Recharging your batteries - part b

I have always been a huge fan of intramurals here at Goshen. I grew up in an active family and have always had active friends, so joining impromptu games of soccer or volleyball is just second nature. While I am athletic to a certain degree, I don't have the dedication or desire to play a collegiate sport; intramurals seem like the perfect solution. Unfortunately, during my freshman year of college, I was not able to participate in any intramurals until after Christmas break. I was recovering from knee surgery and had not been cleared by my doctor to participate in anything that was remotely competitive.

Since that point I have participated on two indoor soccer teams, two indoor volleyball teams, two basketball teams, and one outdoor Frisbee team. Currently, we are wrapping up an indoor volleyball season. While the beginning of the season was a bit rough, we are actually doing quite well. My experience on this team exemplifies one of the reasons that I enjoy intramurals so much: getting to know new people and interacting with others in a different manner than usual. I didn't even know everyone on my team at first, though we have some friends in common. It has been fun to get to know them both while we are playing, but then also seeing them around campus.

Another reason that intramurals are important to me is because of the physical release that participating in sports provides. Volleyball isn't this way so much, but playing basketball or soccer and then coming back to my room tired and sweaty is a feeling that directly contrasts and counters the sleepy-eyed exhaustion experienced after spending too many hours studying in the library.