The after-school intramural program has been a large success in the past few years at Prep and gets many students involved. Each year, many different intramural events are put on thanks to Mr. Schreffler, Prep’s health and physical education teacher. These events range include volleyball, handball, and a variety of different basketball events.
Intramurals is a way to get the students not involved in extracurricular activities an opportunity to play sports after school. Each event starts around 3:15 p.m., and lasts until around 4:30 p.m.., depending on which sport is being played at the time.
Intramural sports after school also builds up the brotherhood of the students at Prep who are not in the same class. For example, a group of seniors may have a team in the 3-on-3 basketball intramural competition. These seniors can play against freshmen, sophomores, or juniors, and even be on the same team as them. It does not matter the class. Everyone is having fun and building up friendships with students they may not get to interact with in the classroom.
Teachers can also get involved in intramurals as well. Mr. Hubert, an English and journalism teacher at Prep, often gets involved in the basketball intramurals after school. He spoke about a couple of reasons why he enjoys intramurals.
“As a faculty member, I like that intramurals gives me a chance to get to know students outside of the classroom context,” he said “Likewise, I think it humanizes us for the students, showing that we have interests and talents beyond the courses we teach. Secondly, I enjoy the competition. Ever since I began as a teacher at Prep in 2012, the faculty has fielded a competitive intramural basketball team. Going against students half our age is a fun challenge, and I hope my legs will hold up to allow me to continue to participate for many more years to come.”
Mr. Schreffler has been running the intramural program for the past two years, taking over for the retired Mr. Alexa. He has a great bond with many students and loves to get students involved.
“At the end of the event/tournament, the students talk about how much fun they had,” he said. “That’s what it is all about, student enjoyment.”
Senior Thomas Swanson began to get involved in intramurals playing 3-on-3 basketball this past week.
“I think it’s a great experience to have some fun with the guys,” Thomas said. “It also allows me to prepare my body for a big CYO season for the Jude’s Dudes.”
This year it is not too late to get involved, whether you are a senior getting ready to leave for your next chapter in life, or a freshman just getting started. Keep an eye out for the emails from Mr. Schreffler with regards to upcoming intramural events.
“Get involved,” said Mr. Hubert when asked for advice to those not in intramurals. “In addition to competing in the various intramural sports, students can also get involved as a scorekeeper or referee. Every sport is not for everyone. Anyone who has seen me golf knows that. But find an intramural sport that you enjoy and sign up. If the sport you enjoy does not currently exist, talk to Mr. Schreffler about adding it.”