Dodgeball, an epic Intramural Sport at NGU
Whitley Bras, Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Kenzie Webb
People engaged in an intense game of dodgeball: (left to right) Bryce Allen, Josh Moore, Abby Malcom, Luke Raines
Dodgeball is a game of strategy, filled with fast-paced movement and the challenge of getting all of the members of the other team out. Many players consider it be a fun and exciting game, while others think of it as frightful and painful.
No matter your opinion on the sport, North Greenville offers dodgeball as an intramural activity for students. The season started in January and the first game was played on the 29th. The final match will be held in the Hayes Gymnasium on February 19th at a time to later be determined.
There are three approved teams that have competed in this season’s intramural dodgeball league. The team names include: “The cool guys”, “Ole Glory” and “Dodge these balls.” The team captains for these teams are Jason Person, John Mark Trainer and Abigail Malcom.
When asked why he, along with his teammates, wanted to play intramural dodgeball, Trainer replied, “We love to participate in intramural sports and we love to play dodgeball.”
When Malcom was asked, she said, “We wanted to play because our goal is to participate in every single intramural this semester and see how well we do in each one.”
No matter the reason people have for playing intramural dodgeball, North Greenville offers the activity because they want to allow for a community outside of academics. North Greenville University’s purpose statement for intramural sports is that “The Office of Intramural Sports desires to provide opportunities for students to compete against their peers in a friendly and structured environment while building competencies in the areas of teamwork, communication, emotional control, and physical health.”
Intramural sports at North Greenville also have student experience outcomes that include being able to have a sense of increase in overall wellness that is evident in their physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual domains as well as being able to participate in a manner that is deemed appropriate and within the lines of sportsmanship and the rules of the given sports that they are participating in.
When asked about the outcomes that they have experienced playing intramural dodgeball, Malcom says, “One thing that our team has gained from playing dodgeball is learning how to work together as a team…. It helps our communication skills with each other by planning out a strategy before the game starts.”
When asked what he and his team have gained playing intramural dodgeball, Trainer replied, “We have gained a very strong friendship.”
Playing intramural dodgeball offers many unique experiences and allows for the opportunity to fellowship with one another. In the prospect of gaining more interest in the activity, Malcom encourages non-players by saying “It’s just a game. It’s purely for fun, and if you win then that’s just an extra bonus.”
When encouraging others to get involved with the activity, Trainer says, “Play. It is a lot of fun. And you will make many friends.”
Therefore, no matter if you’re athletic or not, intramural dodgeball is always looking for people to sign up. It’s a fun activity to get involved with and will allow you to make friends along the way. The final game will be held in the Hayes Gymnasium on January 19, so keep an eye out for the released game time and we hope to see you there.
