In Fall 2023 TJ Earle, sports management major, stood on the Ramsey field celebrating his team’s victory in winning the intramural championship in flag football.
Earle played sports throughout his childhood into high school, forming a love for football. He started working for the sports department his freshman year at WCU when he and his coworkers formed their team.
“It’s relaxing and it’s fun and it’s like a part of me. I’ve always been around sports, so I love sports,” Earle said.
Intramural sports offer students who can’t join WCU’s teams a way to still participate in their favorite sports.
“It gives students an outlet where they’re able to get their heartbeat going and be competitive and have fun with their community” said Josh Rascati, assistant director of sports program.
Rascati has been the assistant director of sports programs for over a year now. Sports programs staff are allowed to play, coach or referee intramural teams.
“I encourage my staff that even when they are helping run the program, they still get to engage and be a student,” Rascati said.
Emily Cohee, a health science major, coaches indoor soccer, basketball and indoor volleyball.
Cohee, like Earle, played sports all throughout high school and joined intramural sports her freshman year.
“It grows a community. Every major has its own community, every dorm has its own community. I think this just brings athletic people together” Cohee said.
Cohee has met many of her close friends from the teams she’s on, along with the opposing teams she plays against.
“It’s just about having fun and growing around the people that you know or people that you want to learn about. Intramural sports are about growth,” Cohee said.
Intramural sports are low stakes and do not require those involved to have previously played the sport they are on teams for.
“They’re not club-based where it’s really good people that have played their whole life,” Cohee said.
WCU intramural leagues currently offer volleyball, basketball, soccer, flag football, softball and pickleball. Every sport has a men’s, women’s and co-ed teams. This year intramural leagues are at 90% capacity this season with a total of 76 teams.
“We break our season or our school year up into four seasons. We’ll have before fall break and after fall break, then we’ll have before spring break and after spring break,” said Ty Smith, sport programs team lead.
Students are always encouraged to give intramural sports a try even if they have never played the sport to be competitive, make friends or gain new skills.
“Just do it. We enjoy having people there – There’s going to be competition, but most of the time we’re there to have fun,” Cohee said.
