The Crier

What IM Sports Teach Us About Society

IM sports are a good “socio-athletic” study that encompasses a lot more than late-night games and hand-me-down jerseys

Meghan Fisher · Sport · Apr 10, 2007

Even if you can’t throw a ball any farther than you can throw a textbook, you can play Intramural (IM) sports at Michigan. And even if you know how to throw, you won’t receive any special attention. This isn’t kickball on recess — no one gets picked last, and everyone can play.

This system allows for a good “socio-athletic” study that encompasses a lot more than late-night games and hand-me-down jerseys. IM sports reflect who we are as students, as well as the way we live on the academic hard court.

There are two main groups of IM athletes, each with a very different approach to IM sports. Athletes in the first group are focused; success means victory. Members of the second group are more carefree. They’re happy as long as they’re having fun.

These two groups mirror a division between students on campus. First, there are those who know what they want to do with their lives and work diligently in pursuit of that goal. Others are less sure of their desires. They make the best of their time at Michigan, even if they’re not certain what the time is for.

But success is a relative concept. While one student might study for an entire weekend, their classmate might spend the time volunteering. In the end, both students will value the way they spent their time.

Petty behavior reflects poorly on everyone. Aren’t these the same people you’re cheering with on football Saturdays?

Within both groups is another driving force of IM sports: competition. Although no stranger to athletics or academics, competition is important because of the way it manifests itself in student behavior.

Whether positive or negative, this behavior goes largely unrecognized because there aren’t coaches, parents, or fans watching IM sports. Student officials are generally the only source of authority, which means that sportsmanship is almost entirely self-enforced. In this environment, individual actions can be very revealing.

The positive response to competition is good sportsmanship. Opposing teams shake hands, offer help to fallen opponents, and exchange compliments during play. Most importantly, mutual respect is given even when it isn’t enforced.

Likewise, the negative response is poor sportsmanship. It only takes one player taunting or playing roughly, and all athletes involved will respond as if they were battling an enemy flag-football contingent from Ohio State. This petty behavior reflects poorly on everyone. Aren’t these the same people you’re cheering with on football Saturdays?

These responses to competition are not at all very different from those that we see in the classroom each day. In academics, positive responses to competition are shown by a willingness to work with peers, discuss difficult topics, and share constructive insights. You don’t have to write your classmate’s paper, but you can offer sound advice when if they’re having trouble.

Unfortunately, rewards aren’t always based upon who we are on the court or in the classroom.

But some students avoid helping classmates, plagiarize, and cheat. These types of behavior show a desire for a strong GPA while neglecting the actual goals of education. Just as in athletics, this sort of behavior decreases classroom morale, as well as the amount of respect that we hold for our peers.

Unfortunately, rewards aren’t always based upon who we are on the court or in the classroom. The team that gave you a black eye might win the IM championship, and the kid who wouldn’t share his lecture notes might ace the test.

IM sports, like college classes, won’t last any longer than it takes you to graduate. But when they start to stay things about you that a standardized test won’t, they become a lot more than just another way to exercise. It’s never just one game. It’s who you are — which matters long after you stop playing IM sports.