Joseph Stanziani
Staff Writer
With the start of a new semester comes the start of a new sports season, and that statement couldn’t be more true for the intramural sand volleyball league. This year the league forms 38 teams from different fraternities, sororities, clubs, department, staff and students around campus.
Emily Walker, assistant director of wellness/intramural sports and facilities, is the one in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly for all the intramural sports teams on campus. Because the league encompasses 38 teams from different areas of the college, it is one of the more popular intramural sports Florida Southern offers at the school.
“I think we have 40 teams,” Walker said. “Which is pretty good considering I think our average in the past used to be 20 … so we’re on the higher end and it’s pretty nice to see.”
The league’s spike in popularity may have begun with the COVID-pandemic, which was the only intramural sport offered during the pandemic, but its appeal still remains strong.
In the past, intramural sports at Florida Southern College focused on friendly competition with classmates rather than regional competitions with other schools. However, this year, students can look forward to seeing their intramural sand volleyball league compete regionally and at championship tournaments. With colleges and universities all around Florida Southern, the sand volleyball league doesn’t have to go far to find some competitive competition.
“With Lakeland having three schools here, I think it’s a great opportunity to kind of look at them,” Walker said. “I think, you know the community, and we all do the same thing and who doesn’t want to say that they … are the best intramural team of these certain schools.”
Regarding possible changes the league might make this year, Walker stated that most of the rules will stay the same aside from the jewelry policy. In the past, the jewelry policy prohibited players from wearing jewelry on the field, however, the league now eased down on their no jewelry rules. This means that players may now wear rings, bracelets and other accessories appropriate for the sport. Other rules can be found by contacting the Nina. B Hollis Wellness Center.
Regarding signups for intramural sports, including sand volleyball, students can follow the Wellness Center’s Instagram @fschwc. The Instagram page posts schedules, events and other activities regarding intramural sports. Students can also just show up to the games, meet current players and talk to staff.
A student can also join as a free agent. This means if a student isn’t associated with a team, they can join as a “free agent” so intramural staff can place the student on a team.
Playoffs for the sand volleyball begin Sept. 18, with championship week to be determined. Champions will then hit the court at Florida Polytechnic Institute Oct. 24 to declare the best in the region.
