Intramural sports pickleball, futsal on tap for October

BY PEYTON THOMAS / VN STAFF WRITER

As the new school year begins to pick up, the fitness center has unveiled its schedule of intramural sports and activities for October.

Registration for intramural sports is currently taking place.

The events are free to all Detroit Mercy students, faculty and staff. 

“Intramural sports are a great way to meet new people, plus you get to play some of the sports that you love,” said 19-year-old nursing major Maxx Martin.

The first scheduled intramural event is the pickleball tournament on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m.

Pickleball combines elements of racket sports such as tennis, badminton and ping pong.

The court is a lot smaller, the rackets are wooden and the ball is a combination of a whiffle ball and a racquet ball.

But besides that, the rules are similar to pairs tennis, with two teams of two players competing for bragging rights and some fitness center merchandise on the line.

“It’s a unique and fun game that everyone should come out and try,” said Joe Lifshay, a student employee at the center.

The futsal league will begin Monday, Oct. 22, with a registration deadline of Oct. 18.

Futsal is a form of soccer that can be played on the hardwood floor of the center.

Even if it’s not a genuine pitch, it is a great way for students to join in teams of five and compete while showing off their fancy dribbling.

The league will play every Monday and Wednesday with playoffs following the regular season.

On Nov. 1, center will hold a euchre tournament at 7 p.m.

This goes along with the usual lunchtime euchre that occurs every Thursday at noon all semester.

For students not familiar with the card game, visiting one of the lunchtime euchre sessions is a great way to start learning.

Finally, later events in November include a dodgeball tournament on Nov. 16 and three-on-three basketball on Nov. 30 to be hosted on the center’s courts.

Aside from futsal, registration for all sports is open until the beginning of the tournament on its starting date.

Sophomore Emily Rolf is among many students who believe in the benefits of intramural.

“Intramurals are a great mental break,” she said. “It’s a good distraction away from all the school work I have.”