By Valerie Edwards/reporter
The Collegian file photo
Intramural sports are in full swing on South Campus, and planning for the spring semester has already begun.
Basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, flag football and slow-pitch softball are all part of the South intramural program. Michael Daniels, health and physical education department chair, intramural director and sports club coordinator, is gearing up for the next activity.
Every three weeks, Daniels oversees a different intramural sport.
“Kids look forward to it,” he said. “If they can’t make it to play on a club or the “A” team, it gives kids the opportunity to play.”
Current students, faculty members or employees are all eligible and encouraged to play in intramural activities. This semester, approximately 136 participants registered among the three sports offered on South. But Daniels would like to see even more participate, especially women.
“Girls sign up for soccer,” he said. “But the other sports see more males playing.”
Those interested in playing coed basketball or slow-pitch softball can sign up now for the spring semester. Basketball registration ends Jan. 24, and the season begins Jan. 29. Softball registration ends March 21, and the season begins March 26.
As with all intramural sports, if enough teams sign up, playoffs will take place, and T-shirts will be provided to the winning teams, Daniels said.
A new and unique opportunity may present itself both for the players and the referees of intramural sports in the future, Daniels said.
“TCC pays for certified referees to call the games,” he said. “TCC offers a Sport Officiating class, and this could be an opportunity for the students in that class to learn and have the time [refereeing] counted as lab hours.”
Along with hands-on refereeing, students can learn how to set up and prepare for the individual sports, Daniels said.
Although the intramural program has been the backbone of sports on TCC campuses, Daniels said he is excited about coordinating a new South program: the Sports Club. With it, TCC students could play against other schools in coed tennis, men’s basketball and outdoor soccer.
“It’s a good extracurricular activity,” he said.
In addition to the elevated competition, students could seek financial assistance for four-year universities.
“The Sports Club has scholarship opportunities,” he said. “I will help to explore the talent and help them get their education paid for through their college career.”
All South intramural games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the SHPE gym or fields located on campus. Game times vary but are usually at 3:30, 4:30 and/or 5:30 p.m.
Those interested in playing should register on the intramural website at tccd.athleague.com. They can follow the step-by-step directions to complete the registration.
Additional information will be posted on TCC’s website or campus bulletin boards. People with questions or who are interested in being a volunteer coach can call Daniels at 817-515-4542.
