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In addition to keeping up with classes, friends, and maintaining a job, Hamline athletes train in the off-season, practice several times a week, hit the weight room, and then compete against other Division-III athletes. Hamline athletes make it look easy, as they averaged a 3.0 GPA over the course of last year, but it’s understandable that Division-III athletics are not for everyone.

For those individuals who love to compete and play but don’t have the time or energy to take on the commitment that comes with playing with an organized team, Hamline offers intramural sports and activities.

Intramural sports offers Hamline students an outlet for their athletic aspirations as well as introduce them to a community of individuals with similar interests.

“It’s just very relaxing...A great way to meet new students and make friends...You’ve got to have fun in college. [College] can’t be all work and no play,” said Chris Lutz, Director of Intramural Sports.

Hamline has an array of intramural sports to choose from. The university offers flag football, Ultimate Frisbee, 5-on-5 basketball, 3-on-3 basketball, J-Term bowling, and 7-on-7 volleyball, in a relaxed but competitive atmosphere.

Ultimate Frisbee is a relatively new sport to show up on the intramural scene. The game is comparable to football in nature. There are two teams, two end-zones, and the game is played with a disc rather than a ball. It is a much faster paced game though and there is very little down-time between plays. The game is constantly in motion and the only break in action comes after a score.

As an organization, Hamline’s intramural sports tries to stress safety and fun. While it is true that intramural sports are more relaxed and laid-back than it’s organized counterparts, Lutz warns Hamline that some contact is unavoidable but individuals who take it too serious will not be tolerated.

“Once in a while you’re going to have contact, whether it’s in football or in basketball with people trying to go up for the ball. But if someone is getting out of hand, we don’t need that,” said Lutz.

For a small campus, Hamline offers a variety of sports to choose from, but there are some sports that aren’t offered. Lutz encourages students to at least inquire to the availability of certain sports and welcomes individuals to gain support and start their owns teams.

“There have been a lot of suggestions for soccer, and that’s something that we are really considering doing,” said Lutz.
Sign-ups for ultimate frisbee and flag football have already begun but the teams welcome new players up until the mid-point of the season, in most cases. According to Lutz, “We [intramural sports] would rather not have an odd number of teams but we will try to make room for everyone, if possible.”
Information on intramural sports at Hamline and to access the sign-up sheets are available in the basement of Walker Field House, near the post office. Chris Lutz and the intramural sports organization can be reached at intramural@hamline.edu.

Reporting by Dustin Smith