As a new batch of students arrive on UF’s campus this Fall, students will be looking to find new friends, hobbies and ways to stay active. While this task may seem daunting at first, UF RecSports offers a wide variety of intramural sports competitions that check off all these boxes and allow freshmen to find their footing on campus.
UF intramural sports are primarily divided into two competitive categories: league sports and flash tournaments. League sports feature three-to-five weeks of regular season competition, including a single-elimination postseason tournament for qualifying teams, while flash tournaments are typically one-day events.
League sports are separated into numerous divisions based on factors such as gender, level of competition and team schedules. Most competitions offered by UF RecSports feature both single-gender and co-rec leagues, as well as competitive and recreational divisions.
“I lifeguarded for canoe battleship and innertube water polo intramural tournaments, and it was pretty fun to watch everyone trying to figure out how to play,” said UF RecSports employee Parker Bloch. “[It] seemed like everyone was having fun, and they were pretty fun to watch too.”
Some of the leagues offered in the Fall include flag football, ultimate frisbee, 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 basketball, soccer and sand or indoor volleyball.
Teams can be formed based on fraternity or sorority alignment, residence hall assignment or any other grouping outside of the league. Individual competitors are also welcome to sign up as “free agents” and join an open team of their choosing.
As for the flash tournaments, UF RecSports offers numerous competitions that break the mold. Flash tournaments are held throughout the semester for popular video games such as Mario Kart, NBA 2K, EA College Football and Super Smash Brothers. One-off competitions for famous card games, such as Texas Hold ‘Em, have also been organized in recent semesters.
When a flash tournament is held, participants are either placed in a bracket or a pool of competitors, depending on the rules of the competition. From there, matches are held until the final champion of the event is crowned.
Intramural sports at UF hold all kinds of benefits that go beyond the field or court. These competitions provide opportunities for students to stimulate themselves both physically and mentally, and potentially find new hobbies and friendships along the way.
Jack Kuzmicki, a 19-year-old UF engineering sophomore said his experiences with these intramural competitions were some of the most important parts of his first year at UF.
“Club baseball has been a great way to meet new people and put myself out there as a freshman,” Kuzmicki said. “It gave me a chance to both make friends and continue to play the [sports] I love.”
One of the biggest concerns for new college students is where and how to make new friends and lasting relationships. UF’s intramural sports are one place to start this journey in a healthy manner.
Whether students are looking to stay in shape out on the fields of Southwest Recreation Center or hone their gaming skills with some extra reps on Mario Kart, UF RecSports is a good place to go.
Contact Jack Meyer at jmeyer@alligator.org. Follow him on X @jackmeyerUF.
Jack Meyer is a fourth-year journalism major and the Assistant Sports Editor for The Alligator. In his free time, he enjoys reviewing music, spending time with friends, playing video games and going to the gym.
