Participation is at heart of intramurals
by Chris Williams

The engines roar to life as the drivers prepare themselves. Beads of perspiration form on foreheads of the participants as they anticipate the green flag.

This race is for all the marbles. It’s not just about the prize purse or the fortune and glory; this race is for some serious bragging rights.

This is the Golf Cart 500.

The race that took place on Friday, September 25 was one of the first events to kick off this year’s intramural sports. Teams of six raced two at a time, navigating through various obstacles while rotating drivers. The Lake Taylor Music Festival team took home the checkered flag.

“I think the name of their cart was ‘This Cart Sucks’,” said Mark Cassarino, organizer of the intramural events. Each member of the team received a $20 gift certificate from Sports Authority for their efforts.

Obviously you don’t have to be a star athlete to be successful in intramural sports.

“All of the events don’t necessarily have to be of a physical nature,” said Cassarino.

Another upcoming event will be a miniature golf tournament. Courses will be set up to get both residents and commuters involved. The top putters from each hall, along with the top commuters, will compete for the championship.

“Our philosophy is based on participation,” said Cassarino. “The most important thing is getting people to come out.”

Apparently, the philosophy works. Last year 91% of all residents at Virginia Wesleyan participated in intramural games in some way.

Other games that students will have the opportunity to compete in will be beach volleyball, flag football, and indoor soccer. Cassarino is also currently trying to get participants for a doubles tennis tournament.

The Footballapalooza game was held on October 2nd. The annual epic struggle between good and evil was played out in a flag football war, with unusual “razzle-dazzle” style rules that involved players getting extra points for doing a particularly entertaining end-zone dance after scoring a touchdown. There is a always great deal of pageantry that goes along with the big event.

“Competition is the idea, but having fun is the key goal here,” said Cassarino, and added that “it’s a fun thing, not a beat the crap out of the other guy thing.”

The intramural games are open to all students, regardless of athletic ability, age, or gender. “About 90% of our teams are coed,” said Cassarino.

This spring, an intramural class will be also be offered. The students taking the class will help to design events and come up with ways to advertise the events and promote participation. While the class plays a major part in coming up with new and original games, Cassarino says he is always looking for additional ideas.

“I’m very open to suggestions, and I encourage students to come up to me with their own ideas,” said Cassarino.