On the rise
Apathy for interuniversity sports exists among students at U of T. Not too many students are interested in watching the Blues play on ice, and even fewer are interested in the football team. Sure, there are a few well-attended sports events every year, but there isn’t too much spirit at this school.
This attitude towards varsity sports is not to be confused with the huge interest in intramural sports at U of T, however.
“We have upwards of 9,000 students participating this year, and this number is rising every year,” says John Robb, the program manager of arena and field intramurals.
The Athletic Centre, which is the hub for intramurals on campus, has had to make changes in order to accommodate the growing number of participating students. This year, more teams were added, and weekend games ran later than before.
“Sunday nights were packed, and that’s amazing for a predominantly commuter campus,” Robb continues.
Some sports, like indoor soccer, had so many participants that many students had to be turned down.
“We had to turn down 40 teams in indoor soccer” explains Robb, who said the amount of participation in the sport was simply amazing.
The intramural program is very broad. Almost every major sport was played this year, and classes in fencing, yoga, squash, golf, dance, and water polo were also offered. There were also many personal training and fitness classes provided for those who wanted them, so students had their needs catered to.
The best thing about the intramural program is that students of all skill levels can participate. Each sport has several divisions.
Many elite players make a leap from intramurals to the varsity teams, and it is not uncommon for former varsity athletes who have passed their five-year eligibility period to engage in intramurals.
New proposals have been made to try to accommodate everyone in this blossoming extracurricular program. One suggestion, which may actually happen, is to carpet the proposed Varsity Stadium with artificial grass, and have a bubble covering the field for all-weather use.
“The idea would allow round-the-year usage of the facility, and would allow many more students to participate, ” says Robb.
“Every year programs go out, and new ones come in. We have to analyze our program at every year end, because we are at our full capacity, ” he adds.
A proper toast
Recognize 2005, U of T’s annual intramural awards banquet, was held last Wednesday to honour U of T’s top intramural athletes, colleges, and faculties. The event gathered members of faculty of physical education, as well as members of colleges and faculties who were representing the over 9,000 athletes who took part in intramural sports this year.
It’s no secret that intramural athletics takes second billing to our varsity teams, and with good reason; some of our varsity athletes are not just the finest of our school, but the province and the country as well. That said, intramural athletes also rightfully deserve credit for their skills and sportsmanship.
Intramural leagues are more competitive than most people think, and can produce exciting, intense, and skillful play at all levels. The players may not be wearing Varsity Blue, but that doesn’t mean they are not playing their hearts out for their respective causes.
The awards ranged from honouring involvement in the intramural program, outstanding refereeing, and administrative efforts to excellence in athletic performance to general. Also, Intramural t-shirts were presented to an elite group of eighteen graduating students who provided exceptional contributions to the program as managers, administrators, or players.
But only two of these grads could get the nod as top graduating athletes: Jen Krol of Victoria College took home the female hounour, the Sidney Earle Smith trophy; while Chris Shutsa of Innis College took home the male prize, the Zerada Slack trophy. each recognizing the most outstanding graduating athlete in the areas of leadership, sportsmanship, and performance for males and females, respectively.
Meanwhile, the awards for most active and successful faculties and colleges were dominated by a select few. UTM, UTSC, the Faculties of Engineering, Physical Education and Health, and Pharmacy combined to sweep these categories.
The evening was capped by an address from Bruce Kidd, the dean of the Faculty of Phys. Ed., outlining the significance of the new Varsity Centre proposal to the intramural program. The proposed venue intends to have a whopping effect on the amount of hours available for intramural activity, and drastically reduce, if not eliminate, waiting lists in several sports. With artificial grass and a winter bubble for year-round use, as well as increased lighting for extended hours, the promise of a new facility definitely bodes well for intramural participants.
The evening certainly served as a way to recognize athletes, referees, and staff who have lent their talents and hard work to the intramural program over the last few years. This night showed that athletics are alive and well at U of T.
