Since youth, summer has been a season full of outdoor baseball and softball games — a tradition college students tend to continue with intramural and beer league softball.

But one ISU intramural sport seems to be more popular than ever, and it’s a sport that actually gets students out of the sun and onto the ice.

Intramural broomball has been one of the most popular intramurals at Iowa State during the regular school session. That popularity is what helps ISU Recreation Services offer it during the summer semester.

“The summer sessions of broomball are very relaxed and casual,” said Rob Christopherson, Recreation Services employee and referee of summer broomball sessions. “Most teams are there just to have fun and have something active to do after a long summer day of work.”

During the regular academic year, broomball draws students from all athletic backgrounds to the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. It has quickly become the highest in demand intramural sport at Iowa State, and in Christopherson’s opinion, that is no surprise.

“I believe it’s such a big hit with the students because it’s the most unique intramural at [Iowa State],” Christopherson said. “It allows students to portray many different sports, such as hockey and soccer, when playing, as well as the challenge of staying on their feet while playing on the ice.”

Christopherson said the challenge of playing on ice is another thing that draws students to the game.

“I also believe that this sport is so popular because students of all abilities and skill levels get to play with each other due to the fact that the ice serves as an equalizer when it comes to playing broomball,” he said. “There is nothing better than to see someone whiff on a ball and fall flat on their backside, especially when there is nothing else you can do but laugh.”

“The relaxed and non-competitive environment broomball shows is the overall fun for the players as well as the officials.”

And just like when students were little, broomball provides fun people at any age can enjoy.

Just be sure to stay on your feet and come prepared, not dressed in summer gear.

For more information on broomball or any other intramural sports, you can visit the ISU Recreation Services website at http://www.recservices.iastate.edu/.