Starting in the spring, Kent State University’s Department of Recreational Services will begin offering faculty and staff exclusive intramural leagues in their team sports.
The intramural leagues that Recreational Services currently offers are open to Kent Campus students, faculty, staff and their spouses. In the upcoming spring semester, Recreational Services will introduce leagues strictly for faculty and staff.
Phelan Fletcher, intramural sports and youth programs coordinator for Recreational Services, says that there has been a push from faculty members to create wellness opportunities exclusive to them.
“One reason faculty and staff may have requested a separate league is to create a more attractive level of competition and recreation between teams,” says Fletcher.
Recreational Services considered timing of intramural games in deciding to offer employee-only leagues.
“Some of our regular league games don’t start until late. So we want to offer earlier times for the faculty/staff leagues so that they can have their evenings to spend with their families,” Fletcher says.
Faculty/staff-only leagues will be available in the spring semester in basketball, softball, volleyball, 4-on-4 flag football and indoor soccer. Fletcher says that participating in these leagues provides a good alternative for faculty and staff members to engage in physical activity other than working out.
There also is a social aspect to Kent State employees participating in these leagues.
“For faculty and staff to play on teams together or to compete against each other is a fun way to get to know their colleagues outside of the office,” says Fletcher.
Justin Khol, residence hall director of Koonce Hall, has participated in intramural softball with his co-workers for the past six semesters and says the faculty/staff-only leagues would appeal to him.
“Playing in these leagues would allow me to network and make connections with other people across campus. It’s one thing to build relationships with people via email, but it’s another thing to compete against them while having fun,” Khol says.
For more information about Kent State’s Recreational Services, visit www.kent.edu/recservices or contact Fletcher atpfletch3@kent.edu.