In a game of campus basketball, those responsible for intramural activities are the point guard oblivious to the waving arms of teammates calling for the ball.
Edward Williams, director of residential life and student activities said students are eschewing traditional sports in favor of more modern and less physical activities. And while their reported turnout would ostensibly confirm this, the excitement found in staff polling begs to differ. A whopping 80 percent said they would like to participate in intramural activities.
More students than ever have enrolled for class. How is it that we are unable to support these once-popular activities?
We believe Residential Life and Student Activities and others could use a lesson in advertising.
An informal scan shows several campus bulletin boards bereft of fliers or other items touting the events. Web postings are nonexistent.
And before we assume a lack of interest in traditional sports, we must consider students such as Henderson freshman Bo Doss, who said Tyler Junior College’s thriving intramural program nearly lured him to KC’s chief rival. Doss said he loves football and could have enjoyed it through TJC’s intramural teams despite not being a collegiate athlete.
Students who enjoy flag football, softball and kickball are resorting to city and church leagues in Longview.
Funding is set aside from general education sources, and Williams said he would find ways to make things happen budgetarily if activities were to experience a boost in participation.
Bulletin boards, supplying information to The Flare and a Web presence could all greatly benefit KC’s intramural program.
These sports and activities help foster school spirit and strengthen bonds between students.
We concede this could truly be caused by a generational shift between traditional and modern pastimes, but before we give up our gym shorts for D-pads, we would like for Williams and company to do a better job at getting the word out.
The money and support are there, and we’ll try do our part, but now the ball is in their court.