With the participation of an estimated 3,500 students, spring intramural sports seem to be off to a fast start.

Beginning Monday, more than 140 basketball teams will head to Huston Huffman Center to see who will win this year's intramural basketball championship.

"This year we have four divisions," said Garry Armstrong, assistant director of Recreational Services and intramural coordinator. "There will be men residential, fraternity and open, then one women's division."

He said each team will play five games, and the teams that win at least three games will move to the playoffs.

Basketball is not the only sport on this semester's intramural agenda. Students can compete in up to 15 sports, including tennis, water polo and volleyball.

Even though previous student polls have indicated that some co-ed sports do not work, co-ed water polo, volleyball and softball will be offered this semester.

"It is always fun to play sports with guys, especially as a freshman when it is hard to meet people," said Cassie Winn, marketing sophomore and former Alpha Chi Omega intramural coordinator. "Co-ed intramural sports are a fun and relaxed atmosphere."

If students decide they would like to see more co-ed sports on the agenda, the intramural program would be willing to give them a chance, Armstrong said.

"The intramural opportunity is for the students," he said. "It is their program."

Among the 15 sports, two-ball soccer and passing league football will be new additions to this semester's lineup.

Two-ball soccer will be a men's and women's league that the intramural program hopes will take the edge off of the competitive nature of the game to make it more recreational, Armstrong said.

"Soccer tends to be one of the sports that is a little harder to control because of how the game was made," he said. "We want to be able to control it in a non-competitive style. That's what the intramural program is all about-a common blend of recreation and fitness provided to the students."

Passing league football will be a five-on-five game with no running plays and no flags, Armstrong said. It is set up as a fast-paced game where the player is down upon catching the ball.

Participating in sports isn't the only way students can become involved in intramurals. Anywhere from 125 to 150 students are officials who use intramurals as a source of income.

"I've had a lot of friends that have been intramural officials," said Chris Yanniello, international business sophomore. "Now I'm looking to get a job as an official. It is a great way to stay around sports and get paid at the same time. Not only that, but it's also convenient because the games are right on campus."

The OU intramural program has been evolving for more than 40 years. Any student wishing to become involved can visit www.ou.edu/imrecsports/im.htm or go to the Huston Huffman Center for further information.
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