Intramural schedules were scattered on the desks, flag football T-shirts decorated the walls, and old intramural newspaper clippings hung from jumbo bulletin boards.

Walking into the intramural office reminds a lot of people of being at a hometown YMCA. There are so many activities with which to get involved.

Intramural sports are free activities in which students and faculty can participate. There are 49 activities in the intramural program.

A canoe race was held Saturday, the first since 1987.

Intramurals coordinator Garry Greenlee said it is hard scheduling a day for the race.

“The problem is finding a weekend where it’s not Labor Day, not a home football game and not too late in the semester,” Greenlee said.

With 46 canoes, 93 people participated in the event.

Texas Hold ‘Em is a poker game in which students seem to be extremely interested. In the tournament Sunday, 279 people participated.

Students wishing to get involved in intramurals and who live in the residence halls or greek houses should contact their intramural manager to get information about signup deadlines. Flyers are also posted around all the dorms which show upcoming intramural events.

Mark Gross, freshman in pre-architecture, said he plans to sign up for intramural tennis.

“I’ve been playing tennis since I was 8 years old, and I think it would be fun to play here,” Gross said. “I have not looked into any other intramural sports yet, but I will later.”

Gross played tennis for his high school team at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids and said he is going to play both singles and doubles matches.

Students who do not live on campus just have to get a team together and sign up for the sport they wish to play. Teams can sign up at 2220 State Gym.

Playing intramurals is also a good way for students to socialize with other students and to make lasting friendships, participants said.

One of the largest intramural teams in flag football last fall consisted of 14 girls, who all plan to play again this fall. This flag football team was extremely competitive. They called themselves “DaBand,” and the players ranged from sophomores to seniors.

“DaBand” won the flag football championship last fall. La’Nesha Clayton, senior in exercise and sport science, was one of the players on the team.

“We were the champs last year, and we plan on winning it again this year,” Clayton said. “Playing intramurals is fun, and it’s a good way for us to spend time with our friends.”

Most intramurals activities are free. Students at Iowa State pay recreational services fees as a part of the activities fee.