At SUNY Cortland is the intramural playoffs for students competing in Basketball and Volleyball began April 10th. Currently teams are competing for a spot in the finals.
Intramural sports is a community that brings friends together weekly to embrace sporting events for those who aren’t division three athletes.
Cortland, through IM leagues, informs students when and where their sporting events are taking place and have come together to create a bracket for students to analyze their route to the championship.
Connel O’Neil, a junior at SUNY Cortland, works as a ref for the intramural program and has seen first- hand the glory of victory as well as the devastation of defeat once the playoffs come around.
“The kids that play care,” said O’Neil “Many of the kids playing intramurals used to play in highschool and take pride in their ability. I’ve seen kids cry after a tough loss, although it may not sound serious, these kids want to win and enjoy these seasons.”
O’Neil said that these games boost morale for students and give them something to look forward to through the stress of work and school, giving those who may not be a full- time athlete the opportunity to play a sport they enjoy.
O’Neil said that he has a basketball team of his own and loves the comradery of playing alongside his best friends each week.
There is an entire operation going in order to run these games weekly, said O’Neil. Games tend to start at 7:00 pm and run until as late as 11:00 pm taking an entire cast of refs and staff to maintain a well- run environment.
Aidan Mcguigan is a sophomore at SUNY Cortland who is a member of both a volleyball and basketball team, gearing up for the playoffs with his friends. For both sports, Mcguigan made the playoffs, making it past the first round for both tournaments.
“It’s a lot of fun. Once you’re in the playoffs it feels like a real atmosphere, nobody wants to lose. Playing alongside your friends with your backs against the wall is what makes it special,”said Mcguigan. “It’s not the commitment of a club or varsity sport, but it’s enough to have something to look forward to each week, bringing your friends together in pursuit of a win.”
The intensity changes once the playoffs start, after a season of 10-12 games. Fans of teams will show up for the anticipated matchups where the competition improves, packing the gym with more people than usual, fueling more tension for the players.
Ryan Albin, a sophomore volleyball player, had high hopes for his team entering the playoffs. Albins team entered the volleyball tournament and handled the first round easily. However in the second round his team drew the number two overall seed.
“The teams at the top are legit, carrying players that had high school experience.” Said Albin
“The number two seed played like they were one of the best teams. Our team hung with them but they ultimately sent us home in three sets.”
Jacopo Melchorri is another intramural player who is on both basketball and volleyball teams. Melchiorri is an exercise science major, taking the bulk of his science credits this semester.
“For me intramural sports are perfect. I love the two sports I play and throughout the week study for class. Having little obligation to my team until gameday, aside from that I am a student full time, said Melchorri. “ It offers a great balance of sports time and still focusing on my studies and exams.”