6 Sports
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008
Clackamas Prii
Intramurals score with student
The intramural program at
Clackamas is thriving, and
students flock to sign up
Andrea Simpson
Sports Editor
All sorts of people are welcome -
short, tall, fast and slow - in Clackamas ’
intramurals program.
Intramurals has been a staple at the
college for more than 20 years. It con
tinues to draw basketball enthusiasts
of all kinds.
Head Volleyball Coach Kathie
Woods started the program in 1983.
“A lot of people choose to do this
instead of trying out for a college
sport because they don’t have the
time, commitment or possibly the skill
development, but they still enjoy com
petition,” Woods said in an e-mail.
Staff member Bryan Fuentez, a
work force specialist on campus, said
of intramurals, “It gets me out of the
office and into a different building Kathie Woods instructs intramural basketball players as to what teams will face off in that day’s games. Woods s
on campus. I get to interact with stu the program at Clackamas in 1983 and continues to run it today. The basketball teams meet every Tuesday at n
dents.”
When the intramurals program first
began, the community recreation department encour hire officials and do more with it,” she added. “Then, tition is very even, and it makes for a good la
aged people from the local area to participate in activi I was needed to teach more classes in the department, People are still signing up on the already ex]
1
ties such as open tennis tournaments and fun runs for and the intramural part turned more into an open rec teams.”
reation thing, and I was not in charge of that.”
the community.
Information and rewards!
However, the community program was dropped a
few years ago due to lack of funds.
A new start
The intramural department is always open to
Traveling team
About eight years ago, the administration ing new sports if students are interested.
“If people want more, we try it,” Woods said
approached Woods, asking her to take over the pro
tried an Ultimate Frisbee event, but it ended i
The intramural teams do not compete with schools gram once more.
“So I had to start all over but with a smaller bud getting enough participants. We have also had
outside of Clackamas, with the exception of racquet
get,” Woods said. “Now we focus on one or two sports fun runs, and also a tennis ladder. We used ti
ball.
“Intermural (instead of “intramural” - “intra” a term, with minimal equipment, and competition is have a very competitive softball league in the s
but that was before the break in the program.”
meaning within the school and “inter” meaning out self-officiated.”
Intramurals is completely free for student
In the fall, flag football takes place on campus, and
side of the school) competition sometimes occurs in
the racquetball league when we actually travel to other racquetball is offered through Eastside Athletic Club, faculty. Prizes are given for the winning team
individuals who participate.
schools for competition,” Woods said. “We have been although there is a fee to the club for their services.
“We give T-shirts to the champions, and the
"... We had four full football teams sign up, but
to Chemeketa several times, and also to Mt. Hood and
only three stayed with the program,” Woods said of ing the Turkey Trot at Thanksgiving, we give pii
even Portland State.”
When intramurals was initially established, it was flag football this past year. “I think they thought they turkeys,” Woods said.
All information about the intramural progra
active on a larger scale than it is currently. Clackamas weren’t very good so they quit. That was too bad.”
The annual Turkey Trot also takes place during be found on a bulletin board located in the lowe
even participated in competitions sponsored by
of Randall Hall at the bottom of the stairs. Sij
November, and raises canned food for charity.
Chrysler.
In the winter, basketball and racquetball are the and notices are available there, as well as result
“... A long time ago, we ran a four-on-four bas
matches and pictures from events.
ketball tourney that went intermural, and a very good featured sports.
“Every term, I have the information 01
“It’s something to keep me active and in shape,”
team (the Clackamas Champion) went on to play at
the national level,” Woods said. “We actually hosted freshman Mshaka Mitchell said. “It’s a fun atmo first day of school on the bulletin board,” '
it, and our own Clackamas team played against Yale sphere, and you get to play with people you see every said. “I give two weeks for people to form
teams and sign up. We start competition o
day.”
and several others.
“You get to meet new people and have a good time,” third week of the term. The league runs abo
“They almost won the thing. We all got nice jack
weeks, sometimes longer when we have
ets, and they almost won a car! It was exciting. That he added. “There are lots of laughs and smiles.”
Woods said, “This term, we also have four basket teams and people do not get to play every <
was back in the late ’80s or early ’90s.”
“We also had a bigger budget, and I could actually ball teams, but they have been growing, and compe
LEFT: Freshman Bill West dribbles the ball during game time. The sign-up for intramurals in located on the intran
board in the lower level of Randall Hall.
ABOVE: Intramural players, left, wait to tag into the game while onlookers sit on the bleachers and observe. Accoi
to Woods, students are currently requesting to join because the games have generated interest.