Looking for a fun way to get involved and show some school spirit?

Try joining an intramural sports team.

There are several choices at the University of North Florida: flag football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, racquetball, ultimate Frisbee, dodge ball and tennis.

Photo by Frank Donato Members of an intramural rugby team do push-ups as they participate in their first training session of the spring season on the intramural fields at the University of North Florida.

After that, you are on your way to being on a team.

Once you’ve picked your sport, it’s time to get on a team.

Students can look for intramural-related materials online.

“The easiest thing to do is check out the Web site at www.unf.edu/recsports,” said Colin Turey, assistant director of recreation.

On the Web site, students will find a list of all the sports available for the semester and will be able to download a team entry form.

There are also captains’ meetings that students can attend.

If students cannot make the captain’s team, then they can e-mail Turey to try to find a team.

If students have no teams, then they can be placed on a free agent list, which is passed around to captains, and more than likely the student will be picked up by one of the teams.

If a team does not pick up the students on the free agent list then a team can be made out of those students.

The teams are not only open to students, but faculty and full-time staff as well, so everyone can come out and play.

“The thing I like about intramurals, is it’s fun to be with your friends, and you get to meet a lot of people,” said Jerry Barthelus, a junior majoring in sociology.

Perhaps the most popular sport at UNF is flag football. Since UNF does not have a football team, this is the closest students can get and they don’t have to be a pro athlete to play.

In the past, the co-ed team has won national titles, so this is definitely a team that has winning potential.

Dodge ball is another sport that might catch a student eye. This is new to the intramural sports family.

Dodge ball was not promoted much this year, but Turey said to be on the lookout, because the department is planning to offer it again.

All teams have the option of being men’s, women’s or co-ed, so you can join whichever team students feel is the most comfortable for them.

Some believe that intramural sports is about having fun and participating in school activities.

“I encourage all students to come and participate,” Turey said. “You don’t have to be athletic or the best. Just come out and meet new people. Your fees pay for it. It’s not just for jocks, it’s for anyone.”

Some see an additional benefit — it keeps many of the students who play active and out of trouble.

“It keeps me off the streets,” said Andy Dunscombe, a senior in advertising and intramural basketball player. “It’s also a good way to meet people that are interested in basketball or something.”

Contact Ann Pahlic at uspinnak@unf.edu.