule in four different divisions based on skill, there was still a need for a more competitive league.

This problem was addressed by creating the Tri-Campus league that provides what Steve Manchur calls a “near-varsity experience.” In only its second year, the Tri-Campus league, which offers women’s basketball and volleyball and men’s soccer and hockey, are all-star teams representing each of the three campuses. Offering chartered transportation, an extended nine game season, certified referees, and an opportunity to play at the same venues as the varsity teams, the Tri-Campus has exceeded all expectations. Although still in its early stages and limited to four sports, the Tri-Campus has successfully bridged the gap between the varsity and recreational athlete.

Another feature of the intramural program is increasing the identity of the many colleges and faculties across the university campus. According to Manchur, “the heart and soul of the intramural program is through the college system.” This has led to the majority of the teams competing being put together through a college or faculty association. From the Faculty of Engineering to University College, the intramural program has produced a sense of pride, and the beginning of rivalries and dynasties. Colleges are now itching to knock off champions like the Scarborough women’s soccer team, who’ve won six of the last seven years. Or the Faculty of Engineering, which has had a stranglehold of the Mulock Cup (men’s rugby) in recent years.

The task force has also addressed the need to offer sports that meet the interests of the multi-cultural make-up of the student body. The winter intramural session will offer non-traditional North American sports like indoor cricket and badminton because of the high demand. It is clear that the intramural program is putting its best foot forward in keeping up with the times.

Continuing with that trend, the intramural program is in its inaugural year of running a website. At www.uoftintramurals.ca you can find out schedules, statistics, codes of conduct, and even the intramural athlete of the week.

Most importantly, the website will guide you on how you can register your team before the deadline.