Commentary: Intramurals at BBC are possible if students demand it

Natasha Caplan/Staff Writer

Want to play flag-football at the University, but don’t know where to go? That’s the same question some students at the Biscayne Bay Campus are pondering.

Most students choose a college or university for its academic merits, but another key factor in their decision is the recreational sports programs and facilities. Recreational sports are an important component to students’ quality of life on campus and to a college’s recruitment and retention of students.

Intramurals help play a key role in meeting new people and having opportunities on campus to get involved through sports, making them an intricate part of the collegiate experience. Unfortunately, not all students are privy to their existence, especially those at BBC.

Campus recreation and intramurals at FIU involve basic sports like flag-football, basketball, volleyball and soccer, to list some options. Alternatives, such as kickball, dodge ball, and even electronic game tournaments are available as well.

However, these options are only available at the Modesto Maidique Campus.

BBC does host some events, however, it is infrequent.

Most intramurals at BBC occur once a semester or even once a year, which cannot compare with the weekly and monthly events at MMC. For instance, the highlight of MMC’s intramural schedule is the five week flag football 7-on-7 season in the fall, which featured an open six division, 26 team season, on top of fraternity and sorority competition and 4-on-4 competition. For BBC students, there are opportunities to participate in the intramural programs, providing they commute to MMC, which is roughly 40 minutes away.

Activities like these give those students leadership experiences and opportunities to develop their people and teamwork skills, but with most options being at MMC, where does that leave students on the BBC?

“We have intramurals?” said David Klein, junior English student. “I’ve never heard anything about them. If we do, they should put up posters or signs and really promote these sports. I’d love to play some football.”

FIU gives out championship t-shirts after winning a league or a tournament championship, and these shirts are sought after on campus by all participants. These victory garments can be seen floating all around MMC, but are hard-pressed to be found on BBC.

There are three main reasons: First, a lack of coordinators to initiate games; secondly, the almost invisible advertising for upcoming events around campus; thirdly, students not giving a voice to their wishes.

“Sports clubs can take on events themselves,” said Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Warren Shaw, who is responsible for intramurals at BBC. “We’d be happy to give them any equipment they need to facilitate that. If the need were actually there, we’ve done the best that we can do with the staff there.”

Some students don’t see an issue with the infrequency of intramurals on BBC.

“Just the way it is is fine,” said Daniel Triche, senior in criminal justice. “If it was once a month, people wouldn’t show up as much because they’d know it would be there next month.”

Yet, not all students agree with Triche.

“The lack of intramurals is sad,” said Javier Friguls, senior sports management major. “I want to see them have a champion from that campus versus a champion from this campus.”

Intramurals are orchestrated by the student sports and recreation office, with a specific coordinator and graduate assistant for the position. FIU’s Intramural and Club Sports Coordinator, Matt O’Connor, believes that BBC doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure to accommodate intramurals just yet.

“[BBC] doesn’t have the facility space and the number of people to participate,” said O’Connor. “If promoted properly, students would definitely be as interested as they are at [MMC]. Intramurals are one of the most popular activities on campus. [Students should] go to student government and show that it’s something [they] want and need. [The Student Government Council] will recognize and see what they can do to mix things up on campus.”

It’s clear that FIU sports and recreation need to help create a more accessible way and better promotion for both campuses to enjoy frequent intramural sporting events for eager participants. More importantly, students need to voice their concerns and needs in what they would like to see on both campuses. There is enough interest to have, at minimum, a 4-on-4 flag football season in the soccer fields next to housing, where occasional tournaments are held.

BBC students can unify their mutual ideas and goals and request a course of action from the entities in charge of these events. Campus recreation, like intramurals, allows students to continue their education outside of the classroom as well as make memories and friendships that can last throughout their collegiate careers. These memories can live for a lifetime, but only if created and supplied for those who wish to reach these goals.