With the final goals being scored, last-second touchdowns being thrown and game-winning baskets bring made, celebrations ensued as Carleton crowned its intramural champions this past week, capping off a successful fall 2009 campaign.
Whether students were looking for intense competition or simply some recreational activity, 10 different sports offered both grizzled veterans and first-time participants the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of choices.
Of these sports, soccer garnered the most participants, as the “beautiful game” saw play distributed amongst five different leagues and 12 divisions, each of which varied in competition level.
One person who knows the difference between the various leagues is second-year engineering student Callum Young, who participated in both the competitive and co-ed divisions.
“In the co-ed level you can go on with a smile and just relax, not having to worry about a pass going astray or missing a tackle,” Young said. “In the competitive league people often forget this, and it can sometimes get very nasty.”
That said, Young said he believes that removing this intensity from the game would make for a less appealing product.
“I am always amazed at how many people come out to watch the games in the Fieldhouse,” he said. “If it wasn’t for this high level of intensity, I don’t think it would be as interesting for people.”
Despite the exciting nature of the game, there was one aspect that Young was not entirely satisfied with.
“The league was well organized, but the referees could probably do with a few courses, as the standard of officiating wasn’t always very high.”
While referees were being hounded indoors, such was not the case out on Ravens’ Field, as players such as Josh Woods were more than happy with the officiating in flag football’s Lombardi Division.
“The refereeing was pretty good overall, even when games came down to the wire and got really intense, the referees maintained a good standard,” said Woods.
Back inside the Althletics Centre, the Raven’s Nest was home to basketball enthusiasts like second-year communications student Mike Gibbins, who enjoyed the chance to play with some new faces and create new friendships.
“This intramural basketball season was actually a lot of fun,” he said. “I was with a bunch of new guys this year and I thought we fit together pretty well.”
This phenomenon is something that Gibbins said he believes should encourage anybody who may be hesitant to get onto the field of play.
“I think it’ a great way to get involved,” Gibbons said. “Even if you don’t know anyone who plays, you can still join an ‘Athletics’ team [as an individual], where you’re bound to find people that just want to play as much as you do.”
If these individuals do indeed decide to get involved in the action, they will be joining the more than 5,000 people who gave their blood, sweat and tears to go after the coveted “intramural champion” long-sleeve shirt.
During the upcoming Christmas break, players will have time to sit back and relax, and heal any injuries that they may have sustained.
Teams will hit the various playing surfaces with a renewed sense of optimism in January 2010, when they take another shot at having their names etched on Carleton’s Intramural Honour Role.