For recent graduates and current students still desiring the elusive intramural championship T-shirt, summer intramurals are calling.

This summer’s first session of intramural games is officially underway, and most players have found them to be more accommodating than in the past. Participants now play in larger brackets, which translates to more games and thus, more opportunities to win.

“We just wanted to find something that everyone would show up for,” said Garry Greenlee, intramural coordinator.

The summer lineup includes men’s and women’s broomball, sand volleyball and coed softball for the first session. The second session, which opens for registration June 8, will include coed broomball, men’s and women’s 3-on-3 basketball and slow-pitch softball.

Greenlee said he picked the sports based on their popularity and their affiliation with the warm weather.

The last few years have seen the summer intramural program change greatly, as the two-session system came into effect about three years ago. Greenlee’s changes this summer are intended to bring more integrity and participation to the games.

“There’s nothing worse than dealing with forfeits,” Greenlee said.

The larger, two-sided bracket allows teams to not only play more games, but also have more chances to win a shirt with smaller sub-brackets. Even if a team loses in the main tournament, it will have additional chances at a championship in one of the sub-brackets.

The new format has been largely accepted by summer participants.

“It’s a benefit for sure if it cuts down on forfeits,” said Brett Seelman, senior in landscape architecture and sand volleyball participant.

The greater odds of winning a championship shirt over the summer are also appealing to participants.

“Heck yea, who doesn’t want a shirt?,” Seelman said.

Summer champions have the option of taking the current intramural championship shirt or waiting until the fall to receive the new shirt.

Summer intramurals are open to all summer students, as well as students who purchase the $36 continuing students pass, which includes access the outdoor recreation program and Lied Recreation Athletic Center.

Registration for the second session begins June 8. Calendars and other additional information are available under the intramurals tab on the Recreation Services Web site.