As we head into the second half of the semester, intramural volleyball is starting up, much to the delight of Cornellians.
There are four intramural leagues– fraternity, competitive, recreational and women’s–each fielding teams of 6 players. The season lasts 6 weeks, from March 27th to May 8th. Registration is live and remains open until tomorrow evening.
How to start a team?
We reached out to some of the already registered captains to ask about how they made their teams. Some are part of groups that participate in many intramural sports, while others are getting involved for the first time.
Graduate Student Andrew Epps of “Green Space” created a team with other students from his program, Masters of Regional Planning. The team is a tradition within the program, and this year has competed in soccer and basketball in addition to volleyball. “There has been a legacy of fielding an intramural team in the program, so I am proud to be a part of the tradition,” said Andrew.
Alternatively, Krystal Dixon ‘24 found it easy to gather her roommates and friends to form a team. Calling themselves “Da benchwarmers,” Krystal’s team is participating in the recreational league, which is open to players of all skill levels. “Never having played volleyball, I really enjoy playing the sport in a low pressure environment with my friends!” said Krystal.
Director of Intramural Sports and Noyes Recreation Scott Flickinger stressed that “intramural sports is [sic] meant to be a more casual and social experience.” His department has sought to make the sport more accessible to all, though he “definitely understand[s] that there may be barriers to participation.”
Those who are worried about competition should play in the recreational league, which is designed “so participants can focus on playing and enjoying and not winning.” If the entry fee ($45-$55 per team, based on league) is an issue, “participants are free to reach out to our office and have that discussion,” says Flickinger. Further, he emphasized that volleyball has minimal risk, so students shouldn’t worry much about injury.
What are the benefits of volleyball, and intramurals more broadly?
Intramural volleyball “is a minimal time commitment to go out and enjoy socializing with friends, teammates, and other students to create a positive community,” said Flickinger. The volleyball captains we spoke to agreed.
Epps said that, “intramurals have contributed positively to [his] graduate school experience by offering an outlet to stay active and have fun. It is a scheduled excuse each week to step away from my schoolwork and turn off my brain.”
Hanzheng Li ‘23, Captain of “SlappDev,” said volleyball is “definitely a challenge that comes with the reward of anticipation.” Li’s team already works together on the project team Cornell App Dev, and volleyball serves as both a “bonding experience” and a way to have fun.
Flickinger also touched on the multitude of physical and mental benefits of intramurals, saying:
“Intramural volleyball certainly contributes to physical health, and we tend to see a greater benefit with mental and social health as well. Being able to gather with friends and have spirited yet casual fun increases social bonds and hopefully allows the participant to forget about scholastic pressure, even if for an hour.”
Besides the well-documented physical benefits, intramurals have been shown to help with mental health, stress levels, and academic performance. Students who participate in campus recreation are likely to experience boosts in happiness, confidence, and self image.
Several studies have found benefits for emotional health, energy levels, and stress management. A 2019 study found that freshmen who participated in intramural sports performed much better academically compared to their peers and were 40% more likely to become sophomores.
Opportunities for independently organized volleyball on campus:
Cornell has several locations where students can play volleyball, though it could invest in more courts on West Campus and do a better job disseminating information about availability. Most of the students we spoke to for this article were unsure of locations and availability for volleyball.
The Sand Courts on North are nearly always open during the non-winter months. Hidden behind Dickson Hall, the two outdoor courts attract Cornellians from all over campus, including grad-students, professors, and university staff. They are available on a first come first serve basis.
Courts are also available indoors at Barton Hall, Helen Newman Hall, and Noyes Recreation Center at certain times of the week. Barton has numerous hours that can be found online. Helen Newman retains volleyball hours on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Noyes holds volleyball hours from 11am-4pm on Saturdays.
The groups that use these courts often square off against each other, or mix and join together, balancing for skill and competing in a wholly self-regulated way. Games are quick, competitive, and deeply social. Volleyball becomes more than simple exercise or an activity with friends; it becomes a way to extend genuine connections throughout the Cornell Community in a way that transcends major, year, or social circles.
Finally, Epps had a closing thought:
“I just want to add that intramurals are a really important part of the student experience for a lot of students–undergrad and graduate. I’m really grateful to the Recreational Services staff and students who make it all possible. It seems like a really challenging thing to organize and keep going, but I hope it continues to evolve to give as many students as possible the opportunity to get involved.”
