The Passion That Is Flag Football (And Other Intramural Sports)

Around the country every year millions of young boys are born with the dreams of being a professional athlete.  But 18-20 years late, after the pictures and parties that swirl around high school graduation or done.  About 99% of young men experience the harsh reality that is “real life,” for with the reception of a diploma means the loss of their athletic dream. 

But with the inception of intramural sports no longer does a short walk across a stage mean the end of an athletic career.  No longer does the quarterback from the small 1-A high school who got no scholarship offers have to sit back on Saturdays and watch the sport of champions that he once played.  No longer does the basketball fanatic that could never make squad all through high school have to settle for being the water boy.  And no longer does the kid with zero athletic ability have to join the band to touch the field.

I started off at Texas State in the fall of 2006 and had no idea what intramural sports were.  I went to a junior college and we didn’t have them.  During my first year here I would drive by Bobcat Village and Strahan Coliseum and see people running around all over the place, Gatorade jugs and some sidelines jazzed up with giant wooden fraternity letters.  But until the fall of 2007 I never quite understood why.

Stepping on an intramural field and strapping a flag around your waste is one of the most intense feelings I’ve had.  Basketball was my thing and high school only allowed a player to play one sport so I was always in the stands during Friday night football games.  So the first time I stepped under the lights last fall I was a rush matched by few other things.

The atmosphere is intense to say the least.  Two games going on at once right beside each other.  Coeds on the sideline, I know that might sound kind of corny but let’s consider the circumstances.  High school football, you’re on the field, girls are in the stands.  You’re wearing a helmet; no one can see your face.  And there are 11 players, so if you do mess up, there’s a chance they might not have been able to tell it was you.

But in intramurals, there’s no escaping.   No bleachers, no helmets and there will be no confusing you with anyone else.  Now that’s pressure.

But what I love most about intramural sports, football especially, the playing fields are leveled.  The slow, guy with the inhaler, the coke bottle glasses, and size 28 waist can still play.  There are no try outs.  You pay, you play; it’s that simple. 

The guy who can’t jump over a quarter can play on a basketball team.  Might not be any good, but he can still play. 

The dude with bones like glass is no longer considered fresh meat can now play football because tackles are illegal. 

And the hefty girl who jut didn’t have the quickness to make it off the B-team pine can now start her own volleyball team, and even keep those tropical skittles she oh loves so much tucked away safely in her ever so stretched spandex tights.

“Sport” is defined as an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition..  “Athlete” is defined as a person trained to compete in sports or exercises. So clearly you don’t have to be an athlete to participate in sports.  And that’s what I love about intramural sports, it’s okay not to be an “athlete.”  It’s okay to just “be.”