Intramural sports are back at Waynesburg University for the school year, with the first sport being volleyball. Intramural sports have been slow to rise in popularity on campus over the past year; however, Kevin Thacker, assistant director of the Student Activities Board and men’s basketball assistant coach Zach Stevens plan to provide an opportunity for students this year to have some friendly competition with volleyball over the next few weeks.

Stevens expressed why it is essential for there to be intramural sports on campus.

“It’s a way to bring the campus community together,” Stevens said. “It gives kids an outlet outside their classroom or their daily schedule to go out and get some physical activity and connect with some friends and have some fun, healthy competition.”

Thacker summarized his experience with intramural sports from when he was in college.

“I did basketball,” Thacker said. “I was an outdoor track athlete, and in the winter, I did basketball with friends.”

Thacker commented on what he is hoping to see from intramural volleyball.

“I am looking forward to seeing the students of Waynesburg build a community for intramural sports,” Thacker said.

Stevens also spoke about what he is looking forward to seeing in the upcoming weeks for intramural volleyball.

“Try to draw up as much participation as we can get, let the students know that intramural sports are here and available,” Stevens said. 

Dean Shazer, a senior who was on the team that won Waynesburg’s intramural basketball tournament in the spring of 2024, shared his thoughts on intramural sports being on college campuses.

“If your university doesn’t have intramural sports, then they’re failing the students; and if the students don’t participate, then the students are failing the university,” Shazer said. “People want to stay active, and the easiest way to get students to stay active is by providing them opportunities like intramural sports.”

Intramural volleyball will start on Monday, Sept. 15.