MEAGAN CLEMENTS | staff writer

With change in the air for intramurals, interns Travis Harper and Ryan Gruss feel that an exciting, experimental and busy semester lies ahead.

Harper and Gruss were eager to get the ball rolling, adding dodgeball to the already full lineup of intramural sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and bowling. Games will begin the week of Jan. 28.

With flexible practice times, Harper feels that getting involved in intramurals is a great way to de-stress and make friendships.

“It’s an hour a week and you can let all your frustrations out on the court,” Harper said. “Even if you’re not an athlete, it’s one of the best ways to meet people.

If you’re wondering how you can get involved, there are several ways.

“We usually put flyers in all the freshman dorms, [and] all over east campus,” Gruss said.

And no one is turned away.

“Anyone can create a team or if you don’t know anyone, you can sign up in our office and we’ll put you on a team,” Harper said.

Although it is not mandatory for each team to have a coach, they must have a team captain.

Currently, over 60 percent of APU students participate in intramural sports, making campus life fun and entertaining.

“I think people are surprised at how fun and competitive it is,” Harper said. “People are surprised at how many different types of people, not just athletes take part in intramurals.”

Harper added that the goal for the semester is to increase competition and decrease injuries. Despite this goal, he is thankful that with intramural sports, it is not a win or die attitude.

“Some people do it just for exercise,” Harper said.

In addition, Harper and Gruss welcome student feedback and are optimistic about improving intramurals.

“The more experience [Gruss and I] have, the better the program will be,” Harper said. “[The goal] is not necessarily to build it up, but to sustain it and keep it going.”

Together, he and Gruss strive to build upon the program as a whole.

“We’re trying to build awareness for the amazing community that intramurals does bring to this campus,” Harper said.

As graduation approaches, Harper and Gruss are working hard to make the job of next year’s interns a little bit easier.

“We are currently trying to come up with a binder that future interns can go to for questions,” Harper said.

He and Gruss are also working to further communication via email as well as encourage students to register online.