I was lucky enough to be introduced to intramural sports my junior year at BU. It all started when my roommate asked if I wanted to play softball, since her team needed an extra player. I loved the energy and camaraderie that I signed up with the same group for softball, floor hockey, AND broomball my senior year. From what I’ve experienced, recreational activity is a great way to relieve stress and to meet people outside your everyday social circle. Also, I’ve come to learn important life lessons since joining intramurals.
1. If You’re Not Early, You’re Late.
It’s better to show up to a game early in case there are any last-minute changes. Your promptness also shows the captain that you care about the team. In a professional setting, your arriving to work early shows dedication and loyalty. Your co-workers and manager will appreciate it even they don’t say it.
2. Be Open To All Types Of Personalities
An intramural team can be made up of friends, but other times a team can have people of different age groups and backgrounds. Some players can get very emotional or frustrated when things go wrong. Some people may be shy and soft-spoken and others may be pompous and have no filter. Being on an intramural team teaches you how to deal with clashing behaviors and apply teamwork.
3. Play Fair
In some sports, there are only a few rules to follow. There’s no point in cheating your way to the top. If you’re in a small playing field, nothing goes unnoticed. Your actions not only affect you, but also your team. Think smart. Play smart. Win smart.
4. Believe In Yourself
If you’ve played the sport or have never heard of the sport, you have nothing to lose if you play your best. In any sport, it’s good to follow through rather than play halfway. At your job, your manager may give you a challenging assignment. At first glance you’re terrified and immediately begin to doubt your skill set. Trust yourself. It’s best to work hard at something rather than doing nothing at all. Follow through.
5. Don’t Get Worked Up Over The Little Things
Whether you strike out, make a bad pass, or miss a goal, it’s OK. It’s not worth getting upset over and losing focus. Making mistakes is part of the game and part of life. You learn from your mistakes so that you don’t make the same mistake twice, ideally.
6. Listen, Then React
It’s tempting to cheer for anything to show that you’re invested in the game. If you’re new to the game, invest some time in field research. You can learn a lot about the game from watching how people work the sport and react to plays. There are instances when you want to break the rules and do something your own way. In certain work situations, listening is powerful.
7. Ask Questions
In intramural sports, there is no such thing as a stupid question. The referees will explain why they made a call or will repeat the rules for all to hear, including the intramural veterans. Whether you’re 90% sure or have no clue about something, ask anyway. You will gain something and someone else could too.
8. Support Others
In the end, sportsmanship is the name of the game. If a player swings and misses, show some moral support. If the opposing team makes a good play, a small clap means a lot. At a work event, it’s a common courtesy to applaud a co-worker on his or her presentation whether you agree or disagree with the information. Recognizing your team and sending seasonal greetings to your department is always a nice gesture.
9. Don’t Be Afraid To Fail
On game day, you never know how things will play out. If you’re team is losing by 5 points, stay cool and collected. The best thing you can do is give it your all until the end. Don’t stress because there’s always another game. In a work environment, you might have to take risks. If the end result is not what you expected, try, try again. After all, tomorrow is another day.
10. The Benefits of A Social Network
At the end of the season, you grow into a team player. After several nights of small talk, you learn a lot about people from their political views to their aspirations. A teammate and colleague could be a key contact one day. Your lives crossed once. They could cross again.