University's Bell Center Stirs
Competitive Fires in Student Athletes

By Jeffrey Klein
CyberNews Staff Reporter

February 12, 2002

Though the weather outside may have been chilly, the air inside the Bell Center on the Drake University campus was filled with the competitive fires from dozens of intramural athletes.

While some of the students were there to meet new people, others were out to prove they haven't lost a step athletically since their high school days. Any way you slice it, the intramural program at Drake seems to be a success.

Mike Schnieders, assistant to the intramural program, said, "Intramural athletics at Drake give students the opportunity to access social outlets they might not have used otherwise, while at the same time allowing students a way to release anxiety through sports."

Schnieders said, "We want to build a strong program at Drake that keeps the games fun, while still allowing a competitive atmosphere for those seeking it."

Tim Garrick (J3) said, "It's nice to be able to go out on the court with your peers, and get the challenge that only sports can provide."

Another goal of the intramural program is to provide a forum in which athletes are able to fulfill athletic desires that would normally have ceased. Erin Kane (J2) said, "...it gives us the chance to continue participation in athletics, even if you don't play for Drake."

The intramural program at Drake provides activities for hundreds of students throughout the year. Still, according to Schnieders, pleasing eveyone is hard to do. Schnieders said, "We always try to please each team without affecting the other teams negatively." Often night classes or campus activities provide scheduling conflicts for participants, leaving organizers scrambling to fulfill schedule requirements.

Other problems that arise come from students who take the games too seriously and begin taking their frustrations out on the officials. Each official is required to attend classes on refereeing, with the goal of ensuring safety to intramural participants and adding integrity to the system. Schnieders talked about his days as both an athlete and an official, leading to his goal of teaching officials how to "read a game."

Teri Fischbach (AS4) said, "The officials have no hidden agendas or biases." Still the officials come up with their own ways to deal with any sort of verbal jousting. Sam El-Ayazra (L1) said, "It's one of those things that happens in the heat of the moment, you learn to just blow it off."

As the intramural basketball season comes to a close, other sports such as soccer, tennis and softball will be starting up. It's a never-ending cycle for organizers, athletes and officials. After all the verbal quips and competitive fires are put out, what's left are the relationships you form within the community of participants. Fischbach said, "It's about being able to interact with your peers on a social level, while still being able to have fun and be physically active."