" ... to provi~e stu~ents who ~on't want to compete on an intercollegiate level the opportunity to compete with each other in athletics. " J im VII Wt'1£ " As a gra~uate stu~ent, it gives me a great opportunity to get to know other stu~ents an~ to buil~ frien~ ships. " 1 erry 8eMle), The men's intramural program has been an imponant part ofcampus life si nce Harding opened its doors in 1924. Intramural direcro[ Jim Gowen said, "Intramurals have been a part of Harding since Harding began, but it wasn't until the 50s that they became a major part of tbe athletic scene. Actua lly , the intramural program is much older than the intercollegiate system." The men's intramural program ran throughout the school year and was open to all male students enrolled at Harding. On average, 60 percent of the student body was involved in more than 20 sports. According to Gowen, that is much higher involvement than at most universities. The program provided opportunities for students to become involved in a variety of sports and athletic contests. Although many students participated in club sports, tbe in· tramural program allowed them to be involved regardl ess ofclub affiliation. Gowen, wbo bas been working with the program for two yea rs, said the purpose of intramurals was "to provide S(U - . -- .- ------ --~- -- Program focuses on friendships dents who don't want to compete on an intercollegiate leve l the opportunity to compete with each other in athletics. " In addition to Gowen, four intramural assistants and two graduate assistants worked w ith the men 's intramural program. Senior Rick Blair worked as an assistant. "I rea lly enjoy working with intramurals. I get an opportunity to do activiti es that I enjoy, and it's not a really hard job," Blair said. Assistants aided" in the set-up and take-down of equipment and ensured that re ferees arrived on time and all rules were followed. "Sometimes we will come in early to set up volleyball nets or have to stay late to take them down ," Blair said. Senior ChadJoice also worked as an intramural ass istant. He sa id his job was "making sure things run smoothly." "I just reall y love sports and through working w ith the intramural program, I get the opportunity to not only be involved, but to get to know people in a variety of clubs and from all across cam· pus," Joice said. - - Gradua te assistant Terry Beasley has been involved with intramurals since his freshman yea r at Harding and has been working on the intramural swff for five years. Beasley was attracted to the program because of the respect he saw among students towards the intramural program. He said he agrees with Joice that the tcue reward of being involved is getting to know other students. "As a graduate student, it gives me a great opportunity to get to know other students and to build friendships. Even though I just oversee what is going on and don't actually play, I get a chance to meet people," Beasley said. According to the assistants and Gowen, the main reason studems were involved was to meet other students. Gowen felt that the program was about more than just sports and competition, and that while the program has grown over the years, fun has remained the primary focus. "The competition is imporram, but just having fun is also imporram," Gowen said. - Scott Loftis Senior Scott Burcham watches while seniorMall Bittle strokes one 10 Ihe infield. Many sludenls competed to eam points/or an intramurclljackel. Photo by Kristi Burns. Sports 233 t1iJ!
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