Harper Robertson
Special to In Motion
When Daytona Beach Community College opened in 1957 it also began offering intramural sports, which even then ranged from ping-pong to open gym.
Today, among the many sports offered are foosball, board games, flag football, soccer, tennis, basketball and sometimes even hermit crab racing.
Every one of these extracurricular activities are available to any student with a desire to get involved with something new or reconnect with an old passion.
Ping-pong championship runner-up Ryan Sandidge says to prepare for the tournament he played ping-pong daily for anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours.
“I loved to play, but I don’t play just to play, I play to win,” says Sandidge, who majors in business when he isn’t swinging a paddle.
To him, it’s exciting to compete for prizes and, especially, to show off in front of his peers.
Ping-pong isn’t the only competitive intramural sport offered by Daytona State College. Melissa Sam is a representative of the basketball team and not only does she play intramural, but she also plays for the college’s women’s team.
“My favorite thing about it is that I get to do what I love every day and I will never take it for granted,” she says, adding that basketball offers a unique opportunity for athletes to meet new people, share a common interest, and eventually bond through friendships.
Sam has been playing basketball for six years now and carries her passion as a small forward and power forward from her high school career into her college career. She puts the same effort into her intramural team as the official college team. Between both teams, she practices basketball every days, seven days a week.
Although Daytona State College’s intramural teams don’t get to face competition with other schools, they go head-to-head for three verses three or six on six in basketball. When three players match up against three other players or six on six, players learn to work cohesively with each other, both physically and verbally.
Joining one of these teams is a full-time commitment, but well worth the two hour practices twice a week and the pressure of game day, say participants. For the most part, these sports run year-round, however, flag football and soccer begin in September and run throughout the remainder of the fall season.
Those who are more interested in tennis or soccer, can participate all year around whenever they feel like joining.
Morgan Arcia has had a foosball table in her house since she was five and grew up playing against her sisters. With this spirit of competition in her blood, it only seemed natural to start competing at DSC during her lunch hour.
“I love playing foosball because of the quick reaction time needed to outplay and outlast my opponent,” she says.
Anyone watching her can understand exactly what she means when she emphasizes the importance of a quick wrist flick and the value of intramural sports.
She says, “I can’t encourage it enough for all students to get involved with intramural sports. We are so fortunate to have these provided to us and I don’t understand why more kids don’t take advantage of it.”
For practice times and locations please contact Lori Lemoine, the coordinator of co-curricular activities, at 506-3486.