The thud of rubber on wood, the cheers of a crowd, and the shrill call of the referee’s whistle are just part of the experience with intramural basketball.
Intramural basketball is one of the most popular intramural sports and takes place twice a year–during Block 4 and Block 6. It is one of nine different sports students can participate in throughout the year. Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach and Gameday Operations Coordinator Zach Schlabaugh is the staff director of the program.
“I feel it is very important for students to be active, have fun, and be a little bit competitive,” Schlabaugh said. “Intramural sports are the perfect way to combine the three.”
Each sport and season goes through the same process. Tabling occurs during the first week of the block, allowing students to raise awareness and sign up teams. Gameplay starts after the first week of the block on Sunday and continues every week until the final Sunday before block break, when the championship game happens.
Although Schlabaugh organizes and sets up each event, he says this is really a program by students and for students. Each year, the intramural program has student supervisors. This year’s student supervisors are Kyla Andrew ’28, Elliot Cooney ’26, Leila Velez ’28, Kisa Waddy ’28, and Elliot Cooney ’26.
“I wanted to help the college,” Cooney said. “I run the games and do things like keeping score, refereeing, and setting up the times.”
As an intramural player, students can sign up as individuals and get assigned to a team, or they can sign up as full teams. Student-players come up with their team names and decide on a practice schedule. Most teams choose to wear matching colored shirts, although teams can go as far as to make team jerseys. At the end of the season, winning brings bragging rights.
Schlabaugh participated in off-season intramurals as a college student and is happy to be a part of keeping this opportunity available on the Hilltop.
“Friendly competition is a great way to develop friendships and get out of your comfort zone,” Schlabaugh said.
For those students who aren’t ready to pick a sport and commit to being a player, cheering on your fellow Cornellians is also an option.
The second round of IM basketball is up next. Tabling will happen the first week of Block 6, with game days occurring on Feb. 15, Feb. 22, and March 1. Students can email Zach Schlabaugh or one of the student supervisors with more questions.