Social club intramural sports were split into three self-categorizing divisions. 0 n any given night of the week, the Ganus Activities Complex or intramural fields could be found filled with beaux and queens supporting their clubs during intramural games. Beginning in 2016, the intramural process went through changes in order to provide an optimal arena for equal competition and to create a sense ofcommunity amongst all clubs. In the past, clubs were split up according to the number of members. They were previously separated into large, medium and small categories, and during the 2017-18 school year, the medium classification was cut, with each club being divided into the large or small categories. In fall 2018, the intramural process changed, separating sports into first, second and third divisions, and it was up to each club to decide in which division they wanted to compete. Some clubs started their A team in the third division, while others started their A team in the first division. This way, each club, small or large, was able to put their players where they believed they would play best. It also opened the door for more diversity within the competition field and removed the large and small club divide. "I feel like [this change] gets to bring clubs closer together cause you get to play different people, and it's really exciting," sophomore Alontis Andress, athletic director for women's social club Delta Gamma Rho, said. "The other day I was watching a volleyball game between [men's social clubs Beta Omega Chi and Chi Sigma Alpha], and who knew Chi Sigs was so good at volleyball? It's like you get to see other people's talent, and I like it." Assistant Professor, Director of Recreation Programs and Sports and Recreation Management Coordinator Tom Ritchie said that the change to the intramural process started when new men's social club Theta came to him saying that they believed they had the talent to compete against large clubs even though they only had 16 members ar the time. Ritchie said many of the men came from larger clubs and wanted to stay within rhat level of competition. After making rhe changes, he said the response was mostly positive, and that by allowing the clubs to choose where they thought they fit best, everyone was able to play at the level they wanted. "It's worked out well, I think, because you have a larger club up there in the first division and the second division, third division," Ritchie said. "When you get down to rhat fourth division, one of our smaller clubs is winning the division. Well, it's their A team playing against [a] larger club's D team. It tends to level out, and I think that's good." Senior Cole Hull, athletic director for Theta, said the changes were mostly positive and might change the way club sports were viewed overall. "I was in [men's social club] TNT last semester, so I knew everyone in the large clubs," Hull said. "I had friends in [men's social clubs Gamma Sigma Phi and Sub T-16] and a bunch of other clubs that I played against. If I got to play against people in other clubs, I'd meet more people, and it would just be more fun. It would expand my scope of Harding." story by Kayla Meeler Member ofwomen's social club Zeta Rho junior Olivia Knott goes up for a block against member ofwomen's social club Delta Gamma Rho senior Chase Mangrum in an intramural volleyball game on Nov. 29, 2018, in the Ganus Activities Complex. The women were both on their club's A Team for volleyball and were working toward the championship game which took place the followingsemester. I photo by Sterling McMichael Sophomore Carson Rodgers kicks the ball during the men's social club TNT E Team game at the intramuralfields on Aug. 28, 2018. TNTplayed against the Sub T-16 E Team and won 3-2. I photo courtesy of Benjamin Bueno 71 I SPORTS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==