Many people choose to play intramural sports, and for good reason. Playing intramural sports is a great way to network with other people, relieve all the built up stress from a hectic college life and build confidence which is key in life.

“Anytime you can play sports with your friends it’s always fun,” said the coordinator of intramural sports, Russ Jones. “Intramural sports at Iowa State provide students with a great opportunity to meet friends and relieve stress. In a college environment it is important to build chemistry with your peers and in sports building chemistry on the field carries off the field.”

Chemistry is huge when it comes to not only being a college student but being human. People are naturally social it’s part of being human. If deprived of social interaction or limited interaction side affects like depression and weight gain become obvious.

“Intramural sports forces you to meet other people and you have to bond with your teammates to accomplish a certain common goal, winning,” said Junior Nate Bucsko. “I am serious about intramural sports because I am a competitive person, but also there is no better feeling than winning and celebrating with your teammates.”

A study in 2010 done by the American College of Sports Medicine conducted a study on how being active is beneficial to humans. When you exercise the production levels of your brain chemistry goes up. The feel good chemicals in your brain are released: serotonin, dopamine and phenylethylamine. A more familiar term may be “runners high”.

Not only can intramural sports build confidence, make you feel better and get to know people; Intramural sports can help your grades.

“Playing intramural sports forces me to make a set schedule so I can get everything I need to get done, finished and on time,” stated sophomore student Adam Grimm.