The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 41, Ed. 1, Monday, February 21, 2000 Page: 4 of 6
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m
Page 4B
Sunday February 20 2000
Intramural program provides competition for students
Chris Smith
Sports Writer
Byron Patterson and hts room-
mate Blake Smith wake up 6 a m
three days of the week
The sophomores run one mile
around campus and lift weights for
an hour before going to cltss
They arc not on the ACU football
team or any other scholarship sport
Three mornings a week Patterson
and Smith exercise for more than
their well being they want to be in
the best shape possible for intn-
mural sports
The Balhnger naties want to
help their club team Gimma
Sigma Phi win the oerall intra-
mural championship
Patterson prc-tmjor and Smith a
biochemistry major arc two of
many former high school student-
athletes who participate in intramu-
ral at ACU
ACU is one of many uniersitics
in the United States that offers an
intramural program for college
students
Tfeday however university intra-
mural programs are not just
attempting to provide non-colle-giate
competition for students Thc
strive to provide the best competi-
tive atmosphere they can
Students have found a competitive
outlet without having to participate
1
in collegiate sports
Three thousand students partici-
pate in ACU intramurals through-
out the) car
Like hundreds of other Colleges
and universities ACU offers sports
on different levels of competition to
accommodate us students
Many of these students ck an
athletic forum that challenges their
competitive spirit and provides an
opportunity for them to compete
on the varsity level they were accus-
tomed to in high school
After becoming director Danny
Kittlcy has midc changes in that
direction
"We expanded our format from
last vcar to offer students who
want to play certain sports a
chance to play" Kittlcv an ACU
alumnus said "Intramurals means
competition "
Intramurals has been the place for
students to find intense competition
on campus without having to play
collegiate sports
"When it comes down to higher
lev el club games that is what I want
to be in" Patterson sophomore
biology major and former all dis-
tnct offensive lineman for Balhnger
High School said
Club and non-club leagues have
recreation and championship divi-
sions that allow students to com-
pete with other students on their
levels
"The levels of intensity arc high
and low" Kittley said "Players
decided what they want the more
intense the better"
Herbert Buckner sophomore
Bible major from Houston said he
enjoys showing his competitive
spint
"1 like to compete and win" said
Buckner "I get upset when 1 lose
you arc not having fun unless you
"This is for athletes who are seri
ous about playing and winning"
Kittley said
After taking over the intramural
program in the fall of 1998 Kitlleys
No 1 goal has been to offer as many
competitive sports to students as his
resources allow
Throughout the year students
have the opportunity to partici-
pate in major sports Intermedi-
ate sports minor sports and
"We want to provideja. .competitive Christian atmos-j
phere that is excmplified.by the athletes'-ihehavioroni
tncjiciaanacourt.;zm jrt ma
.-v;
arc winning
Buckner a member of the mens
social club Phi Beta Epsilon played
varsity football and ran track at
North Shore High School
Competitive players like Buckner
get a chance to display their talents
beyond ACU
Teams that win the championship
divisions in major sports earn the
opportunity to compete against
other colleges at the national tour-
nament Kittley said
Club and non-club teams partici-
pate in four major sports basket-
ball football volleyball and Softball
tournaments
Twenty-four sports comprise the
yearlong itinerary Within the last
year Kittley has added arm
wrestling track and field and
womens waterball
Competitive students have
responded by participating in both
the new and traditional sports
Kittley said yearly intramural par-
ticipation has doubled to 67 percent
of ACU students since he took over
in 1998
With the increase of sports avail-
able the intramural department has
tried to keep up with the demand
for facilities and officials
"We have decent facilities but we
need better facilities to take Intra-
murals to another level" Kittley
said "It is going to happen because
ACU is growing everywhere in the
dorms classrooms and sports facili-
ties Right now is adequate
though "
Some students may think entry
fees go toward facilities but entry
fees only cover the cost for officials
and equipment
"I thinK they can use a little
improvement on the facilities espe-
cially the football fields which have
holes in them" Buckner said
Fees help intramurals pay for
more referees for each game and
better equipment for the athletes
As the level of competitiveness
goes up having well trained officials
allows the players to concentrate on
the game and not the officiating
"Having the best trained officials
provides a safer environment" Kitt-
ley said "We want to make intra-
murals fun to watch "
Many competitors say intramurals
are worth the money
"I feel teams are getting to play the
most games for their money" Pat-
terson said
Entry fees depend on the type of
sport and number of games
League winners receive T-shirts
and club teams earn points toward
their team standings . sf I
Kittley said the intramural depart
ment is making strides toward giv r
ing students what they pay for 1
"The intramural department has
doubled the number of game
teams play in the preseason" Kittle?;
said "lam trying to get sponsorfti'
soccer and sofiball and oner mori
prizes for the winners Every little
tit helps
Competitiveness is a natural pail
of human nature and the ACt
intramural department strives t(
meet students' needs '
Competitiveness is an important
part of athletics as well and ACU
intramurals provide the opportllriV
lies that some colleges do not '
The athletic fire students had In
high school does not have to tlij' '
there ' '
Students have the chance to
participate in the most compcii'
tive non-scholarship athletics oi('
campus and use the best facilities
possible
The intramural department e'en1 '
tinucs to strive to provide the mo4l '
competitive Christian atmosphch
for students '
"The competitiveness is the full
part" Kittley said "We want to pro-
vide a competitive Christian aimoV
phere that is exemplified by the nth-'
letes' behavior on the field ltul
Track team continues to perform well
Canishka
Stuart
Caribbean
Beat
Since the 1950s the ACU track
and field team has made outstand-
ing accomplishments
Emer Gray Stadium standing far
from the campus" center has wel-
comed and forbade many athletes
who've competed on its track as
w ell as fans vv ho v e witnessed ACUs
records broken and made in its
stands
The Wildcats continue to perform
well with automatic and provision-
al qualifications toward nationals
each year leading them to capture
NCAA Division II indoor and out -door
championship titles
The men have already claimed six
of seven indoor championships and
the women 11 of 12
Still other athletes have gone on to
represent both ACU and their coun-
tries in the Olympics some of
whom will compete in Sydney Aus-
tralia this summer
The athletes' motivation defies def-
inition but perhaps they have some
inner motivation - an inner motiva-
tion that allows them to dream and
fulfill those dreams
The mynad NCAA Division II title
banners atop Moody Coliseum
boast of their talents and perfor-
mance The pictures accompanied
by accomplishments that line the
coliseums wall capture ACUs Hall
of Fame athletes
The athletes continue to rise
despite being plagued with mjuncs
and frustrations
The track and field team is one of
the most influential sports at ACU
because they have endurance and
determination They have coaches
to motivate them - coaches who
were once athletes themselves and
understand their difficulties
The main thing that distinguishes
such a team though is the way they
carry the name Wildcats - a name
that is recognized and respected
among Division I and II universities
alike -ACUs Wildcats
HaroLcTs
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LET US TELL
YOUR PARENTS.
SO YOU
PONT HAVE TO.
Keep them informed
with a $40 subscription
to The Optimist
Birthday cards are your job.
Student name:
ID:
Parent's name: '
- v v
Parent's address:
Return form to ACU Box 27892.
I -I- L a
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 41, Ed. 1, Monday, February 21, 2000, newspaper, February 21, 2000; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101644/m1/4/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.