254 ORGANIZATIONS INTRAMURALS ARE HERE TO STAY Intramural sports continue amid new safety guidelines. Although University athletics were postponed in fall 2020, intramural and club sports continued. In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, Harding shifted all intramural sports outside. The fall schedule included softball, soccer, flag football, a new coed sand volleyball tournament and some additional weekend games. While players were allowed to compete without facial coverings, as determined by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, spectators were instructed to wear masks and remain six feet apart while watching games. Tom Ritchie, director of recreation programs, said as soon as they heard students would be returning to campus, conversations arose discussing how to keep intramural and club sports around safely. In addition to spectators wearing masks and keeping their distance, Harding implemented weekend tournaments to minimize travel. “Because of COVID, we want to keep everybody on campus as much as possible,” Ritchie said. “So if we provide activities, we are hoping that people will stay around.” Not only did Ritchie say he was excited to be adding weekend tournaments again like in the past, but staying on campus would help build a safer community for our faculty and students. Sixteen teams signed up to play coed sand volleyball, which Ritchie said would be a popular sport. Additionally, moving all sports outside helped reduce the spread of sickness and opened new opportunities for students. Ritchie said he believed the sand volleyball courts were underused until these changes were made. Sophomore athletic director for the women’s social club Ko Jo Kai Jordan Huffman said she thought the new guidelines would help the campus stay safe as long as students followed them. “If we follow the guidelines, yes, I do think it will help,” Huffman said. “We’re following the guidelines, and, really, everyone I see is doing what they’re told.” Huffman was excited to see everyone having the opportunity to keep doing what they love while staying safe. Senior athletic director for men’s social club Sub T-16 Reid Pace said he was excited for the changes, new opportunities and ways to continue playing sports despite the numerous changes made on campus. “I’m just happy that we’re playing sports,” Pace said. “I’m happy that everything is, seemingly, going as normal.” Ready, SET, go! Intramural volleyball players pass the ball on Sept. 8, 2020. Students were able to socialize as a community during intramural sports. | photo by Stanley Morales story by Ava Galyean
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